The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-02-26
The Carranza Mystery.

Inere IS some mystery ABOUT the
movements and plans Of Governor CAR.
aANzA, the head Of the rebellion in
Mexico and the commander In chief of
the Constitutionallst forces. Juarez
was captured by General Francisco
VILLA on November 10. and Ojinaga
fell into his hands on January 10.
Since the earlier triumph OF the ex
outlaw little has been heard Of the an
thority and dignity of his titular SUI
perior. Through a capable press agent
General VILLA has proclaimed his 10y
atty to Governor CARRASzA and dis
claimed ambition TO DE more than a
soldier fighting for the cause: but II
actions speak lOuder than words Gen
eral VILLA Is governing In chihuahua
ms well us planning the campaign
ag inst TorreOn. II II VILLA. and not
CAxRANzA. who Is raising and issuing
money and organizing civil govern
ment." with mail service and military
police. In chihuahua.
Nearly three months have elapsed
since VILLA began to sign himself com
mander Of the only army In the north
and TO give out interviews and tele-
graph his plans and policies to the
United States as n he held the centre
Of the stage and CARRANzA were In the
background. where he properly be-
longed. There has been no explanation
OF the reluctance or failure OF CAR.
RANzA TO move his headquarters from
llermosillo TO chihuahua. Frequently
1t has been reported that he was on
his way. but something has gone awry.
In January, instead OF proceeding in
the direction Of chihuahua to meet
his victorious General and establish
himself there. Governor CARRASzA
turned UP at Culiacan. In Sinaloa. $50
miles south OF IIermosillo (there is a
railroad between them and go miles
southwest of chihuahua.
1t would have been compa ratlvely
easy for VILLAS superior TO reach Chi
huahua from Culiacan, for there is
good railroad connection unless the
track has been torn up In places: but
1t could have been replaced. Scarcely
a word has come from Governor CAR
RAMA for weeks ON January 25 he
telcsraphed to all whom 1t might con-
Germ the sentiment that after the tri-
umph Of the cause ] represent consti-
tutional order and peace will be estab-
l!shed in the country" Recently he
has been quoted from Culiacan as &C
cepting in VILLAS own language the
Generals account Of the despatch of
WILLIAM s. BENTON. which was at lea ST
curious.
According to n brief announcement
CARRANzA arrived In Nermosillo from
Culiacan on February 90 and was to
leave HermosillO two days later for
Aqua Prieta. thence to ride to 1.-THE
nearest point In Chihuahua reached by
railroad" Tuesday he was reported
ut Nog lies, on the boundary line and
200 miles due north Of Hermosillo by
railroad. Aqua Prieta. also on the
boundary line, Is 100 miles east OF
Nogales, and an all rail route would
by riding across country from Aqua
Prieta to Corraiitos. CARRANzA and his
singularly large force OF 1000 mel
could there take the cars and reach
either Juarez or Chihuahua. Why he
should approach chihuahua from the
north now when he could have got there
/ from the southwest weeks ago II Is
difficult to understand. Unless there
Is some obstacle the long delayed meet
ing between the chief OF the rebellion
and the victor Of Juarez and Ojinags
should occur In q few days, when tn,
mystery OF the true relations Of the
two men may be cleared up.