Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1914-04-09

Villa expelled the Dons from Chihuahua
four months ago and since has repeatedly
stated that other Spaniards would better
get out of Mexico before he caught them.
His abiding conviction that they We're
working one man against the revolt
ton found frequent expression while he
was IN Juarez, at which time he asserted
that he would execute every one that he
found in Torreon.
The Spanish government was aroused
and WASHINGTON descended on the const-
nationalist chiefs with words of warning
and admonltton.
Villa promised that Spania rds innocent
of political activity should not be harmed.
This official but In talking with re-
porters and friends it was said his tenn
per frequently betrayed him into the most
tragic threats. Some of those constantly
associated with tho rebel leader said he
did not expect to find many Spaniards
who would deserve his cemency.
GUILTY UNTIL CLEARED.
Their expulsion. it is said. is taken to
indicate that all are to be held guilty until
innocence is proved. Villa promised that
he would nvestigate closely the conduct
of each Spaniard and that in due course
those found TO have lent no aid to the
enemy would be allowed to return
To establish their innocence while
not represented before the investiga
tors, with their cases in the hands Of
a hostile court and themselves in
foreign land. 1T is said, will be an al
most hopeless task.
The order was received in tragic
silence, followed by passionate out
bursts of pleading and lament, say
persons who We're present. All as
serted that they had remained neutral
80 far as they could, but with the mil
itsry government in the hands of the
Pederals they were compelled at times
to render such aid as was demanded
the use of houses and corrals for in
stance. and the forced contribution of
money and food.
DEATH OR PRISON
To have refused. they said would
have meant death or at least impris-
onment, but villa said he was inclin ed
to believe that there was little re-
luctance in the aid and comfort they
extended to his enemies. He is said
TO resent the fact that they did not
leave the city when he announced it
would he well for them to do so,
Mexican hatred of the Spanlards the
people say, is a tradition handed down
from tho days of the conquest. 1t has been
a part of their lives for three centuries,
they declare In Mexico, the ranch over
seer, the small shopkeeper, the money
lendel'-in short the butcher, the baker
and candlesticlS maker of Mexican life
has been n Spaniard and is alleged to
have used his superior Intelligence to the
disadvantage of the natives Other for
eigncrs it is said, are less subject to re-
sentiment. They, for the most part, It is
pointed out, have been the heads of great
enterprises which brought money into
the country and which were managed
from atar They were viewed more as
abstract powers, rather than as in
dividuals, 1t is said by students of the
eo"ntry. Even their agents on the ground
generally appeared as dispensers of work
and money and new comforts
VILLAS SOLDIERS DELIGHTED.
MeXicans say it has been the Spaniard
with whom the native has come In direct
contact, largely because they speak the
same language, and to him rightly or
wrongly they attribute most of the OPP
re.sions of their daily life
1t is from this peon class that Villas
army Is largely recruited and the sol
ders expressed their satisfaction at the
expulsion order
During tho lighting the Spaniards tool
refuge in a large bank building. On en-.
roring the city Villa told them to keor
Off the streets, an order which they
obeyed, 1t was said, in fear and trem
bling. This morning he visited them and
informing them of the adverse sentiment
IN his army, ordered them to be ready
to leave Tomorrow morning
EXPULSION Is HARDSHIP
1t is a great hardship, 1t is declared, 70,
most of the Spaniards have their home,
and business in the city; many of then
were born here and consider themselve,
Mexicans. In FL Paso, however the,
will find many Of their countrymen VIII,
were expelled from Chihuahua and who
It is said have hoped against hope tina
villa would he defeated at Torreon. an,
that in the end Huerta would triumph
and restore them to their homes
Only Spaniards are affected by the
order. All other foreigners are now FIRE,
to so and come as they please, and Gen
era villa says he is anxious that they
shall resume their wonted occupations
To-day j. NJ. Timer, with the consent o
General Villa and in his capacity as act
ing American consular agent, posted no
tees on all American property, DECLARING
that II must be held lnvioIate under pen
atty.
II was hard to realize to-day that th'
city only three days ago was the scene o
Il great battle with requiem of shot an'
shells sounding over the heaps of dead II