Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-06-11
CONCEPTION NINE. zAcATECAs.
zACATECAS OFFERS
MODEL T0MEX|CANS
Civilized Warfare in That Sec
ton Surprise of the
Campaign.
REVOLUTION MARKED BY
ABSENCE OF ATROCITIES
Gen. Panflo Natera Is Credited for
Humane Methods of Rebel
Subjugation of State.
BY CHARLES M. PEPPER.

Special Correspondence of The Star.
DURANGO, Mexico. June 5.-Civil-
lied warfare has been so rare in the
present struggle between the armed
factions that it is a surprise to hear
of section in which it actually has
had existence.
That may be one reason why SO lit
tie is known of the military move
ments in the state of Zacatecas- Inc
outside world knows nothing of the
Zacatecas campaign because it has not
been marked by atrocities and bar
barities.
A Different Type.
| This was brought home to me by
meeting here a number of the constitu-
| tionalist commanders who have been
| engag ed in the Zacatecas campaign.
They came to Durango to arrange for
the final movements which are to re-
suit in taking the city Of Zacatecas
whenever Villa gives the word. ] was
somewhat impressed with the differ
ence between them and many Of the
other constituencies officers.
Zacatecas used to be known because
of the tourists and book writer's VINO
were in the habit of writing about its
dry climate, and the deferred expecta-
ton of the oldest inhabitant that he
might live long enough to see rain.
Much of it is desert, but IT also mas
mineral wealth and is an important
state.
In casual way I had followed the
progress of the revolutionary troops.
but could not recall reading anything
about Zacatecas. My impression was was
that both the state and city were still
in the control of the federals. 1t was.
therefore with surprise that / read OF
Cen Carranza going into the state to
set up the framework OF constitution
the scaffolding for the permanent
structure.
On making inquiry ] was told that
the troops had prepared a, the way st. Tor
ment was added that they were not
Villas troops-that is. they were not
part of Villas original army although
they are under him as commanoerln-
chief of the army of the north
I'VE are not bandits" said one or
the officers, bluntly. I'VE snoot the
bandits"
Another officer added. None Of our
commanders has taken hundred
thousand dollars from anybody From
this the inference might be drawn that
some of the constitutionalist COM
| manders do practice blackmail
A Model Revolution.
| Further inquiry disclosed the fact
| that there has been little of the wan
ton destruction of property in Zaca-
tecas that has marked the war in
| other states Full protection has
been given TO foreigners and neutrals.
| As far as I could make out, the revo-
luton in Zacatecas has been really a
| model one.
| Credit for this civilized warfare is
| universally given to Gen Panfilo Ma
1 1T ~ AN
Natera in connection with several of
the more important battles between
| the federals and constitutionalists, and
knew he had made record as a dar-
ing commander who had Villas con-
| tidence. and who resembled villa in
the skill with which he mobiliZed small
| bodies of troops and made dashing at
| tacks 1t was news to me, however, to
Zacatecas and that the success of the
| revolutionary troops there was so large
| ly due to him.
Vantage point after vantage point has
| been taken from the federals. with little
| publicity possibly for the reason l have
| stated, that there have been no atroc-
! tiles It is evident that Gen. Natera is
one of the men produced by the revolu-
ton for whom supporters OF the consul
tutionalist cause will not have to apollo
gize, Like SO many Of the leaders. he
| has no biography and it is only with
difficulty that / could piece together
| something of his history.
Of Indian Stock.
Gen. Natera is under thirty He is of
almost pure Indian stock. His father
was one of the middle class land owners,
so far as there can be said to be a
middle class in Mexico. Gen. Natera
himself was the owner OF small ha-
| cienda He went into the Madero revo-
luton and made some reputation as a
comma nder but he was little known IN
I'll the revolt against Huerta.
He caupaigned IN Chihuahua and
Coahuila and took leading part in the
| battle of Ojinaga. when the federals were
| driven across the border last January.
Then he returned to the Zacatecas cam
paign.
Before this Gen. Natera was active
| in impeding the advance Of the federal
| troops which Huerta sent north to re-
inforce his various garrisons. Natera
blocked their passage through Zacatecas.
Gen. Felasco. who gave Villa such q
hard fight at Torreon and San Pedro.
was of the federal commanders who
| found il easier to take his command
| north To Torreon by a roundabout way