Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1914-03-24
FROM REBEL
CAMP, HODEL
COMES HERE
CONTINUED FROM page one,


than am in the Mexican rebels or
federals," he said this morning.
A man OF engaging personality. a
-linguist, scholar and keen observer,
DR.. Hodel has brought to Hawaii prob
ably the most authoritative statement
yet made as to conditions In Mexico.
the influence Of the Wilson policy. the
outlook for the future and the effect
of II all on Europe.
He summarizes his belief in the
concise statement that Huerta viii be
victorious and that the United States
must either recognize Huerta or re-
store order with armed force. Though
discreet in his utterances and giving
President Wilson full credit for sim
cerfty and high aim. he does not be-
.lieve that the present policy Of
.watchful waiting" will win. The rea-
son, he says frankly. lies in the char
acteristics of many millions of Next
can people.
The president credits them with
high traits they do not possess he
says.
DR.. Hodel followed the Balkan war
to its close, through the military cam
paigns to the diplomatic negotiations
that resulted in the peace treaty of
Bucharest. He was in the Roumanian
capital and peace was assured when
he received telegram from his pa
per ordering him to Mexico. A few
days later he was in the troubled
Mexican republic Arriving In the
United States in August, he went to
the government or federal side, at
Mexico City, Vera Cruz and elsewhere.
Then he went south to the Panama
canal and Central America. From
there he returned to Mexico, this time
going to the rebel or constftutionalist
country by way of New Orleans and
Ell Paso
Thus he was in Juarez at the time
of the Benton killing.
Readers of the Star-Bulletin will re-
member chat the first news of Ben
tons death arrived here by cable on
the afternoon of Friday, February 90,
and that he had been killed the pre-
vious Tuesday, February IL.
In Villas Room.
On February II at 10:30 o'clock in
the morning Dr. HodeI was with Gen.
eral Villa in the latter's room at Juar-
eZ.
He was as tranquil as you or L
now" said Doctor Hodel today. yet.
as it turned out, that was only few
after the killing Of Benton. +
had seen Benton some days before
and he was pointed out to me with the
comment that he was fine fellow.
At that time, Tuesday, the killing
was not known l remember that
soldier stopped US from going into one
Of the rooms, stopped us brusquely.
Later there entered the room where I
was talking with Villa an officer who,
1t is not unlikely, was the man who
really killed Benton"
1t was three days later before Ben
tons disappearance aroused notice
and then suspicion and the story of
thu death came out
Later DIR. Hodel left for San Fran
cisco. In San Francisco he received
a telegram from the Italian consul at
Chihuahua, asking for his statement
about being with Villa on the morn
ing Benton was killed. This state
ment was telsgraphed back. It is pre-
sumed that the consular corps wished
It for the investigation then in pro-
gress.
Doesn't Admire Villa.
That Benton was summarily killed
seems, to be plain after talking with
DR.. Hodel. He has no admiration for
villa. He describes him as a man of
CIV intelligence and ferocious traits.
He believes that Huerta will crush
he rebellion and remain at the helm
If Mexican affairs. He considers HUI
srta far above Villa in intelligence,
purpose and ability.
After seeing these rebels, you feel
hat Huerta will win," he says He
eels also that Huerta's method, like
Oiaz' method, is the only one that as
'Ires peace in Mexico-the method of /
he iron hand
DR.. Hodel is a Swiss and while in
Jan Francisco was made commission
II for the large Swiss colony of Cali
ornia to arrange for a Swiss build
ng. He hopes to complete arrange
nants for this while in Europe this
summer +. Ill. :.