The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-04-25
Copyright Scott Photo Co.

Il do not know so much about
statesmen. but reason tells me they
must be like soldiers IN this respect.
Alcohol Is not friend of my coun-
try. 1t is an enemy. I want every
enemy of Mexico banished.'
Already Gen. Villa has begun to
carry out his dry" policy. For a
week before any troops pass through
town, during their stay and for a
week after their departure no liquor
is allowed to be sold or even given
away. In Torreon. through the in
fluence of one of the party. we drank
diplomatic tea" which was nothing
more nor less than twenty year old
wine served in china pitchers and
coffee cups.
Gen. Villa invites you to inspect
his train" said the stan officer after
the conversation had become less seri-
Gus.
OF course we nodded our acceptance
and motioned our thanks to the Gem
eral. At times like this the sign
language can be very efficient.
The host himself led the way
When women go to war ] choose to
be a generaless. Soldering in a NOV
all the pleasures of home has it all
over soldering on top Of and UNDER
meath box cars.
There was the Generals bed. with a
covcrlot of yellow satin damask and
white embroidered linen pillows. Bed
chambers for members of his staff and
his secretary adjoined, In the next
car were the dining room and kitchen,
a mi
serving table and chairs and the kit
chen with a modern range.
on the platform Of this car four
or five live chickens We're secured by
means of ropcd legs. No Mexican
considers travelling equipments COM
plete without few live chickens.
our own Mexican cook adhered to this
habit religiously. Some one whispered
that these particular chickens were
gamecocks. Gen. Villa takes a keen
pleasure in Cockfights.
The third car was made up of n sort
OF antechamber containing a PLAYER
piano, barber shop with fitting chair
and other professional accoutrements.
room with a couch where the Gen.
eral enjoys his siesta and a bath with
shower attachments.
n
new toy as he exhibited this final
luXury-a bathroom. He turned the
faucets to show both hot and cold
water could be had and pointed with
pride to the shower Some one began
playing the piano. The General
chuckled
That is one Of eight pianos I have
collected from the enemy" he said.
Il Kept this one to make us glad
sometimes while We are moving from
place to place. The others have been
given to friends of the cause"
There was a farewell handshake "a
We were leaving.
Il am happy to have had the pleas
ure of conveying you safely to Tor
reon." were Gen. Villas parting words.
III there Is anything further you de-
sire ! wish to assist you. hope Won
Will say good things Of my country
and countrymen.
MY feeling for the United States
and her people is that OF sincere
friendship. You are considering go
ing to Monterey. 1t is a fine city.
Our troop trains are leaving for there
every fifteen minutes. My own train
leaves tonight
II would he pleased to have your
car attached to my train If you decide
to go. There is some danger for the
women, but my own belief is you will
all be safe and no trains will he mo-
Tested. When we meet again I pray
my country may he at peace. Ados,"
Outside the crowd was still jostlng
and pushing in its efforts to get
closer to the car. When the door
opened it stood on tiptoes, craning
necks for glimpse of the inside and
of the man who stands fair show of
winning in the game of war. turned
my head. Gen. villa was smiling. The
unquenchable lights of conquest were
dancing in his eyes.
We had visited Villa without the
exchange of a single shot. Nothing
but the polite patter of sociability
and the few forceful facts the General
had time to give us had marked the
visit to the man who, be he bandit or
patriot, is the man Of the hour in
Mexico.