The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-07-26
Pen Picture of Carranza


General Carranza is good deal OF surprise
TO any one who has seen only the printed pic
lures OF him, says John 7. McCutcheon, the
Chicago Trbune's correspondent. now at Sal
tilo. preconceived idea OF his face and figure
based upon these familiar pictures will prepar re
one to expect to sec II man Of medium height,
! slightly stout. and with pleasant, professional al
face strangely associated with sweeping
mustache and beard of decidedly military
cut
bad this picture firmly planted in my
mind that 1t was something OF shock when
] first saw him out at the Quinta Manual
Gonzales where large and imposing banquet
was given In his honor by the Casino OF Saltillo
Nearly all of my preconceptions as to his appear
ance were shattered at the first glance. Only
his beard and mustache withstood the test.
They were the familiar ones we all have grown
Everything else was different.
lie is over six feet TALL and in any crowd
would be the most distinguished and impress
sve figure present His features are coarser
and stronger than those of the photographs.
g2uesaue IN It's boldness His hair is almost
black and his complexion rlther svIrth.. the
latter being emphasized by the grn:ness Of his
I beard His oyas are dark and are marked by Il
kindly seriousness In which humor seems TO be
totally lacking. His frame is powerful in
build and, as seen in the crowd Of 80 VINO
attended the al fresco breakfast under the trees
in signor tionSaiez's iuxuriant garden. it domi-
ma ed the other guests tall sycamore domi-
mates cluster OF scrub oak.
One is impressed by of somber
siveness when he first looks upon the first chief
AS President. he would look the part and
act it with much dignity, for he is most
striking figure.
When the Mexicans speak his name they
pronounce it "Carranca." and when they speak
OF his followers, they call them "Carranclstas."
with a strong &C. sound That much I have
learned since ! came into the Constitutionalist
country week ago.
When General Carranza speaks as he did in
acknowledging the honor of the banquet. his
voice is even and his delivery slow He uses
n non Eur,
employ Not once did his VOICE rise above an
even level. and not once was there any effort
to achieve an oratorical climax He stood
beneath great sycamore tree that rose above
and almost completely shaded tho broad tiled
platform where the tables we're arranged 10
accpmmodatc the $50 guests who were crowded
closely about him as he spoke doubt If any
one nifty fee; away could have heard him He
spoke with great dignity and apparent sincerity.
ihere was no striving for effect.
My impression OF Carranaa is much more
favorable than IL had been before SAW him.
lie looks aud acts like substantial man from
whom one might expect digued and civilized
presidential chair in Chapuitepoc lie is not
magnetic. and cannot believe that he could
arouse the people TO great enthusiasm. such a
hghiing nero OF the villa type would inspire.
His career. that OF respacta bic, well-educatcd
business man. or hacendado. Is tn. Kind
that appeals TO the imagination, but ii is one
that appeals to common He has n marked
degree OF quiet force, and when one hears him
demagosue or a CRATER.
He was educated in the common schools here
in the State OF Coahula, and later through
a higher school course in Mexico City He owns
large hacienda near Cuatro Cienegas but Is
not very rich man His family consists ot
himself and wife and Two daughters. Miss julia
and Miss Virginia. who were educated in 81.
Louis, and my glimpses Of their family life.
which have been possible because OF my
acquaintance with young American girl who is
now visiting the CarranZa family. have given
me most pleasant impression OF the home
influences surrounding the
The girls are simple and friendly. and quite
unspoiied by the prominence that events have
given them. They speak English Very well
although neither their father nor mother speaks
the language. II the Carranza family reaches
the presidency of Mexico II is certain that
even if not socially brilliant There is (.
strong atmosphere Of substantial responsibility
around the CarranZa household