The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-03-14
All the Powers of Life and
Death Are His.
ASPIRES TO Be president
Nothing Short of That VIII
Satisfy His Ambition.
Movement Against Torreon
Awaits Carranza's Arrival.

Chihuahua. Mexico, March 14.-"Villa,
the one time bandit. will be the next
president of Mexico. That Is his ambi-
tion and despite all reports to the con-
trary, it will remain his ambition until
he either is dead or president"
This declaration was made today by
a friend. so close to General Villa as
to give authority to the assertion. 1t
was prompted by reports that the COM
ing to Chihuahua of General Carranza.
recognized as the civil head OF the rev.
olution, was to bring about conditions
more satisfactory to foreign govern
ments and to place in the seat of au-
thority better advisers than General
Villa appears to have in handling COM
plications growing out OF the killing OF
William s. Benton, British subject.
That Villa and CarranZa might meet
and that they might publicly embrace
as an evidence of their perfect harmony
was given out as a POSSIBILITY.
General CarranZa is now on his way
overland from Sonora and magn1h-
cent marble building has been prepared
as the official residence or capitol in
which he is to perfect the details OF
government. But it was stated en-
phatically that the coming OF Carranza
is not to lessen in any way the power
now welded by Villa, who for months
has been a dictator.
General Villa will remain supreme
commander through the progress Of the
revolution said one Of his advisers.
His succession of victories against the
federal army. his sweeping away OF the
Huerta soldiers from the north of Mex
leo, while Carranza remained in COM
parative obscurity on the Pacific slope,
have so exalted him in the minds OF his
soldiers as to make his subOrdination
to any one else improbable.
Why villa Waits.
General Villa could not afford to
go south at the head Of his troops in
the attack on Torreon before he had
first satisfied himself that his going
will not result in the loss of any Of his
power" t--
In the absence of any indication
that General villa intended to move
southwark immediately, this city. the
largest In rebel territory, apparently
has resigned itself to an indefinite
state Of revolution. Outwardly, condi-
tions are almost normal. The military
band discourses operatic music on the
lights. a wandering Tarahuomere. In
dian garbed, only in a blanket. a pair
of boots and a silk hat. joins the pa
rade and an enterprising merchant
opens a soda water fountain. But the
bugle calls. the silent disappearance
of suspects the reports of execu-
tions and general knowledge that
many people for months have been
hiding in the Easements OF buildings,
form another aspect Of life, little men,
toned. The man on the hill, General
Villa, who resides on an elevation a
few blocks from the United States
consulate, is the one man who can
pronounce life or death for any of
those who stroll in the plaza or hide
in the Easements.
His Wealthy Prisoner.
Residing in his own marble home,
not far from the plaza, but held a
prisoner, is Luis Terrazas, jr., son of
one of the richest families in Mexico,
under the Diaz regime. AS he PAGES
up and down the tiled floors of his
palace, not knowing what moment he
may be called to face the firing squad,
Terrazas can hear the cathedral bells
and at night the military band. When
seen today the prisoner appeared to
be utterly hopeless Of his release.
He has been confined here ever
since General Villas army entered the
city. last December. When told that
his father, now a refugee in Ell Paso,
was making every effort to procure
his release, the prisoner merely shook
his head. More than once, since his
detention, he has been subjected to
tortures to reveal places where Ter
razas money was supposed to be hid
den. AS understood here Terrazas Ia
being held by the rebels for three
purposes. These are:
So that money may be extorted