The Kenna record. (Kenna, Roosevelt County, N.M.) 190?-1924, 1914-05-01
BY N. c. ADossIDEs,
War Correspondent In Mexico and

ano Huerta was the head of Madero's
federal army, and so exceedingly hos
tile to the representatives of the press
was he that he issued orders for the
arrest of many and used means at his
command to hamper the efforts of
others.
One correspondent, Gerald Brandon,
was imprisoned and sentenced to
death, but was released.
At Torreon, where l first met him,
the commander-in-chiefs quarters at
the Hotel Francia were two doors
away from my room; l dined at his
table and, unwelcome guest that was,
found him exceedingly suave and po-
lite.
l saw him so intoxicated that Off
GERS had to assist him to his apart
ments, and sober, reticent and frigid,
l saw him in the brotherly embrace of
Pancho Villa, praising him for his
fidelity.
once asked highly educated Mex
lean officer if Huerta were a really
able military man. do you know"
he answered me, "the French proverb,
Dams lie royaume des aveugles le
borgne est lie roi?' Cn the kingdom Of
the blind the one-eyed man is the
king. Well" he continued, I'VE have
no great strategist nor great military
genius in Mexico. Victoriano Huerta
is, however, the best officer in our
army; he is man of great tenacity
md etran 9th Of oh ara ctar aud ha NOS
sesses the qualifications necessary to
a successful dictator"
Something Like Diaz.
Huerta is much the same type as
Portirio Diaz, more Indian than Span
ish in blood, appearance and traits.
Educated In the military academy of
Chapultepec and having no influence
at his back, he advanced slowly to
the foremost rank of Maderos revolu-
tionary army. In that capacity he
shone, undoubtedly, for he could in
epire his forces with confidence and
fighting spirit
And now when he is provisional
president of the Mexican republic 1t
would be unfair to consider him as a
puppet and figurehead. He is perhaps
the strongest man In that republic and
a man who will strain every nerve to
retain his position and solidify his
achievements. He is a man with a
keen sense for a crisis, and he is a
clever manipulation of possibilities.
With the vision of his crushed ar
mics and his own power depleted by
the successful constitutionalists in the
North, hampered by the nonrecogni-
tion of this country, he is the kind of
man to take gamblers desperate
chance.
He sees his own salvation in a war
with the United States He hopes to
behold his present enemies. the con
stitutionalists, rallying to preserve the
national honor. With the united fac.
tions he hopes to resist the hated
"Gringo."
He hopes for the time when there
will no longer be federals and consti
tutionalists, but Mexicans defending
Mexico and Huerta.
1t almost seems that he is more
afraid of Villas victorious army than
of an imminent blow from the exas
perated American nation.
Thinks Victory VIII Be Easy.
Chicago.-Coming direct from Tam
pico, the scene of the insult to the
American flag, Don B. White, q
wealthy oil operator, who has lived in
Mexico for twenty years, arrived in
Chicago. Mr.. White knows personally
both Victoriano Huerta and zapata
the rebel terrorizing the south of the
devastated country. He talked graph
ically Of conditions in Mexico and the
possible outcome of the war.
''If the United States acts quickly
and sends large army down there al
once" said Mr.. White. then the wal
won't last long. because they will lay
down their arms with fear. But there
must be decisive action and 1t mus
be done quickly.
"Huerta-I know him personally
He can't possibly raise more thar
5000 real soldiers and to conquer hin
would require scarcely more than mere
toying.
But the hardest fight the United
States army will have will be in th'
state OF Morales, which IL controlled
by zapata. zapata IL the Aguinalds
of Mexico. British, ignorant and In
human. he Il an Indian about thirty