The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-12-30
HUERTA,DEFIED
U. s., MAY DIE
ITS PRISONER
Ex-Dictator of Mexico,
Broken in Spirit. Mortally
iii in Fort Bliss.
DISGRACE OF ARREST
RUINED HIS HEALTH

WAsHrNoroS. Dec. 29.-The belief
that Gen. Victoriano Huerta is suffer-
ing a mortal Illness hrs resulted from
reports received at the Department OF
Justice as to his condition.
Gen. Huerta lies closely guarded in
an officers home on the reservation at
Fort Bliss. FL Paso. Tex. His strength
Is gone and his spirit broken. The
Attorney Generals desire to ascertain
the condition of his health resulted
from a request that he be released on
bail pending his recovery.
As a result of the inquiries made by
the agents Of the Government at Fort
Bliss the belief has gained ground that
one OF fates ironles is likely to be con-
summated In bringing about the ex-
dictators death in Imprisonment under
the Government which he Haunted with
such high bravado in the early days
of President Wilson's Administration.
The exact cause of Hu-r;u's Illness
has not been given in the reports which
have been laid before the Attorney =
General. All of them agree that he is
seriously" and critically" i'll and that
no fear for his escape need be enter
ta!led II his release is permitted at this
time.
Too Much strong Drink.
Early reports had indicated that
Huerta had suffered from the effects
of too much alcohol imbibed both he
fore and after his arrest at FL Paso
last summer. These reports recall tn.
stories which came 20 the United States
IN the days when the Huerta regime
at Mexico city was tot;ering. which
described midnight parties in the cafes
of the Mexican capital and one In par
ticular which ended with n long drive
In one of the parks in the Presidential
limousine during which the dictator
drank freely from a bottle OF his favor
tie cosnIc.
The strong body and iron will Of the
ruler who was able TO iesy the wishes of
the United States for so long a time hay.
been broken, either by the excesses or by
the humiliation Of his confinement The
reason why n request In now made for
the withdrawal of the Department OF
justices Guard from his bedside is not
10 permit his removal to more agreea ble
quarters. but merely 10 relieve the mind
OF the old soldier ot the displeasure
caused by the fact that he is constantly
under guard. lie has told his friends
that he II never permitted TO II. alone
even TO receive visitors.
While no formal announcement was
made by the Department OF Justice to-
day as to the decision reached q regard
10 the request for his release on bail, IL
was understood that the guards will be
withdrawn temporarily and that no bail
viii he demanded for this accession of
liberty
The old man is so III that the Govern
ment officials here have no fear of his
escape from the military res.rvat ion. nor
do they believe II physically possible that
no should attempt to leave th. officers
quarters. where he has been lodged for
the past several months.
The story OF Huerta's mlsadventur.s
since his arrival in tho United states
nearly year ago is pathetic one
When he was finally compelled TO bow
to President Wilson's dictum "Huerta
must go and To retire from Mexico city
ne went 20 Spain. where he dwell: for
several months with his family among
friends OF earlier days.
Last spring he decided to return TO
the United States and he took ,p his
residence on Long Island. Department
or Justice secret service agents watched
him closely from the first. They knew
OF reported activities of his former
friends In comforting with German agents
and before very long the Attorney Cen
eral was receiving reports indicating
that the former dictator vas consider
ing the practicability of returning to
his fatherland for new effort to gain
control of the governmental power.
Hucrta Closely Watched,
Evidence that Hucrta was permitting
himself 10 become involved in the plans
OF the German agents to create a con-
d.tion In Mexico which might necessi-
tate Intervention by the United states,
and thus divert from the Entente Al
lies the shipments of munitions they
had ordered In the United States, caused
hsents of this Government TO keen him
under the closest surveillance
Finally he was arrested at FL Paso
and charged with having contemplated
an insurrectionary expedition into Mex
leo IN violation OF the neutrality laws
of the United States He was guarded
FOR "A time In the residence OF his daugh- |
ter at El Paao and might have been |
released on bail without opposition from
Washington had he 40 desired
He was frightened. however, at re-
ports that attacks might be made on
him by agents of Carranza and villa |
and demanded that he be accorded the |
protection of the United States Govern !
ment. This demand resulted In his in |
at Fort Bliss. where he had |
the quarters OF an officer and was
guarded by deputy United States mar
shals.