MEXICAN AFFAIRS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8738, 21 May 1914, Page 5

MEXICAN AFFAIRS

HUERTA'S RETIREMENT reported to re subject to heavy demands. By Telcsrapb—Press Association—Copyrlcln NEW YORK. .May 19. It is understood that General Huerta makes it a condition of liis retirement from the Presidency ol Mexico that ho shall have some voice in naming his successor, a loan of £80.000,000 from tho United States, and a ninety-nine years’ lease of -Magdalena Bay for naval target practice at a rental of £2OO 000 yearly. The State Department officials hero have not been informed of any such demands, but it is believed that Huerta has so instructed Peace Conference delegates.

ARCHBISHOP FORCED TO LEAVE CAPITAL. RUMOURS OF~A PENDING REVOLT. VERA CRUZ, May 19. Huerta forced Archbishop Mcra y del Tio to leave Mexico City because tho Archbishop brought pressure to compel Huerta to resign. Rumours of a pending revolt in Mexico City continue, but their verification or otherwise is impossible at present. VILLA’S FOLLOWERS. BLUSTERING AND BLACKMAILING. FEDERAL OFFICERS EXECUTED WHOLESALE. •"Times” and Sydney “Sun” Servieea. MEXIGO CITY, May 19. General Villa’s followers are engaged in extensive predatory operations against foreigners owning property. At Tampico, tho Constitutionalists immediately upon taking possession, began blustering and blackmailing business men. General Gonzales demanded a huge sum from the Tampico Chamber of Commerce. 'lt was paid under threats of violence.

Tbo Dutch warships have been ordered to leave the river. They are powerless, owing to the departure of the Dutch Minister.

The authorities at Washington have telegraphed an urgent demand to Generals Carranza and Gonzales that the Constitutionalists must behave themselves.

The Constitutionalists are arranging to sell millions of dollars’ worth of cotton, stolen from the Spaniards. Tho British Minister has reported that the Constitutionalists are executing all Federal officers wholesale. Booting is feartd if Villa enters Mexico City.

The Telegraph Office advises: —The Mexican Telegraph Company advises that messages in plain B'nglish may now bo accepted for Belize, British Honduras, subject to strict censorship; code prohibited.