The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1913-04-23
Naco, Ariz, April II, 1913.
Denison Review,


Denison Review,
Denicon, Iowa.
Gentlemen recall reading in your
paper few weeks ago summary of
the political situation in Mexico, and
have concluded that an account of
some recent happenings which came
under my personal observation might
be of interest to many of your read
ers.
The most of you are familiar with
the methods used by the revolution
lists in the city of Mexico last Febru-
rary to get President Madero and
Vice President Suarez in their con-
troll, and later disposing of them. They
were betrayed by treachery and after
wards virtually assassinated, Or so
most American people will always be-
lieve. Afterwards the traitor, Gen.
Huerta, got himself named as provis-
ional president, and reorganiZed the
cabinet and administrative offices gen
ing his term of office proved rather a
weak executive for the present ad
vancement of his people, at least, his
supporters could not reconcile them
selves to the manner in which he had
been gotten out of the way, nor yet
to the assumption of that high office
by Gen. Huerta. The Mexican laws
provide, in case of the death of the
president and vice president, for a
succession to the presidency from the
members of the cabinet, in manner
quite similar as our laws provide, and
to add Insult to injury" the revolu-
tionists did not play the game fair,
but should have permitted the minis
ter of finance, l believe, or of foreign
affairs, to assume the presidency un-
til a regular president could have been
elected by the p ople. These were
some of the Irregularities which caused
many of the people OF the state of
Sonora, Mexico, which lies to the
south of Arizona, to refuse to recog-
nize Gen. Huerta and his provisional
government and to take up arms in
support of the constitution and the
Madero regime. Hence, these disaf
fected ones call themselves "Consti-
tutionalists.' Il
For time Sonora was silent rela-
tive to recognizing the provisional
government, but after time she
spoke and acted. She refused to
swear allegiance to Huerta's govern
ment and most of the former volun-
teer or state troops also revolted and
joined themselves to the state. This
occurred late in February. The first
offensive action was made in the last
week of February, when, under the
leadership of Bracamonte and Gales,
the "Constitutionalists" and NADER
istas' as they are commonly called
by the Americans, captured or drove
out the federal forces from Ell Tigre,
Fronteras and NacOzari, mining towns
south of Douglas. Ariz., and forced
the remainder to join their comrades
in Aqua Prieta Ozark water), just
across the line from Douglas, and 2G
miles east of here. The Maderistas
followed, but did not attack, and at
ter the federals had exchanged shots
with the 9th U. S. cavalry several
times at Douglas, either through er-
ror or with some Interior motive in
view, the entire federal force gath
cred at Aqua Prieta, numbering per-
haps 500 to $50 soldiers, evacuated
the place without shot, leaving |
some of their supplies behind, and
proceeded overland to Naco, Sonora,
where they arrived March 18th. A
force of about 40 of the federal cav
airy had taken possession of the town
some days before. Naco, Sonora, is
just across the line from Naco, Ariz.,
only neutral strip 12O feet wide sep
arating the two towns.
1t was supposed that the jubilant
Maderistas would Immediately follow
the federals to Naco, Sonora, as they
were presented to be superior in num-
bers, would give battle to Gen. Pedro
Ojeda pronounced O-hay-dah) who
brought his force from Aqua Prieta,
and drive him out. The camp fires
of a part of the Maderistas appeared
on the hills to the east of here on
Friday evening, March 14th, and the
next morning Gen. Ojeda marched
out with most of his followers to give
them battle. The Maderistas were
located mostly in some hills about
three miles east of town, with level
open country between, so with the aid
of our glasses we could follow the
movements of the federals quite cas-
ily. Their advance was made quickly
and fearlessly, and son the two can