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

tCcltlnueu Ifum page OneI
than / am in the Mexican rebels or
federals," he said this morning.
A man or engaging personality, q
linguist. a scholar and keen observer,
DIR. Hodel has brought to Hawaii prob
ably the most authoritative statnmeLss
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 will 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 sin
cerity and high aim, he does not be
lieye that the present policy OF
..watchful waiting" will win. The rea,
son, he says frankly, lies in the char
acteristics of many millions OF Mexi'
can people.
"The president credits them with
high traits they do not possess" be
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
Mexico first to learn the situation from
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 constitutionalist
country by way of New Orleans and
FL Paso.
Thus he was in Juarez at the time
CT the Benton killing.
Readers Of the Star-Bulletin will re-
member that the first news of Ben
tons death arrived here by cable on
the afternoon of Friday, February 20,
and that he had been killed the pre-
vious Tuesday, February II.
In Villas Room.
On February IL at 1920 o'clock in
the morning DR.. Hodel was with Gen.
eral villa in the latter's room at Juar.
e.
''1e was as tranquil as you or
now said Doctor Hodel today. yet,
as it turned out, that was only a few
minutes 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. remember that q
soldier stopped us from going into one
of the rooms, stopped us brusQuely
Later there entered the room where
was talking with Villa an officer who
1t is not unlikely, was the man who
really killed Benton. .
It was three days later before Ben
tons disappearance aroused notice
and then suspicion and the story OIL
the death came out
Later DR.. Hodel left for San Fran
CISCO In San Francisco he received
a telegram from the Italian consul al
Chihuahua, asking for his statement
about being with Villa on the morn
ing Benton was killed. This state
ment was telegraphed 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 fol-
Villa. He describes him as man oil
lew intelligence and ferocious traits
He believes that Huerta will crush
the rebellion and remain at the helm
of Mexican affairs. He considers HUI
erta far above Villa in intelligence
purpose and ability.
After seeing these rebels, you fee
that Huerta will win" he says He
feels also that Huerta's method, like
Diaz' method, is the only one that as
slres peace in Mexieo-the method oil
the iron hand.
DR.. Hodel is Swiss and while in
San Francisco was made commission
er for the large Swiss colony of Cali
fornia to arrange for a Swiss build
ing. He hopes to complete arrange
ments for this while in Europe this
summer.