Page:Margaret Shipman - Mexico's Struggle Towards Democracy (1927).pdf/47

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to prevent delivery of arms to Huerta from a German steamer,[1] and thereafter to control the port and collect the customs. For four months after Huerta had left Mexico, the occupation of the port continued under protest from Carranza who voiced the resentment of the Mexican people at this invasion of their territory.[2] American oil interests were advanced in Mexico by the elimination of Huerta who was admittedly supported by the British oil interests. That President Wilson and the American oil interests acted in accord is shown by the testimony of Mr. Doheny before the Senate investigating committee that "with the knowledge and consent and after consulting with John Lind" the oil interests assisted the Carranzistas with sympathy and money.[3]

In a few weeks after the flight of Huerta, Carranza entered Mexico City, in the same month that the world war began. The capitalists of the United States turned their attention to making fortunes in war industries and finance. Mexico, for the time being, except as a source of oil, became to them a matter of secondary importance.

7. STRUGGLE BETWEEN REVOLUTIONARY FACTIONS.

With the elimination of Huerta, the various revolutionary leaders who had been more or less united in opposing him now turned against each other, and for two years a period of internal conflict continued. Villa, who had been led to hope by emissaries from President Wilson and the approval of some of the interests, that he would be supported for the presidency, broke with Carranza. The


  1. Priestley, Op. Cit., pp. 423.
  2. Beals, Op. Cit., pp. 262–63.
  3. U. S. Senate, 66:2, Sen. Doc., Vol. IX, pp. 276–79.

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