Los Angeles herald., 1892-01-27
An Interesting Statement
About the Rev0lutiOnist.
A Peculiar Mixture of Au-
dacity and Cowardice.
He Failed to Seize His Opportunity
and Lost His Cause.
A Talk with an Attorney of the Mex
lean Government on the Matter.
He Details Garza's
Career.

Mr.. G. T. Rowland, formerly of this
city, but now of Laredo, Texas, is here
for few days stay. Mr.. Rowland is
member of the law firm of Howland q
Pierce of Laredo, who were employed by
the Mexican government early in
Caterina Garza's revolutionary career,
with a view to preventing him from bios
soming as leader.
Last year Cara edited paper called
Ell Libro Penseido, at Patite Blanco,
near Laredo. He published several
articles libeling General Reyes, the gov
ernor OF the state of Nuevo Leon. The
government OF Mexico saw what his In
tentions were, and sent detective
named Eugenio Yglesias to Laredo and
EMPLOYED us to devise some means OF
locking Cara up until he could be
otherwise taken care OF; all the ac-
ton that could be taken was to
arrest him on charge OF crlm-
inal libel against Governor Reyes, 30
had Yglesias swear to complaint and
the warrant was given to deputy sher-
iff to serve. But here we were baked
by the fact that nearly all the people In
that country sympathize with Cara,
and word was given him OF the action
taken, and of course when the sheriff
reached Blanco, Cara was gone.
s'He then commenced his revolution
ary career. On September 10th infiam-
matory circulars were found scattered
broadcast through all the cities OF
northern Mexico, declaring revolu-
ton, announcing Cara as the com
mander of the forces, denouncing Dlaz
as traitor, and demanding his execu
tion by the rope. Cara then
crossed the Rio Grande with 100 men
near Carriso, Texas, but Immediately
recrossed when Mexican troops got on
his track. On November 18th he crossed
again with $50 men and advanced on
the town of Guerrero. This was gar
risoned by only seventy-five government
troops, but when they made sortie,
Cara turned tail and came back to
Texas. This was his opportunity; had
he displayed courage, made dash and
taken Guerrero, he would have strength
ened his cause immensely, for the peo-
ole and the garrison were In sympathy
with him, and the soldiers made the
Hortie more as formality than any
thing else. But CARA is queer COM
bination of audacity and abject coward
ice. If he had stood his ground at this
point he would in forty-eight hours have
had two or three thousand men under
his command, for many were simply
waiting to see.if he had the qualities OF
leader. Why, any number OF Texans,
veteran fighters were ready to serve un-
der him, but his cowardice here dis
gusted them.
''On December 1st he crossed into
Mexico again, this time with 2O0 men,
well armed and equipped. But again
he returned without going into action,
though the Mexican troops reached
him as he neared the line, and slight
skirmish ensued. On crossing into
Texas he met Captain Bourke's COM
mand, and in the action resulting sew
eral United States soldiers were killed.
"Since then he has made no organized
foray, but has remained in Texas in
hiding in the three counties of Duval,
Zapato and Encinal. He must still
have quite force with him, for at the
last camp he left his pursuers found
that there had been thirty three camp
fires and eight steers had been slaugh-
tered, so the force was estimated at 800
men.
"In his last engagement with Captain
Bourke, Cara was slightly wounded,
and Captain Juan Flores has since been
In active command.
"Gayza observes the rules of civilized
warfare. Six Texas rangers captured
two of his men recently, and in taking
them into camp were suddenly con-
c. ~ <.f II Tho
lieutenant in command OF the outlaws
came forward with flag OF truce, and
told the rangers that If they would yield
to superior force and release the prison
ers they would not be molested. There
was nothing else to be done, so the pris-
oners were set free and the revolution
lists, true to their word, marched off
without sign OF hostility towards the
rangers.
'sAs matter Of TACT no revolutionist
ever had roster prospects than Cara.
The Texans were all in sympathy with
him, and the civil authorities lent him
great assistance, all the Mexicons on
both sides OF the line were ready to chip
In if he made the least sue
cess. The ranchers helped him
by giving him provisions and
Dy Itulug LIS uen Wien ueCccsdfy. Ae
a matter OF fact Mexico is ripe for such
movement; the majority of people are
tired OF Diaz, and while not necessarily
for CARA, are in that condition where
they would enthuse very readily.
"But it is too late now. Mexico has
5000 OF her best troops on the border,
and a number of United States troops
are massed on this side so that his cap
ture Is but matter of few days. Cara
had the opportunity, and realized the
fact, but he lacked the courage which
is always needed while such moves are
being made"