The daily sentinel., 1913-12-09
MEXICAN LEADER IN
DEFENSE Of VILLAS
BLOODY EXECUTIONS
Gen. Cdrranzd Declares Stern
Measures Necessary in Deal
ing With Rebels.
Associated Press.

| -aoootidttu TUBS.
| Phoenix, Ariz.. Dec. "a letter
from General Venustiano Carranza,
defending the execution by General
| Francisco Villa of federal officers
captured at Juarez and telling why
| bloody reprisals were being visited
| by the revolutionists upon Huerta-
ista prisoners of war, was given out
| today by Gov. George w. p Hunt
| Of Arizona
| Carranza's letter, dated at Hermo-
| sillo, Sonora. Mexico, November 81,
was in reply to a communication
| which Gov. Hunt sent to the rebel
| chieftain suggesting that a continu-
alton of summary executions by in
Surgent commanders would horrify
the people of the United States and
ALLEVIATE their sympathy.
Carranza's letter in part follows
while realizing with pleasure the
spirit of frank friendship which ac-
tuated your letter. your personal
sympathy and that of the people of
the United Sta>ss with the struggle
in furtherance of civilization and
justice which we are carrying on,
cannot the less deplore the fact that,
with an imperfect understanding of
the peculiar character of the Mexi-
tdh tutft lS llhellAOOu
certain cases and Notwithstanding
ones good intentions, of placing a
wrong construction 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 had realized the
supreme democratic prerogative of
electing her own representatives and
| had reasoned to expect in the midst
of peace and tranquility, the period
ical change of public officials only
by an expression of popular will, a
most corrupt minority OF the defeat
| ed factions, after attempting to ov-
| erthrow for all time our political in
| stitutions by means of violence alone
have destroyed the lives, the rights
and the interests of our fellow citi-
zens; have carried out bloody execu-
tions without regard to any law
have murdered constitutionalists
who fell wounded while fighting for
the liberty of the people. and the
deputies and senators who have de-
Tended with their power of speech
our democratic institutions. have
torn away from their homes peace
full men and even boys. to compel
them to take arms against us, or
| have filled them iwth terror by dew
astating entire cities.
i Destructive acts of the character
have made it apparent that the cause
/ which | represent has constituted
not only political reform revolution
but also has the character of preced-
Ing calm and severe justice which
Furnishes the culpable and safeguards
the Mexican family.
4 According to Law.
with strict difference to the law
provided. the Huertaista officers
| were tried and eecuted in the city of
| Juarez. Among them We're some who
had been captured at Torreon by this
same General Villa. who after par
/ doning them agreed that they should
i be enlisted by our forces Thereaf-
l ter they endeavored, but unsuccess-
fuly, to create "A detection of the men
whom | entrusted to their command,
finally deserting to re-cngage in
crime.
''It is true that the established
principle observed In international
wars extend TO prisoners choice of
pardon or immunity from bodily