Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1899-09-23
IN OLD MEXICO
An Interview with Colonel Twitchell
in the Capital Of the Neighbor-
ing Republic.
INTERESTED In The ARMY
Tells of the Work Of New Mexico Volun.
teers Who Went to Cuba and Refers to
Those Who Have Gone to the
Philippines.
(Herald, City of Mexico.)

Fhlllpplnes.
Herald, City of Mexico.)
Hon. r. E. Twitchell, of Las Vegas,
N. M, now in this city, was an interest
ed spectator of the festivities Of the
past two days.
Mr.. Twitchell is the judge advocate
general Of the national guard of the
Territory of New Mexico, and assisted
in the mastering in of the larger part
of Roosevelt's regiment of rough riders.
He has been identified with military
matters for some years, and naturally
was more especially interested in the
military review than in any other fea-
ture of the celebration. When visited
by a Mexican Herald reporter Mr..
Twitchell said:
Il was surprised to note the splendid
appearance of the Mexican army and of
the rurales in particular. They are a
splendid looking lot of men, and would
be a credit to any country. The charac-
ter of the equipments and especially Of
the horses of the army was a revelation
to me, as I had no idea that Mexico
paid so much attention to her army.
THE parade which took place on the
18th in honor of the saints day of Pres
ident Diaz, did, in point of magnificence
and beauty, surpass many of the large
parades in the United States. There
was nothing in the peace jubilee at
Chicago held in honor of the soldiers
and sailors who fought in the Spanish
American wal which surpassed in ele-
gance and beauty the various triumph
al arches erected on Avenida Juarez
and San Francisco street, particularly
the mosaic arch erected on Gale San
Francisco.
II was particularly impressed" said
Mr.. T~witchell, with the name In
which the festivities of the night of the
18th were carried out by the inhabitants
of the city, n do not believe that in
such cities as Chicago and New York
such license and freedom of entertain
ment would be permitted for a moment,
owing to the character and tendencies
of the larger class of the population in
those great centers, and I believe it to
be very complimentary to the Mexicans.
The fact that so much good nature was
displayed by the large crowds is but
additional evidence Of the confidence
and trust which the people of Mexico
have in their national and municipal
government"
Mr.. Twitchell is a great admirer Of
Governor Roosevelt, and believes that
he represents all that is good and noble
in politics.
When asked about the way New
Mexico responded to the call for volun-
teers, Mr.. Twitchell said:
New Mexico, during the war with
Spain, broke the record in several ways,
and this was not only due to the pa
triotism that exists in our territory, but
also to the interchangeable efforts and i'm
Partially of Governor Miguel Otero.
who, when the call was made for volun-
teers, bent. every energy in his efforts
to secure not only the right men, but
the right officers, who were selected, not
through any political influence, but ac-
| cording to their fitness and capabili-
ties, thus avoiding all chickering's and
delays. Think of it! New Mexico, in the
Spanish-Americap war, sent more men
into service and on shorter notice, in
proportion to its population, than any
other state or territory in the Union.
Che yyoC FCy-t,,po%o - I,cvva 1~cl L. lo..
quota we one-half of R~oosevelt's reg
iment, the 1st United States volunteer
cavalry. and her quota was filled and
the New Mexican squadron was on the
cars and on its way to San Antonio,
Tex, within eight days after the presi-
dents first call for volunteers. Some of
the men rode 400 miles to reach Santa
Fee in time to be mustered in.
Her boys made a record, too, and I
believe that the rough riders as an or
ganization will go down in history
alongside of the Light Brigade and the
Scotch Highlanders.
1.-THE New Mexicans were the first to
reach the top of San Juan hill, and 1t
was n Of her boys who planted the
American flag there. One of the first to +
reach the top was the son of an asso-
ciate justice Of the supreme court Of
New Mexico
rs the new 34th a regiment similarly |
organized?" asked the reporter.
Il was at Fort Logan, Colo, when |
the 34th United States volunteers. one
Of the newly organized regiments for
service in the Philippines, left for Pre-
sidio, Cal. This regiment Is made I'D
Of some Of the best young men in the
west and south, many Of whom were
rough riders in Cuba, a number of its
officers held commissions in Roosevelt's
regiment. prominent among them being
Captain Maximiliano Luna, who, since
Cuban campaign, has been breveted
for gallantry displayed at Qua
and San Juan hill. He now holds
important position of regimental
adjutant of a regiment Of which the
public will hear later on, IL they are not
.sidetracked, as was the regiment OF In
Iantry mustered in New Mexico, which
would have done some fierce flghting
rad they been given a show
Mr.. Twitchell Is a great admirer OF
Miguel Otero, whom he has
known intimately for the past fifteen
7ears.
Governor Otero," said ne, "is the
lrst governor Of Mexican descent since
he cessdon Of the territory to the Unit
ID States, and 1t IL conceded that in the
conduct Of the affairs Of the territory
md the maintenance Of the dignity Of
lis office, New Mexico has never had a
letter governor. Mrs. Otero is a very