The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1914-07-31
Killing Of Madero MarkeI Benin
ming of DespotiSn..
MADE VAIN BOAST TO TAFT
Dictator Declared He Would Restore
Peace at Once, but Refusal Of
United States to Recognize
Him Assured His Downfall.


Three days later Madero and Jose
Maria Pine Suarez, vice-president,
were shot to death while on a mid.
night ride under guard from the pal
ace to the penitentiary. The precise
manner Of their death has never been
explained.
One of Huertas first acts as provi-
sional president was to telegraph Will
lam H. Taft, then president of the
United States, the following message
Il have the honor to inform you
that | have overthrow the govern
ment. The forces are with me, and
from now on peace and prosperity will
reign"
PRovokES CIVIL WAR.
The Mexican republic, however, was
at once plunged into civil war again,
Notwithstanding the issuance by
Huerta of proclamation of general
amnesty The Sonora state congress
officially repudiated the provisional
government before Huerta settled
himself comfortably in the presidential
/ chair
Zapata, revolutionary leader to the
south of the capital, after negotiating
a few days with the new regime, went
back to his guerrilla campaign.
Salazar, one Of the highest generals
| in the army, denounced Huerta.
Carranza, constitutionalist leader In
| Chihuahua, assailed Huerta in a bitter
statement made public at San Anto-
MO.
Francisco Villa announced himself
an adherent of Madero and Joined the
northern army.
Pasqual Orozco of the clan of the
northern revolutionists was the lone
notable figure among the disaffected
who declared for the new government.
TAFT LEAVES PROBLEM.
President Taft, nearing the end OF
his term, left to his successor the
problem of adjusting diplomatic rela-
tions with Mexico. To Woodrow Viii
son Huerta sent Fluctuations on the
\ day of the American presidents In
/ auguration.
Hampered at the outset Of his ad-
ministration by the refusal OF the
United States to recognize him, Huer-
ia soon faced growing difficulties IN
raising funds to run his government.
His uneasy hold on affairs was weak
ened by minor constitutionalist vic
tories in the north and by recurring
rumors of a break with Felix Diaz,
nephew Of Porfirio Diaz and Huerta $
ally in the overthrow of Madero.
HuERTA CALLS ELECTION.
May l Huerta announced that he
gould urge congress to call elections
/ N October to choose his successor.
che congress selected October 20 as
the date of the election, and decree
tu that effect was issued by Huerta
/ June 3.
Feliz Diaz, who had announced him.
self as a candidate for the presidency
was sent to Japan July II.
Henry Lane Wilson, American am
bassador, was recalled to Washington
and Nelson O'Shaughnessy, charge
d'affaires, was left in charge OF Amer
| lean interests in Mexico.
REJECTS PEACE EFFORT.
Early in August it became known
that President Wilson intended tc
send John Lind, former governor OF
Minnesota, to Mexico as his personal
representative in an endeavor to ar
range basis for the republics peace
Huerta announced that he would moi
tolerate foreign interference
Nevertheless Mr.. Lind delivered his
note from President Wilson.
Huerta rejected all proposals made
by the American government, chic
of which were the suggestions thai
he resign and not be candidate cleo
ton day.
Relations between Mexico and thu
United States became acute. Presiden
Wilson proclaimed his policy in an al
dress before congress to which wa
attached the correspondence between
Mr.. Lind and the Huerta admintstra
ton.
HuERTA ARRESTS DEPUTIES.
Huerta was attacked in the Mexican
senate October by Senator Domin
guez, who had the hardihood to speal
what was in the minds OF himself ant
some Of his colleagues. Dominique
disappeared.
The chamber Of deputies adopted
resolution calling for an investigation
To this Huerta's reply was dramati
and swift He marched a column o
troops to the deputies chamber
seized 10 of them and threw then
into prison.
Through Mr. o'shaughnessy tn
United States made representation
against violence to the imprisone'
deputies
| In the election campaign certain II
fuence close to the dictator worke
FOR hia return to the presidency, wit