The Brunswick news. [volume] (Brunswick, Ga.) 1906-2016, 1915-02-07
Villa Takes Charge.

.
villa has tired of setting UP presi-
dental proxies. whom he has to watch
aud warn and ultimately throw ont OF
window SO he has taken the title him
self and, as far al possible, assumed
the office of provisional president of
Mexico. His Jurisdiction is eoexten-
siye with k!s armed authority and no
farther. OF course, and, now more than
ever, he will have to make good az a
fighting man. 1t must be said that he
hag been somewhat disappointing in
;..t capacity Of late not realizing the
promise of his early career. and 1t is
not improbable that his course will be
like so many of like experience and
enterprise that. having passed out of
his legitimate sphere and attempted
things for which he was in no wise
fitted, he has lost the cunning of his
true employment Since he took to
managing the political end Of affairs in
his camp, villa has lost ground. AS
military chief under Carranza he was
d great success. IL is certain he would
be a CHASTITY joke az president Of Mex
leo If he could establish himself in
undisputed control of the country, al
though, by paradox, it might be said
that the only function Of and, there
fore, the only qualification for the
presidency of Mexico, IL control of the
country. That waB, for long time,
the sole support Of Diaz's title, but
by making able use OF his opportuni
ties, he came. IN time, to be some
thing more than a chief Of police for
the nation. 1t IL possible Villa might
develop stateBmanlike qualities, but
thus far he has shown little promise
Of such talents.
At Washington villa has enjoyed Il
good deal OF credit and Ia stll, appar
emily, regarded with hope as the
strong man of Mexico. II he could
make good his claim to the title of
president he would probably obtain
recognition from this government. 1t
has always been a puzzle that ruth
less militant like villa should have
favor with pacificist regime, but
something mny be understood of the
matter from the Indianapolis speech of
the president, In which he declared for
the right of the common people
Mexico to fight and Stay in the name
OF liberty to their hearts content.
villa proclaims himself tho champion
OF the common people and has prom
Used to give over the country to the
poems, and ho has been the most emf
nent exemplar of the fighting bust
ness since the Madcro Revolutionary
ccpt zapata, whose employment. not
only, but this permanent profession.
also. has been fighting.
Villas proclamation of himself az
provisional president does not come
anywhere near to making him head of
the Mexican republic, Carranza has
at least as good claim AS his for
mer subordinate, who used 10 pledge
such loyalty TO the first chief and has
cxemplified the national trait of
treaehery that made IIuerta so abhor-
rent Carransas cause, if not his per
son, is served by several able COM
manders notably General Obrcgon,
who walked through the villa and Ia
pata forces and took over the capital
almost without a struggle With these
men villa viii have to reckon before
he can set up barbaric court for him
self. There ought to be plenty of good
killing in Mexico yet.
The literacv test had no business in