MEXICAN DEFIANCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15504, 10 January 1914, Page 7

MEXICAN DEFIANCE.

SENSATIONAL MESSAGE.

GENERAL HUERTA'S "DUTY."

NO QUESTION OF PRIDE

By Telegraph— Association—Copyright.

New York, January 9. A sensational despatch from Mexico City is published by the World. In this General Huerta expresses the hope that hell will contain both President Wilson and h ; mself before he will resign the Mexican Presidency. "The time has gone past," says General Huerta, " when I would give the slightest consideration to any suggestion to resign the Presidency. Once I might have resigned at the bidding of anyone, but not now. It is not a question of pride or ambition with me, but one of duty; nothing else."

General Huerta is ' reported to have asked what President Wilson knew of Mexico or Mexico's needs. Mexico had plenty of money. The people who wanted to get rid of him would have to batter the head off his shoulders before they killed him or his Government.

The statement by the World is based on what General Huerta is alleged to have said to a United States visitor who conversed with him.

The newspapers announce that the conference between President Wilson and Mr. John Lind, who was sent by the President to report on the true state of affairs in Mexico, consistod in Mr. Lind reporting on the success of the President's waiting policy. It is said that President Wilson was pleased with the report, and decided to continue his attitude.

" UNREADY FOR WAR,"

ARTILLERY DEFICIENT.

Times-Sydney Bun Special Cable. (Received January 9. 6.20 p*m.)

Washington, January 8.

A sum of 6,000,000 dollars (£1,200,000) is asked for by MajorGeneral Leonard Wood (Chief of the General Staff) for field artillery and ammunition, to be divided equally between the. regulars and the militia. He declares that if the troops were sent to war at present without these guns and ammunition there would be wholesale slaughter. He writes: " We have neither sufficient guns nor ammunition to give any general commanding our army assurances of success if attacked by an army equal in size and supplied with its proper quota of field artillery."