Madero Says He'll Win.

New York Times 100 years ago today, February 11, 1913:
Expects Reinforcements Soon — Diaz Awaits Developments.
    MEXICO CITY, Feb. 10.— President Francisco Madero is back in the National Palace and Señora Madero is in Chapultepec Castle. The President's brief disappearance from the palace caused a rumor that he had taken flight, but it appears he was absent only a short time, and since then has been conferring with Gen. Huerta, Ernesto Madero, the Minister of Finance, and other Ministers. President Madero is confident the Government will triumph, and his talk is characterized by a happy smile and optimistic remarks. He considers that the public is with the administration, and looks forward to developments to-morrow, as the final act in which he regards another attempt by Gen. Porfirio Diaz's nephew to place the family name at the head of Mexico's official list.
    It is admitted in the palace that Gen. Blanquet has been prevented from reaching the city by the cutting of the railroad between the capital and Toluca, but some of his men have arrived, and it is believed confidently that sufficient troops soon will be mobilized to warrant an attack on the arsenal. That attack may be begun early to-morrow, but it is not believed, even if the choice of attacking is left to the Government, that it will be made before the afternoon.
    It is improbable that to-day's remarkable situation can be maintained much longer. In addition to a small number of troops from Blanquet's command already in the capital, there is reported to be a force of 1,000 men under Gen. Alvarez in the mountains fifteen miles out, with twenty-five carloads more on the way here, from the Cuernavaca district. With whom the sympathies of those men will be when put to the test is an open question. They are popularly believed to be coming to the aid of the administration.

Auto Dash to Tres Marias.
    A story current to-night, accounting for the disappearance of the President last night and his absence during the early part of to-day, was that he made a flying trip by automobile to Tres Marias, midway between the capital and Cuernavaca, thirty miles distant. No explanation of such a trip, if it occurred, could be obtained.
    An effort has been made by the diplomatic representatives to get foreign patrols for the district in which most of the foreigners live, since neither the Government nor the rebels can provide police protection, but the effort has failed. The American Defence Committee has instructed the American guard at the embassy to keep in close touch with it. In case of danger Americans armed with rifles are expected to turn out.
    In the event of bombardment by either side there will be great danger to the nearby districts, especially to the south and west of the arsenal, where many Americans live. No representations on that subject have been made by the diplomats.
    The Palace is guarded to-night by 800 men of all arms, with eight or more heavy guns. Madero professes to have 1,500 men on whom he can depend.
    Gen. Diaz said he had no intention of making an attack, but would await the action of the Government forces. The camps present a great similarity, all arms being represented on both sides. A squad of Chapultepec Park guards acts as the personal escort of the insurgent leader.

Martial Law Holds Back Facts.
    The establishment of martial law has served to keep inquirers blocks from the most authoritative sources of information, and the people, keyed to the highest pitch of expectancy, swallow with greediness scores of rumors of a most alarming character.
    At one time in the forenoon Gen. Huerta believed he was justified in risking an attack on the rebels, but the insurgents trained their guns down the streets leading to their positions and prepared to resist him. Thereupon Huerta's plan was changed. Then a report gained credence that the rebels were about to attack the palace, but the day closed without an encounter, though Federals and rebels lay only a mile apart.
    All the banks remained closed throughout the day. In the afternoon most of the shops put up heavy wooden shutters, concealing the glass fronts. The thoroughfares are deserted, even by the Government's usually zealous street-sweeping force, and Mexico's asphalt pavements, renowned for their cleanliness, is littered with rubbish.