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 general in command at Vera Cruz and the Zapatistas independently rejected Huerta. Military operations converged towards the east coast to gain control of the ports, with customs houses and war supplies.

Within a few months after his inauguration, President Woodrow Wilson publicly announced that Huerta would not be recognized, nor would any government established by intrigue and assassination, and thereafter conducted a determined campaign for his elimination. John Lind, as the president's personal representative, was sent to Huerta with proposals for an immediate armistice on the part of the warring factions, an "early and free" election in which Huerta should not be a presidential candidate and by the results of which all parties should abide, followed by a promise that upon prompt compliance with these suggestions, the United States Government would favor a bankers' loan to the Mexican Government. This proposal being rejected, President Wilson adopted more. conventional methods—control of shipment of arms, and diplomatic negotiations as a result of which England's support of Huerta was withdrawn and a second European loan was denied him. This period of diplomatic strategy, which President Wilson described as "watchful waiting," and during which the demand instituted by the interests for direct military intervention became insistant, ended when United States troops were ordered to occupy Vera Cruz. This was done under pretext of maintaining the dignity of the United States following the Tampico flag incident, but was in reality to cut Huerta off from his chief source of supplies. The immediate action of the United States troops was