The Washington herald., 1914-02-23
MEXICAN WAR films
CHEERED and KISSED
Demonstration at Belasco When Huer.
ta's Picture Is Shown by
Count de Besa.
LECTURE HIGHLY INTERESTING

Kisses mingled with applause and fol
minute miniature Mexican war wa:
imminent among a capacity audience a,
the Belasco Theater last night, when, In
the course Of highly educational and
entertaining .alk on Mexico" by Count
Lorenzo de Besa. the picture OF Huerta
was thrown upon the screen.
The demonstration lasted fully thret
minutes. II was evident that the opinion
Of the provisional president OF the
southern republic among Washingtonians
is decidedly divided. The Sunday even.
ing spirit, combined, perhaps, with a
tendency toward the "watchful waiting
theory in the minds OF the majority OF
spectators was victorious and the storm
remained confined to its tea kettle" pro-
portions.
Count de Besa made It clear at the
outset that the exhibition Of the stere-
opticon pictures had no purpose other
than to throw light upon existing condi-
tions in Mexico. He said his aim in
exhibiting the films was chiefly to es-
tablish a historical document
The situation in Mexico is that of a
volcano-it may burst out at any mo-
ment," said Count de Besa at the open
ing of the exhib- ion. Peace must
come. am an advocate of peace"
In speaking of the killing of Benton
not believe that this killing was un-
justified. for IL it was villa would lose
all his popularity. The constitution
alist leader was highly praised by the
speaker. General applause greeted
Count de Besa's declaration that the
British government has at all times
protected its subjects all over the
world
Count de Besa repeated the story
printed exclusively in last Thursdays
Washington Herald of-thc daughter of
President Wilson being captured and
held in captivity by the rebels a year
ago. Miss Wilson and Mrs. Wilson
told me about this experience. and Miss
Wilson added that she still loves Mex
ico," said the speaker.
The lecturer announced that on March
. Lionel Garden, the British representa-
tive in Mexico. will be in Washington.
The pictures will again be shown at the
Belasco next Tuesday
The views shown by Count de Besa are
as beautiful and artistic as they are
instructive. Some OF them, views OF rag
ing battles, have been taken under
dangerous circumstances
Uncle Sans boys /, blue" were shown
practicing with their gattling guns-the
1Oo-shot-s minute e-kind-fighting sham bat
ties and holding dress parades- A splen-
did view was shown of the inspection of
the Atlantic fleet by Secretary of the
Navy Daniels.
The first part Of the exhibition dealt
with the men and happenings previous
to the present Mexi N regime. When
the picture OF Gen. Porfirio Diaz, for
thirty years dictator Of the republic, and
now an exile, was shown, the audience
applauded- In showing the picture of
Francisco ]. Madero, whom he called the
Martyr President" Count de Besa said
that this man would have made a fine
President of Mexico fifty years from
now"
A feature Of the exhibition was the
showing of drills by civilians, who are
being trained by Huerta, ito fight the
Americans some day." as Count de Bcsa
put It. The pictures of the funeral of
Madero were very impressive. Count de
Besa paid high praise to the war COR
respondents.