Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-07-12
STORIES OF HORROR
CURRENT IN MEXICO
Atrocities and IndIgnities Suf-
fered by Foreigners in
Land of Revolutions.
PASSENGERS ON TRAIN
ROBBED AND MUTILATED

MEAlCO CIT4, July 3, 1918
With the gradual spreading of revolu-
tionary activity to parts of the republic
hitherto more or less unaffected, tales OF
atrocities and indignities to foreigners
filter into the capital in increasing num-
Der. Early in July these had become so
common. by reason Of their frequency,
that whereas a year ago they would have
caused great indignation and possibly
prompt representations by foreign gov
ernments, it is doubtful il they receive
now more than inclusion in a possible
general claim for damages, in due time,
upon the Mexican government.
An experience related by passengers
on a train proceeding northward from
Torreon appears to place a certain con-
tingent Of the northern rebels in a class
with the followers Of Zapata of the south
on the score Of barbarous treatment of
their victims. The train was stopped near
Bermejillo by. burned bridge. A band
of intoxicated rebels or bandits swooped
down upon the passengers, robbed them
of everything, including clothing, not
sparing even the woman victims, of whom
there We're half dozen. Americans and
English. An American man. detected
trying to hide a revolver, was taken out
and shot. He fell badly wounded An
Englishman, of whom was demanded a
diamond ring he wore, and which he had
difficulty In removing. was assisted by
means of knife. The finger was chop
ped away so that the ring could be secur-
ed. The passengers eventually were al
lowed to go, and walked miles into Tor
reon.
Story of Privation.
Another experience growing out of an
effort to escape a worse fate was that
of a group of Americans, refugees from
a mining camp near Topolobampo, Sina-
loa. There were three women in the
party, which made its way to the coast
town. To catch a coasting steamer. due
at an uncertain date. the refugees had to
put out to an island, sun scorched and
without a house or tree. It's only in
habitants were shark fishers and the
stencil Of decaying shark flesh was next
to unbearable. For two days the refu-
gees endured great hardship and discom-
fort, then an American gunboat appea red
A boat was sent of, but the officer in
charge had orders to take only employees
of a certain mining company. Nine were
accordingly taken aboard and the
rest, including the three women. waited
two days longer. when. almost in despair
they were picked UP by the coasting
steamer. described as a filthy affair, al
ready overloaded, which landed them in
Mazatlan.
President Huerta has great confidence
in the ability of his new cabinet to aid
him in his work of pacification. but he
expects them to devote their attention to
the work of their respective departments
and not let their covetous eyes dwell
upon his seat This he made quite clear
to them at the first formal gathering of
the new administrators.
Each Minister Surname
To them Huerta said, after the usual
Fluctuations. that he expected each min
lister to be supreme in his own post, SO
far as possible. and that they would ex-
perience little interference from him But,
on the other hand, he warned them TO
"cuidarse con la pintura," a legend often
seen on new edifices in Mexico, meaning
watch out for paint" To his puzzled
ministers, who asked him to explain, the
president said. patting the back of the
chair he customarily occupies at his
cabinet meetings: II mean that this old
chair suits me very Wei, and for the
present you should not try to improve it.
Pay attention strictly to the duties of
your office. and l shall manage 10 look
after mine
''valerito," Spanish bull fighter. re-
Gently put up an exhibition which will
doubtless long impress him as the fight
OF his life" There was no tinsel and no
trimmings, but the reward offered and
WOE by 'Valerito" made UP to him for
the lack Of applause from the benches.
Submits to Trying Test.
''Valerito." who was christened Manuel
Ealero, was overtaken on, the road to
Monterey while in charge OF six fighting
bulls intended for the ring there, by a
group OF Car7anza's soldiers. Taking ad
vantage os the circumstances. the revo-
lutionists promised the bull fighter his
Hfe aEG liberty IL he could kill the six
bulls singiehanded
\ ring WIS constructed on the spot.
"Valerito," armed with a cavalry saber
ana carrying a colored blanket for
''capa" or cape, an essential part OF the
bull fighters equipment, proceeded TO
tire the animals down and dispatch them
one after another.
In spite of his heroic efforts his captors
subjected the bull fighter to the greatest
indignity possible 10 his kind the ampu
taion of his queue, before releasing shiH.