Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-02-01

more sanguinary it is the better ii
suits him. President Diaz has implicit
confidence in hin-so much so, in fact,
that Terrazas and not Diaz has prac-
ticaIly been the ruler of that part of
Mexico for more than thirty years.
When not actually holding the of.
fee of governor himself he has die
tated who shall occupy the executive
chair When General Terrazas retired
from the governorship several years
ago he had his son-in-law, Enrique c.
Creel, put in his place. Even during
the period that Creel was serving the
Mexican government as ambassador
at Washington he held the title of con-
stitutional governor OF the state OF
chihuahua
VTnen CreeI became minister of for
eign affairs the acting governor, San
chez, a faithful follower of General
Terrazas, was promoted to the consti-
tutional goyernorship. Sanchez is not
a believer IN war. When the revolu-
tionists became active in that vicinity
q few weeks ago he took 1t upon him
self to appoint q peace commission OF
local citizens to go out and treat with
about 4 peaceful settlement of the
trouble. When the news of Governor
Sanchez's action came TO the ears of
General TerraZas there were all kinds
of things said by the veteran warrior.
Minister Creel was also stirred up over
the movement iuaugurated by Cover
nor Sanchez to effect a treaty Of peace
with the revOlutionists.
The next thing the general public
knew General Sanchez had resigned
and Alberto Terrazas, son OF the gen
eraI. was named to I'll the vacancy.
This change meant that General Ter
raZas was to have an entirely free
hand IN dealing with the revolutionary
situation SO far as his state was CON
cerned.
General Terrazas IS the wealthiest
man in Mexico. His fortune is esti-
mated to be all the way from $780,
100000 to $2O0,OOOOOO gold. He owns
about 100000 acres of land in Chi
huahua, most Of il being well stocked
with cattle, horses, sheep and other
live stock He owns two-thirds of the
residences and business buildings in
the city of Chihuahua, his income
from rentals being enormous. He is
in control of the banks OF the state
and IS also large stockholder in
banking houses IN the City Of Mexico.
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
NJ
progress of the state are being great
" retarded by the great property hold
ings Of this one man and members of
his immediate family.
Not only do they object TO his con.
troll Of the material wealth of the
state. but they are opposed TO him
longer controlling It's politics. 1t IS
alleged that he dictates to the legis-
lature what laws shall be enacted,
what taxes shall be levied and what
concessions for new enterprises shall
be granted and approved.
General Terrazas belongs to the
same school of men as DiaZ He be-
heves in ruling with an iron hand In
early days he went through many
bloody campaign to protect the PEG
pie Of chihuahua. When that city
was captured by a force Of brigands
many years ago and the governor fed
TO Juarez. Terrazas raised a volunteer
force, routed the bandits and restored
order. At another time when the
treasury of the national government
was bankrupt he donated a large sum
Of money for carrying on of war
against the French invaders.
In recognition OF his military serv-
rec to the government he was grant
ed 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
properties When in chihuahua he
works from daylight to dark in his of.
fee He is a friend of the poor and
In his quiet way has contributed a
great deal Of money TO charity.