Evening star., 1913-12-09
CARRANzA DEFENDS
jUAREz EXECUTIONS
Federal Officers Killed by Villa,
He Declares, Deserved
Death.
STRICT JUSTICE NEEDED.
BUT KEEPS WITHIN LAW
Asserts That Early Clemency of
Rebels Was Repaid by Ty-
ranny and Outrage.

PHOENTX, Ariz.. December "A let
ter from Gen. Venustiano Carranza de-
Tending the execution by Gen. Francisco
villa of federal officers captured at
Juarez and telling why bloody reprisals
We're being visited by the revolutionists
upon Huertista prisoners of war. was
given out today by Gov. George W. +.
Hunt Of Arizona.
Carranza's letter. dated at Hermosillo.
Sonora. Mexico. November -, was in
reply to a communication which Gov.
Hunt sent To the rebel cheftain, sug-
gesting that continuation Of summary
executions by insurgent commanders
would horrify the people Of the United
States and ALLEVIATE their sympathy
Gov. Hunt wrote as a private citizen.
not as Governor OF Arizona. Ia his re-
ply Gen. CarranZa says:
While recognizing with pleasure the
spirit of frank friendship which actual
ed your letter. your personal sympathy
and that of the people of the United
States with the struggle in furtherance
of civilization and justice which we are
carrying on, j cannot the less deplore
the fact that yTith an imperfect under
standing of the peculiar character Of
the Mexican problems there is !ikeli-
hood in certain cases and notwithstand-
ing ones. good intention of placing a
wrong construction on some Of our acts.
Cites Crimes of Huerta.
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 maintain ii are
forgotten.
When Mexico had realized the su-
preme democratic prerogative of elect:ng
her own representatives and had reasons
to expect. in the midst of peace and
tranquility. the periodical change OF
public officials only by an expression oi
popular will. most corrupt minority o1
the defeated factions, after attempting
to overthrow for all time our political
institutions by means OF violence alone
have destroyed the lives, the rights and
the interests of our felloW-citi2ens; have
carried out bloody executions without re.
gard to any law; have murdered consfi-
tutionalists who fell wounded while fight.
ing for the liberty of the people; have
imprisoned the deputies and senator
who have defended with their power o.
speech our democratic institutions; have
torn away from their homes peaceful
men and even boys to compel them tt
take arms against us. or have filed then
with terror by devastating entire cities.
Destructive acts OF this character
have made 1t apparent that the cause
which ] represent has constituted not
only "A political form Of revolution bu,
also has the character of proceeding
with calm and severe justice which pun
ishes the culpable and safeguards the
Mexican family
Entered on Deliberate Policy.
Il have determined, within the spirit OF
our constitution and without any feeling
of passion. but deliberately and with cir
cumspection, to pursue these ends, grad
ually the exercise of clemency and mag
nanimity can be attained in satisfaction
of an imperative demand of justice and
the urgent necessity of securing peace
and of assuring the future welfare OF the
nation. | have determined to enforce Wig
orously and in accordance with the
proclamation which was duly issued May
Il, 1913, the Law of Juarez of January
% 1862, which defines and Furnishes de-
linquencies inimical to the public peace.
with strict Difference to the law pro-
vided the Huertista officers were tried
and executed in the city of Juarez.
captured at rorrecn by this same Gen.
Villa, who. after pardoning them. agreed
that they should be enlisted by our
forces. Thereafter they endeavored, but
unsuccessfuliy, to create G detection OF
the men whom I entrusted to their COM
mand, .iinaAIy y--deserting to re-engagess n,
crime.
1T is true that the established princi-
ioleS observed in International war extend
10 prisoners the privilege of pardon or
immunity from bodily harm, but in civil
struggles the most civilized nations in all
ages nave employed more rigorous. aud
bloody means even than We have been
compelled to adopt. And with reference
to the executions of the officers I'm the city
of JuareZ there should be perceived not
any needless cruelty visited upon prison
ers of war, but merely such punishment
as was prescribed by the law applicable
to offenders against the public peace and
safety
Tyranny Repaid Clemency.
'.-rhe Mexican people in the beginning
of this. civil struggle. initiated by Fran
cisco l. Madero, exhausted all their DOW
er of clemency and forgiveness, hut ex-
perienced as the only results. of their
tyranny In their .country's $
interior, and the loss of prestige outside
OF its borders -
Il want to insure the operation. OF the
country's institations and to re-establish
for all time by means of def
mite and effective restoration OF the ma
tional organization.
The occurrences at the city of Juarez
were far from being invested with the
which our enemies IN their
frame OF mind, desired to
give them.
IN conclusion il is my desire to as
sure you that the same humane senti-
ments which you possess also animate
me- and that even though I find il neces-
sary. IN Difference to the existing national
feeling, justice to public confidence and
the necessity of restoring peace to nv.
TO be somewhat strict In the en-
forcement of the law of Juarez 1 have
provided at the same time that this law
shall be applied only when the limita-
tions are fixed by the most pressing
need 1t shall be enforced against wiilfui
enemies. with the privilege of pardon and
safety extended always to the guiitless
and misguided.
II hope, furthermore. to retain your
sympathy as Well as that of the people
Of North America in favor OF our cause.
ou may be sure that 1 will take into
your high ideals to the ex-
tent OF recommending always with due
respect to the law. greater forbearance
toward. our enemies"
VILLA OCCUPIES CHIHUAHUA.