The Detroit times., 1914-04-27

separate class shall use the country
fer its own personal gains
II heVe seen villa several times and
have studied him Although he was
a bandit az one time-holding
forth in Cananea and other places
in northern Mexico believe he
Is honest ia his struggles on behalf
OF the poorer class The typical Mex
icau Is often like clay In the hands OF
the political potter, but In my esti-
nation villa is q greater man than
any other Mexican / ever met and
! believe he Viii prove equal 90 any
great task with which he Is confront
ed Mexico is suffering from great
many things. and one OF the changes
that would make il much more pro
gressiye would be more education.
From my observations Mexican chill
d.en are not impressed with the great
value OF education and no nation can
go onward unless It's children are
trained along these lines"
Touching upon the landing OF Unit
ed States marines al Vera Cruz, MT
Pletz said IL would Doe a dltfcult task
for American troops 10 make their
way 20 the City OF Mexico. He was
Ia Vera Cruz for several days las;
autumn, while on his way to the City
OF Mexico.
There Is only one railroad between
Vera Cruz and the City OF Mexico he
said, "and should American troops at,
tempt 10 invade the City OF Mexico
the distance Of 200 miles between
these two places would prove quite
burdensome. The train climbs about
10000 feet from the time 10 leaves
Vera Cruz until IL reaches the ma
tional capital II requires . hours
to cover the distance by express train
end about rs hours by local. While
the American soldier is far superior
To the Mexican army man, guerilla
warfare would undoubtedly prove a
big handicap, as was demonstrated In
the war in the Philippine Islands
Vera Cruz is made up OF large mum
Der OF foreigners Ii is essentially a
commercial seaport and is much more
progressive than inland Mexican cities
where modern ideas and customs nave
not laid their Impress"
Mr.. Pletz was one OF a large num-
Der OF Americans who fled from Can
anea during a big battle that took
place betN cen tile tederals and reb.
els on Easter morning. last year. The
actual fighting' started at o'clock IN
the morning and there was desultory
flghtinr ali forenoon. At noon the fed
erals raised flag OF truce and the
reeeIs Withdrew temporarily 10 carry
= i2asS aald ~ 49, ss,,is $50
fed OF battle. The two armies r..
newed fighting late in the afternoon
Mr.. Pletz and two, other Americans
were the last to hee. They left Can.
anea at o'clock Monday morning
They met the rebels when they had
walked Is miles and were held up Tor
Information. The rebels pointed their
rifle, at Mt. Pletz and his companions
then changed their plans and returned
10 Cananea. but he continued to walk
TO Naco, Ariz Arriving at this town
tie Mexican federals took him In Gus
tody. marched him 20 the barracks
ano searched him. Finding that he
was not connected with the rebels,
two federal officers escorted him to
within a hundred yards or the United
States border and released him.
After the rebels had captured Can
anea and q semblance OF order had
Leen restored" said Mr.. PletZ, II re-
turned to that city and remained sew
eral months. when | went TO Douglas,
Ariz., and latter came to Detroit
Mr.. Pletz says discomfort has been
evident IN Mexico for many years and
that a great leader-one who stands
for equality OF opportunity and
square deal for all. Is needed. IL villa
or any other leader who now figures
In the panorama OF activities fails TO
come up TO the requirements or the
hour another man OF striking force
aud courage must loom up and pitch
into the struggle IL peace and tran
guilty are to rule again over the land
10 the south.