Huerta Promises To Satisfy Society On Killings.

New York Times 100 years ago today, February 24, 1913:
Provisional President Calls Assassination of Madero and Suarez an Unhappy and Incomprehensible Event, Calling for Full Inquiry.    MEXICO CITY, Feb. 23.— President Huerta to-day gave out the following statement on the killing of Francisco I. Madero and Jose Pino Suarez:
    "I called together the Cabinet to report that Madero and Pino Suarez, who had been detained at the palace at the disposition of the War Department, were taken to the penitentiary in accordance with a previous decision, as the result of which that establishment was placed yesterday afternoon under the charge of an army officer for its better security.
    "When the automobiles had traversed about two-thirds of the way to the penitentiary, however, they were attacked by an armed group and the escort descended from the machines to offer resistance. Suddenly the group grew larger and the prisoners tried to escape.
    "An exchange of shots then took place in which two of the attacking party were killed and two wounded. Both prisoners were killed. The automobiles were badly damaged.
    "The President and his Cabinet have resolved that the affair shall be consigned to the military judicial authorities having to do with the attempts against military prisoners, such as were Madero and Pino Suarez, so that they may make a strict investigation with the direct intervention of the Military Prosecutor General.
    "The Minister of Justice has asked that when these investigations are over — the case being of so exceptional a character — that the Prosecutor General of the republic make a further investigation.
    "The Government deplores the event, and, wishing to attend to the necessities of the public welfare, had asked the Minister of Justice to formulate a plan of legal action against the prisoners for their several responsibilities, at the same time making an effort to have some of the friends of Madero assist in the solution of this difficult and dangerous question.
    "Filled with the desire to guarantee itself as well as the prisoners, the Government had appointed Col. Luis Vallestores director of the penitentiary, and had given him strict instructions to provide for any contingency.
    "The Government promises that society shall be fully satisfied as to the facts in the case. The commanders of the escort are now under arrest, and the facts above recorded have been ascertained so as to clear up this unhappy event, however incomprehensible it may be under the present sad circumstances."