GENERAL HUERTA.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 13373, 6 May 1914, Page 9

GENERAL HUERTA.

An interesting picture of General Huerta was given recently by a leading Xew York banker, who had just returned from Mexico, where he' knew the Provisional President well.

He is a- dictator of the old school ; a man of great ability < and quick decision. He will not tolerate opposition. Last May the Mexican Congress considered a- project for a. new loan which Huerta desired. Congress thought the terms exorbitant. He sent for some of the leaders.

"I need the. money." said he," very simply; ';without it I 'cannot put down the banditti warfare now raging. 1 wish to co-operate with you, but. remember thk*— l ama soldier, and if you don't do what I want you to do look out."

Later on 3ie placed the entire Congress under arrest, but the man who does not hesitate at the ruthless use of power is as simple and unpretentious as a country grocer on Independence Day. The banker watched Huerta surrounded by the Cabinet ride m State under an escort of cavalrymen, to open the Chamber of Deputies. "He rode down the famous street of Silversmiths m evening dress, his coat covered with medals', and a broad ribbon carrying the colors of Mexico crossed his bosom. He Mas surrounded by a handsomely-uniformed mounted guard. Two -hours later I sat m the Cnfe Gloho ■eating my dinner, when an automobile stopped outside, and Huerta, dressed m a wrinkled old grey business suit, weaving a slouch hat. and without a single guard, entered the bar. He called for a drink, and stood there alone. TTnerta likes lo dine at restaurants, and it is not at all uncommon to soe him taking a drink at the bar of the Cafe Colon, or eating dinner at Bach's restaurant. I have Been him come into Bach's restaurant . and walk from end to end looking for an iiinoccupied placo At a. table, and .by and by some American would surrender his seat. It is not that the Mexicans are discourteous—they a-re the most polite people m the world — but Huerta has been seen so frequently m these places that he has mads himself common."

Many of ttyc-*' acts. wlucll lia\-.e been most harshly criticised were . ordered after Huorta iiad spsnt sortie hours 'm a restaurant. One night , he hud been drinking at a cafe at a lata hour, and everyone was blissfully content, when m waUced one of iliis "old cronies. For j years the man . and Hnerta had been companions m cafes almost every evening. Hiierta slapped his old friend roughly on the back. "Why aren't you at headquarters, Mr Ohief of j Policei?" Hi/s old friend stared at Hnerta m astonishment^ "Take charge to-morrow," said Huerta. "I mean it." Huerta. is not without a sense of humor. Once a commission from one of the States called at his .bungalow at Popotia. After th© commissioners had concluded their business, he personally conducted them about the place. In one. room there were some- handsome" bookcases. ■ , "Lot me show yow my library," said he, throwing open the doors. The commissioners found that the shelves of the "library" wera cases filled with avariety of* bottled liqueur*. "Thrsi? books," said Huerta, "always make the heart merry." ■.