Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1913-12-10
Replying to Letter of Protest
From Governor of Arizona,
Rebel Leader Holds Out Lit
lie Hope for Enemies,
CRUELTIES OF HUERTA
PLEADED AS EXCUSE
Shooting Of Officers Captured
at Juarez by Villa Justified
in Opinion of InSurreCtO
Chief,

10y MORNING JOURNAL SPECIAL lEAsEn wisrl
Phoenix. Arlz.. Dec. "A letter
from General Venustiano Carranza
defending the execution, by General
Francisco villa. Of the federal officers
captured at Juarez and telling why
bloody reprisals were being visited by
the revolutionists upon Huertaista
prisoners Of war, was given out today
by Governor George w. p. Hunt. Of
Arizona.
Carranzas letter dated at Hermo-
sillo Sonora, Mexico, November %,
was In reply 10 communication
which Governor Hunt sent to the reb-
el chieftain, suggesting that a contin-
uation Of summary executions by i'm
surgent commanders would horrify
the people Of the United States and
ALLEVIATE their sympathy
Governor Hunt wrote as a private
citizen, not as governor OF Arizona.
he said he held the constitutionalist
leader I'm high esteem and feared that
ropettion of the executions which
followed the fan of Juarez would i'm
~ rebound TO the disadvantage
NJ rha constitutlonalist cause I'm Mexico
ao Gar as it is related TO the citizenship
lf Che United States. Carranza's let
Ger says
Esi amed Governor and True Friend
7I am pleased to acknowledge the
receipt Of your interesting letter Of
ile 18th inst. written relative TO the
occupation of the city of Juarez byI
ihe constitutionalist forces. under the
immediate command OF General VII
l and 20 assure you of my gratitude
he high regard for me personally
you expressed therein
While recognizing with pleasure
lhe spirit of frank friendship which
acuated your letter, your personal
mpathy and that Of the people Of
United States with the struggle in
therance OF civilization and JUS
Ioe which we are carrying on. 1 cam
at the less deplore the fact that
ula an imperfect understanding of
peculiar character Of the Mexican
Ur9llems there is likelihood In certain
s. and Notwithstanding ones good I
uenton, Of placing a wrong con
structon on some of our acts.
This Is due. in all probability to +
the fact that the criminal acts with +
which this struggle was begun and .
the cruel measures employed to main /
tain 1t are forgotten
when Mexico hGd realized the SUI
preme democratic prerogative Of elect
ing her own representatives and had I
reasoned to expect in the midst of
peace and tranquility. the periodical
change Of public officials only by an
expression Of popular will, a most
corrupt minority of the defeated fac
tions after attempting to overthrow
for all time our political institutions
by means of violence alone, have de-
stroyed the lives, the rights and the
interests Of our fellow citizens; have
carried out bloody executions without
regard to any law; have murdered
who fell wounded
while fighting for the liberty OF the
people, and the deputies and senators
who have defended with their power
OF speech our democratic institutions,
have been torn away from their
homes, peaceful men and even boys,
to compel them to take arms against
us, or have filled them with terror by
devastating entire cities
Destructive acts of this character
have made it apparent that the cause
which | represent has constituted not
only a political reform revolution, but
also has the character Of a proceed
ing Of calm and severe justice which ,
the culpable and safeguards ,
the Mexican family
II have determined, within the {
spirit of our constitution and without
any feeling OF passion, but deliberate
" and with circumspeetion, to pursue
these ends, until gradually the exercise
Of elemeney and magnanimity can be
attained in satisfaction Of an impera- +
i've demand Of justice and the urgent
necessity of securing peace and of as
suring the future welfare of the ma I
ton. l have determined TO enforce
vigorously. and in accordance with +
the proclamation which was duly is /
sued on May a. 1913, the law Of ,
Juarez of January Is, 1862 which de-
N" anu PuhlSitS utlihlutllNlNo lh4li7 I
ical to the public peace.
With strict Difference TO the law +
the Huertista officers were !
.Hed and executed in the city of !
uaFez. Among them We're some who /
lad been captured at Torreon by this 1
same General villa who. after pardon ,
hg them, agreed that they should be d
'hlisted by our forces. Thereafter they
.haeaFored, but unsuccessfully to ere
'le a detection Of the men whom
.htrusted 10 their command finally q
'eaeftihg to ye-engage in crime. +,
Y Is true that the established n
llIhclples observed in international S
'ars extend to prisoners the choice Of D
'"laon or immunity from bodily q