The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1916-01-14
Soldier, Scientist and Provisional
President He Ends An exile
From Mexico II
OPERATION FAILED TO SAVE
Grim Old indian Fighter Under
indictment As Plotter Against
~ united States -
tA..Ooiatsd Press BY Federal wlrsl...., |,

Ell PASO, January 14.-Gen. Victor.
iano Huerta, former provisional presi-
dent of Mexico, held here under arrest
by federal authority and indicted
Wednesday for violation of American
neutrality laws died last night after
an illness Of several weeks. An op.
Grafton was performed some timo ago
in the hopes Of arresting the ailment
from which the exiled Mexican leader
suffered, and another operation was pro-
posed. R ~ ...a.
General Huerta was professional
soldier, and as such he had, up to the
overthrow Of President Francisco Ma.
dero, been known for his loyal sup
port of the existing governments. He
fought Loyalty for President Porfro
Diaz until his fall, and when Diaz was
no longer chief executive, Huerta
fought for Francisco de la Barra, the
provisional president. After Francisco
Madero was elected Huerta found it "a
be his duty to support one who had So
long fought esca rebel fIis loyalty
was not challenged until the Felix Diaa
revolution in Mexico City in February,
1918, when the Madero government was
completely oyerthrown and Huertt. him
self elevated to the presidency
Chose Military Career . ~ IT,.
Huerta devoted himself TO the mill
tary career at very early age. BorT
at Chihuahua in 1854, he entered tn,
military academy of Chapultepec ut tn,
age of sevent zen and passed through
the full course to graduation in 1878
when he was commissioned second lieu
tenant Of engineers. During his aca
demie term he was known for his pre- Ii
lection for scientific studies, particu
larly astronomy and mathematics.
When Porfirio Diaz began his reor
gan cation of the Mexican army, Huer
ia was promoted captain of engineer
and while holding this rank deyise(
the plan for a Mexican general stat
corps. He was an active member Of
the military map commission, sreateC
to draft q staff map of Mexico on !,
large scale, and he had charge Of al
the astronomical work of the commits
sions leading exploring and surveying
parties over the widest regions Of tn,
republic. 10 *
Dur ng the ensuing years Huerta saw
much active service, In 1901 he lef
the staff and took command Of the In
fantry in the campaign against tn,
Yaqui Indians. He participated il
subsequent Yaqui campaigns and ais,
! in the campaign in Yucatan against tn,
Maya, Indians. As reward fer hi
Indian service Huerta was given tn,
rank Of brigadier.general and one,
more detailed to the general staff.
Failed To Support Madero
In the second Felix Diaz revolution
which resulted in the overthrow of tn,
Madero government Huerta was imme
diately called to active command as tn
senior ranking general then in the cap
| ital. He escorted Madero from ChapuI
topoc Castle to the Palace on the frs
of the ten days fighting and was plac
ed in entire command of the forces O
the government. He directed the gov
ernment troops during all the subse
quent fighting, and the conduct Of thes
operations led to severe criticism OF
the part Of Madero 5 friends. 1t wa
charged that he did not carry out tn
| operations with any spirit, that he dis
obeyed the commands Of President Ma
dero, and that before General Blanque
entered the city it was this conferenc
which sealed the fate of the Maderoi
Huerta was the moving spirit in tn
consummation of the plot that resulte
in the seizure of the person of Presiden
| Madero and his brother Gustaye.
The assassination of President Ma
dero and his brother followed and i
the meantime Huertay with the militar,
behind him, had been recognized as tn
provisional president. His governmen
failed to win American recognition
however, and the pronounced hostilit
Of President Wilson led TO his over
throw, with Carranza, Villa and Zapat
in the field against him. I'd
He fed to Europe, returning fey
months ago TO the United States. Here
according to charges against him, h
plotted return to Mexico and was al
rested, with number of other alleget
plotters, y 49,. 81.