The Ordway new era., 1914-05-01
SAYS HUERTA Will
FIGHT TO FINISH
Mar Correspondent Describes
Mexican Dictator as a Man
of Iron Will.
MORE INDIAN THAN SPANISH
Perhaps the strongest Man In the Re-
public, Though Not Military Gen.
ius-WIlIIns to Take oambIsrs
Desperate Chance.


ius-WilIIns to Take oambisrs
Desperate Chance.
sy N. c. ApoesIDEs,
War Correspondent In Mexico and Stu
dent Of Conditions There.
During my stay in Mexico Victori-
ano Huerta was the head OF Madero's
federal army. and 80 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 first met him.
the commander-in-chief's 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.
saw him 30 Intoxicated that ofh-
GERS had to assist him to his apart
ments. and sober. reticent and frigid.
j BdW ulul Suo DIokAOiiy ~
Pancho villa. praising him for his
fidelity.
once asked . highly educated Mex
ican officer II Huerta were a really
able military man. "Do you know"
he answered me. the French proverb.
Dams le royaume des aveugles le
borgne est le roi?' Cn the kingdom of
the blind the one-eyed man IL 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 q man of great tenacity
and strength Of character, and he pos
sesses the qualifications necessary to
. successful dictator"
Something Like DIaz.
Huerta is much the same type as
Porflrio Diax. 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 Madero's revolu-
tionary army. In that capacity he
shone. undoubtedly. for he could in
spire his forces with confidence and
fighting spirit. f7&
And now when he IL provisional
president Of the Mexican republic It
would be unfair to consider him as
puppet and ngurehead. He is perhaps
the strongest man in that republic and
q man who will strain every nerve to
retain his position. and solidify his
achievements. He Is q man with a
keen sense for q CRISIS. and he is
clever manipulation Of possibilities.
With the vision of his crushed ar
miles and his own power depleted by
the successful constitutionalists In the
North, hampered by the nonrecogni-
ton Of this country, he 10 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, ralIying 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.
It almost eeems that he is more
afraid of Villas victorious army than
of an imminent blow from the exas-
perated American nation.
Thinks Victory VIII De Easy.
Chicago-Coming direct from Tam.
pico, the scene Of the insult to the
American nag. Don B. White.
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.
'Tf the United States acts quickly
and sends a large army down there at
once" said Mr.. White, then the war
won't last long. because they will lay
down their arms with fear. But there
must be decisive action and 1t must
be done quickly.
"Huerta-I know him personally.
He can't possibly raise more than
5000 real soldiers and to conquer him
would require scarcely more than mere
toying.
But the hardest fight the United
States army will have will be In the
state of Morales, which is controlled
by Zapata. Zapata Is the Aguinaldo
Of Mexico. British, ignorant and In
human, he Is an Indian about thirty