The Mena weekly star. (Mena, Ark.) 1904-1977, 1920-10-21
PLANS ECONOMIES
FOR HIS COUNTRY
President Huerta Of Mexico Works
Out System to Establish Credit
Abroad by Cutting Expenses.
al Home
BY Louis P. Kirby,
International News Service STAFF
Correspondent.

correspondent.
Mexico City, Mexico, Oct. 49,
Ways Of paying Mexieo's national
debt are being laboriously worked
out by President Adolfo de la Huerta
and his cabinet. 1t has been decided
that the first step necessary to re-es-
tablish Mexicos credit abroad is to
carry out economies which will con-
vince the world Of Mexico's serious
determination to meet its obliga-
tions.
The decision to retire 10000 sol
diers now enlisted in the regular
army is only one of numerous econ
omies decided upon be President de la
Huerta, but it is the most daring one,
when it is remembered that the revo-
luton is only a few months old and
that the defeated faction is still ac-
lively conspiring. The plan is to put
the 10000 soldiers on half pay for
the present, in the expectation that
most of them, If not all of them, will
soon find regular civilian work and
cease to draw the half pay. Efforts
will be made to put all of these men
in as good positions as can be found
for them.
The half-pay idea is to keep them
from drifting into mischievous hands
during the period in which they adj
just themselves to civil life. With
out the half pay, there is no telling
what the soldiers might do if con
fronted with period of idleness and
need
But despite the careful planning of
the government it is a bold step, as
many Of the Mexican soldiers are reck-
less poems, irresponsible and fond of
idleness. who may not accept with
cordially the prospect of the hard
work called for in civil life, after
their days of sloth in the army.
There are now in the Mexican army
14.064 officers and $3.50 enlisted men.
The retirement Of $4,000 soldiers
would reduce the enlisted men to 3d.
| $40 1t will be the second reduction
Of the army since President de la
Huerta took control of the govern
ment, 713 officers and 2S,120 men
| having returned to civil life short
time after the downfall of the Car
rama government.
/ Governmental Economies.
| Economies are being practiced in
every governmental department. 1t
| is said the governments efforts to
add to it's revenues from the oil
| fields is solely for the purpose of in
creasing the fund to be used in pay
ling the national debt. The unpaid in
| terest alone is SI22,50 ,667.51, maxi
| ing the total debt $546, 249, 468s88.
| The many reforms brought about
| by President de la Huerta are the
! theme OF constant discussion here,
and there are many varying interpre-
tations of his purpose.
J One element is disposed to think
that he is an altruist who is ready to
| sacrifice himself in the service of
| his people. These credit him with
the Mexican masses than Francisco
Madero and say that as his health is
bad and he could not long endure the
holds, he wishes to do all the good
he can in the short time before his
retirement.
Huerta's Ambitions.
Another element is disposed to see
in President de la Huerta an ambi-
tious man who is looking far ahead.
These say that as de la Huerta is
still only a little more than forty
years old he must be thinking of re-
manning actively in politics for many
years to come. They think that he
Is trying to make brilliant record
during the few months of power so
that when the next Presidential cleo
ton draws near the people will re-
member him and want him at the
head Of the government. They say
that the condition Of his health makes
it necessary that he take long rest
as soon as possible and that he will
have time to regain his strength un-
der the Oregon administration.
Then. having made notable record
as president, he viii be ready to re-
turn to power.
1t is recalled that Porfirio Diaz, af-
ter becoming president or 4 rc+ols;-
tionary wave, rested four years after
his first term and then returned to
the presidency to hold II for thirty
years.
Rs4f fhara aro n, arxr who i,1eiet that