THE REAL HUERTA.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 9896, 11 September 1914, Page 2

THE REAL HUERTA.

To discover the true nature of Victoriano Huerta, who for many months hat been so prominent a figure "on the stage of nations, we mutt look into his history, do! only since, but bsfore he succeeded lladero as President. T« begin with, he it of pire Indian descent and be is proud of it. "Yo soy radio," he declared at a dinner given by the British Club in Mexioo City to celebrate the coronation of King George, and he went on, in one of his fcUM'.e of intimate etaqueree:—" My people are young comjarei wiih your Anglo3*xon race, but in our veins there are the fame red corpuscle 4 ae ia jours." " By keeping in mind the fact that he is Indian," save a writer in the " Times," " we find the clue to many sides of bis •haraeter, which in a Mexican of Spanish or even mixed origin, would be harder to explain. His ability, undoubtedly remarkable, is closely| allied to cunning His inteHifsnee has strange limitations. While at times he ean behave with striking dignity, 19 allows himself in moments of relaxation to forget his high position. By frequenting cafes, some of them olass«d as disreputable, he has offended the taste of the cultivated: the more so since In this respect they compare him unf avour>bly with President Diaz, who was always careful to uphold the best traditions of his <ffioe. It is universally believed in the United States that he is a heavy drinker. Here there is exaggeration. That ha drinks a certain quantity of alcohol is true, have been told by one who visited him m the early morning that his breakfast consisted of a beaten no raw egg, a glass of claret and a glass of brandy. But the habit is more easily excusable when it has so little effect, either mental or physioal. *s in General Huerta's care He is in ais sixty-ninth year, a man of powerful frame and vigorous constitution. Alcohol < «esms to stimulate him, without havirg fleet as it would upon the great maiphty of men.

"Born a poor Indian boy, be taight of lved and died in obscurity but for the timely visit to hie village of * force of soldiers, commanded by a General. The general needed an amanuensis *nd at that time Indian', able to read and write were even scarry than they are today. Young Huer»- A nad made good use of such poor schoolir.g M the village afforded. Che general employed him, was struck by us brightness, and took him to the capital, where, through the interest of President Juare*, he was admitted to the military *ohool. This, of course, could not be comoared with similar institutions in Europe, but Viotonano Huerta took full advantage jf his opportunities, and at the end of the course of studies was declared a credit to the college, and a young man marked out tor high positions. Under General Diaz he did good service, but for some reason was neitber liked nor trusted by his com-mander-in-chief, perhaps because Diaz con* •idered in him a possible rival. "Yet when the old President fled the country Huerta behaved with staunch loyalty; saw to his safe conduct; even ordered a farewell salute to be fired. As soon »s Madero oame into office Colonel Huerta was placed on half-pay Now he engaged in business as a contractor for building materials. 1 have spoken with many people who knew him in this capacity in Monterey. In his business transactions he was honest and fairly capable; but as regards the payment of his household ac counts he was less punctilious. That was where the Indian character revealed itself. Not even when he became President did he settle the small accounts which he left in owing Monterey."