New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-05-08
LIFT EMBARGO And
I'll END WAR-VlLLA
u. S. Edict Uselessly Pro-
tracing Struggle, Says
Rebel Leader.
HAS NO HOSTILITY
FOR THIS COUNTRY
Asserts II Would Be Folly for
Him to Fight Americans Over
Man Like Huerta.

Torreon. Mexico, May IA plea for
the lifting Of the embargo on arms as
the swiftest and most humanitarian
method of bringing peace to Mexico
was made in an interview to-day by
General Villa, general in chief OF the
Constitutionalist army
The embargo is protracting this
struggle uselessly." he said II hope
the American government understands
that the embargo is interfering seri-
ously with the plans of the Constitu-
tlonalists. Gomez Palacio, Torreon,
San Pedro de Las Colonias and even
Monterey were Constitutionalist Sue
cesses due TO the brief lifting of the
embargo. Mexico should be pacified.
We cannot gain this end quickly while
we suffer from lack OF ammunition.
I'VE can continue this struggle for
better social and economic conditions
in Mexico by capturing our ammuni-
ton from the enemy, as we have done
largely in the past, but such method
would necessarily drag the war over 4
long period. | believe, therefore, that
every humanitarian consideration ar
cues for the lifting of the embargo.
The sooner we can secure the arms and
ammunition we need the sooner the
country will be pacified. I am sure the
American people will have no difficulty
in understanding this"
Gen. Villa spoke Of his attitude to-
ward the United States and Americans
in event that hostilities should ensue
between the two countries.
Il WISH" he said, ito make it clear
TO the people of the United States that
| am anxious for all Americans con-
nected with industries in Mexico to re-
turn and again take up their pursuits.
wish to add that the foreigners now
in Mexico and those who return will
have nothing to fear should it ever
come to war between Mexico and the
United States. and | give my word
that everything possible would be done
by me TO protect them. Should they
desire to leave the country in such an
event would place enough rolling
stock at their disposal to take them
and all their movable property out OF
Mexico"
Gen. Villa said that the involving of
his party in war with the United States
was a remote possibility.
why talk Of war with the United
States?" he said. 1T would be ex-
tremely fooishi for two reasonable and
intelligent men to fight over a drunken
man, and would il not be the height of
10 come to blows over q man like
Huerta? II seems to me that the en-
tire civilized world would laugh should
this come to pass
General Villa reiterated his belief
in the good will of the American peo-
pie toward Mexico.
After ALL" he said, "our interests
are mutual A boundary is only an
imaginary political line. Socially and
economically the Rio Grande has never
proved a stiff barrier to the nations
separated by it. I believe that all of
the enlightened Americans and Mexi-
cans take this stand. | know | do.
However, there is much in society
The Mexicans would remain Mexicsns
just as the Americans prefer TO re
main Americans. For that reason we
Mexicans would defend our country
10 the last. I take the liberty to say
that before war between the United
States and Mixico would be term
mated, few Mexicans would be left
alive. 1t is not every American who
believes this, yet dare say that Amer
leans who have lived in Mexico will
agree with me that the Mexican loves
his country as much as the man of
any other race. But | am now and
always have been for peace"