The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-03-20
BACA Was BACK.
Former TOpekan Now Success
full Attorney in New Mexico.
He Gives New Light ON the
Mexican Situation.


Mr.. Elfego Baca, former Topekan.
and now one. of the leading attorneys
OF New Mexico, stopped in Topeka to-
day to visit the grave of his mother,
who. is, buried in Topeka cemetery,
and to visit his friend. Charles
Mitchell. of Crane and Company. Mr..
Baca has been in Washington, as the
personal. representative of Gen: Jose
Ynes Salazar, the Mexican federal Of
ficer who is. being held blythe military
officials at Fort Bhssrs ss<
The mission Of Mr.. Baca was to APP
pear before ttk state department in
behalf Of GenbfaKSaiazar. who. it is
claimed, is being held at the prison
camp by the military in direct conflict
to an order Of the federal civil au-
thorities. ..-
According to the Information. Cen
eral Salazar was arrested for a viola
ton of the neutrality laws. charged
with aiding and abetting in smuggling
arms and ammunition across the in
ternational line. He gave the re-
qutred bond before the federal court,
after being held in Jail about two
weeks, and was Immediately rearrest-
ed by military authorities on the same
charge, and is held at the Fort Bliss
'bull pen" with the refugees from
Torreon.
While in Washington Mr.. Baca ap-
Feared before the house committee on
foreign affairs as the guest OF Con-
Sgressman Ainey of Indiana. The
committee agreed that Mr.. Baca had
thrown light on a cloudy question, and
his opinion was eagerly sought by
members. In Baca's opinion, Villa,
the outlaw chief, is about as bad as
they are made, and he is fully salts
fed that Benton was murdered.
ssXyi11o invitod over
and see him about some CATTLE" said
Mr.. Baca, but still have the mat
ter under consideration. Villa doesn't
buy cattle-he sells cattle
Pankey Senator in New Mexico.
Mr.. Baca is a close friend of B. F.
Pankey, formerly of Topeka and now
q senator of New Mexico. He says
Mr.. Pankey is held in high esteem in
that country, and has one of the finest
ranches in the state.
Elfego Baca -yas born in SCcorro, N.
NJ. and was brought to Topeka by
his parents when year old. He was
raised and educated here. and his
mother, brother and sister are buried
in Topeka cemetery. Returning to New
Mexico in early manhood. he became
mayor of his birthplace. Socorro, and
since that time has held many offices
in the state. He has practiced law for
the past 18 years. and held, among 9TH
er offices, those of county clerk, super
intendent of schools and district attor-
ney. He ran for congress in the first
state election. and was defeated by a
small majority. and will probably be
a candidate at the next election.
In his estimation of the Mexican sit
uation, Mr.. Baca is decidedly hostile
to the insurgents. and says that, while
Huerta may Lot be the proper man for
president, he is the choice of the bet
ter class. and great improvement on
any of the outlaws who control the
northern states. For his report, before
the congressional committee he sub
mitted figures showing that the rebels
7 did not control any cities of importance
and that while they controlled an area
of 208,S square miles, with a popula-
: ton of 1,10S, 900, the Huerta government
! held the larger cities, and an area OF
! 556679 square miles with a population
OF II millions. He had catalogued q
long list of crimes committed by the
Bandit Villa.
I Charles Mitchell, who is we'll &C.
quainted in New Mexico. says that Mr.
Baca Is recognized in that state as q
man Of Importance as well as leader
in the legal affairs of the district, and
that his opinion OF the Mexican situa'
ton il shared by a majority of thu
people along the border, who hav,
tionalists and received first-hand infor
. maticn Of outrages committed.
The state department has under con
alteration the petition for the releasl
OF Salazar. but had not reported wheI
Mr.. Baca left Washington.
During his short; visit In Topeka to
day, Mr.. Baca wa6 the guest of Mr.
Mitchell. He left at noon for FL Pas0