The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1911-05-18
A PENSACOLA
|. BOY IN JUAREz
AFTER BATTLE
PORTER A. WHALEY, FORMERLY
4 OF THE JOURNAL STAFF, VISITS
\ SCENE OF MEXICAN BATTLE
4 AND WRITES GRAPHIC pEscRIP-
TON OF THE PLACE.

Porter A. Whaley, formerly of Pen
gacola and at one time a member OF
The Journal staff, but now secretary of
the Pecos, Texas. Chamber of Com
merce, has paid visit to the scene of
hostilitfes on the Mexican border. He
was one Of the first civilians to enter
Juarez after the capitulation of that
hc1ty by the federal forces, and he
writes q very interesting account Of
his visit as follows:
+ The Day After the Battle.
AT 80 p. M yesterday in company
with several others, walked unmo-
Elested across the international border
into Juarez. Signs Of the recent battle
were TO be seen on every side, but no
thought Of fear came to US, for we felt
secure under the protection of the now
famous insuFrecto army of invasion
and by the way one of the finest
punches Of men of all ages from eight
years up to seventy / ever saw.
kFaUnous7 Yes, and well it might.
How they took this naturally well for
t1hsd town Of adobe houses without
kgreater loss Of life is a mystery. unless
I've find an explanation in the poor
kmaxkmans11ip of the federal forces.
mo matter how II came about, Gen.
Maderois army holds historic JuareZ,
the key to northern and northwestern
E16axico-and they know 1t. The sign
tof triumphant joy is seen on every
face, as they greet their American
visitors with a friendliness that seems
to say. Mighty glad to have you visit
us" They seem to feel assured that
all Americans are on their side.
& The Army.
That army, 1t is worth a trip to
Juarez to see II. Certainly it is an
army of the people. Every age and
class seems to be enlisted. Boys
scarcely in their teens, and gray haired
men with their bodies stopped and
with hating step. are all found within
the ranks-all there for two purposes,
to protect against the injustices Of
the government of Porflrio Diaz-and
70 gain their own political liberty.
Men OF intelligence and men other
wise wholly void Of a reason for fight
because OF an undying belief that the
government of Ddaz must go. The only
uniform seen yesterday was a smile;
their clothing Is anything but uniform
Some wore only a plain shirt. over
salls and a sombrero. Some had parts
of clothing with federal appearances;
Others had. 1t seems, secured q loan"
Of clothing from across the river in
Ell Paso.
They were armed to the teeth.
Numbers Of them. wore i've belts Of
i2cartridges and few had less than
three. Rifles of every possible kind,
swords. pistols and daggers were
everywhere and they did good service
for thefr users. Some of the insur-
Rectos wore all of these different ar
ticles Of modern and medieval war
fare. It was sight such as few living
today can expect to see again. am
quite sure that few are sorry they
cannot buckle on field gun, as evil
! IDENTIFY the size Of 1t would not disturb
them, judging from the vast amount Of
lwarifxe apparatus the average insur-
frecto Is wearing.
City Not Destroyed.
Juarez Is not destroyed by any
means. In fact. not nearly so badly
damaged as most people think. Ex-
Ecept those destroyed by fire, the build
ings can be repaired at small cost
The old church is not badly damaged.
The front doors and vestibule will need
kfire fronts OF some Of the buildings
ION Main street have been demolished,
while In some Of the other buildings
not even the glass has been damaged.
What Of the people of the town
To them Sherman's definition Of war
must certainly be a good one. Bust
mess Tor the time being is practically
kStopped, homes broken up. women with
Rear-dtmmed eyes were seen returning
10 their battle SCARED houses where
home had been before. Some were
hrudgfng the streets carrying small do
Ienestho belongings on their backs. All
Us unsettled and all uncertain. Street
Jcaxs are, however, being operated In
sthe main section of the city and the
custom house is open. United States
customs officials are watching every
one close. To be in Juarez Is to be
under suspicion.
Madero q Fine Man.
~ It was my privilege to see the pro-
Eisfonal president, Francisco Madero
Jr. and grand character he is. He
is doing his part to provide for tht
needs Of his capital and unless h
should be Unexpectedly disturbed by
the federal forces, which seems ex,
tremaly unlikely. 1t is my opinion tina
IN a few days Juarez will be as busy
and as peaceful as 1t has ever been
and Juarez has been great business