Omaha daily bee., 1916-01-15
YICTORIANO HUERTA
DEAD IN ALIEN LAND
Former President of Mexico Sue
oumbs After Illness and
Imprisonment.
MAY BE BURIED SOUTH OF LINE


NIctoriano Huerta. former provi-
sional president of Mexico, died at
his home here at S;S5 o'clock last
night.
General Huerta, who succeeded
General Francisco |. Madero in ex-
ecutive power in Mexico City. and
later left Mexico, died of sclerosis
of the liver. He was surrounded by
his family when the end came. His
death was expected. Funeral ar
rangements are to be made tomor-
row, it was announced at his resi-
dence tonight. 1t is believed an eff
fort will be made to arrange his
burial in Mexico.
4 Profess sona. .,OIdicr.
General Huerta was a professional SOL
der, and as such he had, up to the over
throw of President Francisco Madero,
heen known for his loyal support of
existing governments.
Born at chihuahua in 1854. he entered
the military academy of Chapultepec at
II and passed through the full course to
graduation in 1875, when he was commits
stoned second lieutenant of engineers.
Porflrio Dlaz was aided in his organiza-
ton OF the Mexican army by Huerta.
Huerta saw much active service. In
1901 he left the staff and took command
Of the infantry m the campaign against
the Yaqui Indians. He participated i'm
subsequen. Yaqui campaigns and also i'm
the campaign in Yucstsn against the
Maya Indians. As a reward for his In
81. a..l=
of brigadier general.
Put Down orozco Rebellion.
Huerta commanded all the detached
government forces in the state of Guer-
zero at the beginning of the Madero revo-
luton. Huerta led the army sent against
Orozco and was in command at the battle
Of Bachimba. For this service he was
promoted to major general. Because Of
an affection of the eyes he did not take
part in the suppression of the first up
rising led by General Felix Dias.
In the second Felix Diaz revolution,
which resulted in the overthrow of the
Madero government, Huerta was imme-
diately called to active command as the
senior ranking general then in the capital.
lie escorted Madero from Chapultepec
castle to the palace on the first of tho
ten days fighting and was placed in en-
tire command of the forces of the gov
eminent. He directed the government
troops during all the subsequent fighting.
and the conduct of these operations led
TO severe criticism on the part OF Ma
dero's friends.
Huerta was the moving spirit in the
contamination of the plot that resulted
in the seizure of the person of President
Madero and his brother Gustave.
Becomes President.
Huerta took office as provisional presi-
dent ON February 49, 1913. Three DAYS
afterward Francisco Madero, one of his
brothers who had been arrested with him
and Jose Maria Pine Suarez, vice presi-
dent under Madero, were assassinated
while riding under. guard from the palace
to the penItentiary.
Tho crime aroused a storm of indigna-
ton throughout the United States In
many quarters there were demands for
intervention, but President Taft, who was
on the eve of leaving office, decided TO
take no action which might commit the
incoming administration of President VIII
son.
President Wilson refused to recognize
liuerta, though recognition had been
granted by Great Britain. At the same
4iio CarFauza. ir1,ol nor Of Goa hula; a nd
Francisco villa declared against Huerta.
Ambassador Henry Lane Wilson was re-
called. In August President Wilson sent
John Lind, former governor of Mime
sofa, to the Mexican capital as his per-
sonal representative. Mr.. Lind presented
certain proposals to Huerta, chief of
which was that the provisional president
should resign and permit a national cleo
ton at which he would not be a candi-
date. Huerta peremptorily rejected these
proposals
The Mexican congress grew FESTIVE and
one senator attacked Huerta in the cham
ber He promptly disappeared and when
his colleagues demanded an investigation
Hnerta marched a body of troops into
1.-THE hall of congress. seized 10 deputies
and threw them in jail.
His next step was to cali an election at
which only Huertistas were allowed to
vote, with the result that he was declared
president, with General Banquet, vice
president
American warships were dispatched to
Mexican waters and a large number OF
troops were concentrated on the border.
The constitutionalists advanced from the
north, defeating the Huerta troops in bat
In April a party of American blue
Jackets was seized at Vera Cruz and
thrown into jail. Huerta refused Presi-
dent Wilson's demand for formal salute
TO the Stars and Stripes as reparation.
On April u American bluejackets and
marines landed at Vera Cruz in force and
occupied the city after some street fight
ing In which number of Americans were
killed
- shortly afterward a mediation proposal
was made by Argentina, Brazil and Chile
ana accepted. Conferences were held at
Niagara Falls. but brought no decis. We
result.
Lenve~ Mexico.
Huerta resigned July 4 and left Mexico.
He went to the West Indies and later 10
Spain. In April, 1915. he came TO the
United States. He left New York osten-
sibiy for San Francisco. He was arrested
in New Mexico June z. charged with try
ing TO foment revolution in Mexico. He
was released on bond and rearrested al
El Paso. He was held In custody until
he was permitted to go to his home in
El Paso because of illness. His illness
grew more serious and his death followed
He was indicted the day before his death