The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1911-01-26
REVOLT IS AGAINST
John D. 'OF MEXICO
Uprising an Attempt to Over
Throw General Luis Terrazas
Of chihuahua.

Chihuahua, Mexico.-The political
Ind financial power of General Luis
rerrazas In the state of Chihuahua may
be overthrow. The armed uprising in
the mountain region west Of here Is
laid to be directed more against the
Terrazas rule than against the exist
ing federal administration. Despite his
"a years Terrazas is as keen Of intel
lect and active in body as the ordinary
man of 80 years. He likes a combat.
and the more sanguinary 1t Is the bet
ter 1t suits him. President Diaz has
Implicit confidence in him-so much So
IN TACT. that Terrazas and not Diaz has
practically been the ruler of this part
of Mexico for more than 30 years. When
not actually holding the Office of gov
trnor himself he has dictated who shall
bccupy the executive chair. When
General Terrazas retired from the gov
ernorship several years ago he had his
foninlaW, Enrique G.. Creel, put in his
place. Even during the period that
Mr.. Creel was serving the Mexican gov
trnment as ambassador at Washington,
be held the title Of constitutional gov.
ernor OF the state Of Chihuahua.
Terrazas the Real Governor.
When Mr.. Creel became minister OF
foreign affairs the acting governor,
Sanchez, a faithful follower Of Gen.
eral Terrazas. was promoted to the
constitutional governorship. Mr.. San.
chez is not a believer in war. WheL
the revolutionists became active I'm this
vicinity few weeks ago he took II
upon himself to appoint a peace com.
mission of local citizens to go out ant
treat with the insurgents with a view
of bringing about peaceful settlement
Of the trouble When the news of Gov.
ernor Sanchez's action came to the earA
Of General Terrazas there were all
kinds Of things said by the veteran
warrior. Minister Creel was also stir.
red up over the movement inaugurated
by Governor Sanchez to effect q treaty
Of peace with the revolutionists.
The next thing the general public
knew, Governor Sanchez had resigned
and Alberto Terrazas, son of the gen.
eral, was named to AL the vacancy
This change meant that General Ter
razas was to have an entirely free hand
IN dealing with the revolutionary sit
uation SO far as his state is con-
cerned.
General Terrazas is the wealthiest
man In Mexico. His fortune Is esti-
mated to be oil the way from $3.50, 00O,-
700 to $200,000,000 gold. He owns
about 100000 acres Of land in this
state. most of it being well stocked with
cattle, horses, sheep and other live
stock. He owns two-thirds Of the resi-
aences and business buildings in the
city Of Chihuahua, his income from
rentals being enormous. He is In con-
troll Of the banks Of the state and is
also a large stakeholder in banking
houses in the City of Mexico. He owns
large packing houses which receive
their supply OF live stock from his
~, Tv. nI Nek tv,A %
ness, with the exception Of mining, in
the state of Chihuahua the Terrazas in
terests are IN control. More than TO-
boo men are constantly employed upon
the Terrazas ranches and farms.
Socialism in Mexico.
Many OF the Mexican people are be-
ginning to have socialistic ideas. While
no direct charges Of oppression are
brought against General Terrazas, there
Is an intense feeling among the mid
die class that the development and
progress OF the state are being greatly
retarded by the great property hold
ings OF one man and members Of his
Immediate family. Not only do they
object to his control Of the material
wealth of the state, but they are OPP
posed to him longer controlling it's
politics. 1t Is alleged that he dictates
to the legislature what laws shall be
enacted, what taxes shall be levied and
what concession for new enterprises
shall be granted and approved.
The fight which the revolutionists IN
this state are making against the fed
eral government is a mere incident to
their real grievances. 1t Is claimed. It
is in reality to overcome the power of
TerraZas.
General Terrazas belongs to the same
school of men as Diaz. He believes in
ruling with an iron hand. In early days
he went through many bloody cam
paigns to protect the people Of Chihua-
hua. When this city was captured by
q force Of brigands many years ago
and the governor fed to Juarez, Ter
tazas raised q volunteer force, routed
the bandits and restored order. At an
other time when the treasury Of the ma
tional government was bankrupt he
donated large sum of money for car
rying on Of war against the French
Invaders. In recognition Of his mill
tary service to the government he was
granted large tracts Of land in this
state, and these holdings formed the
nucleus for his present large fortune.
General Terrazas Is simple in his
habits and tastes. He spends much of
his time upon his ranches, personally
directing the affairs Of the big landed
When In Chihuahua he
works from daylight to dark in his
office. He is a friend OF the poor, and
In his quiet way has contributed a
great deal of money TO charity.