The farmer and mechanic., 1915-03-02
(New York Sum-


Che Constitutionalist forces III SOU
shern Mexico. General Obregon was
fhe hero Of the battles of Puehla and
Mexico City; he is a new figure among
the Mexican chiefs. Next TO the first
chief of the Constitutionalists. Venus
1auo Carranza, he is the most po-
pular man i'll his party.
Until a few weeks ago, when he
iefeated the largest army ever gather
Ell ny Villa and Zapata, drove them
rom their fortified positions and
captured the city Of Puebla, hes was
utfle known. 1t is true he had taken
an active part in the revolt against
Diaz and Huerta. but like many others
ae was soon forgotten. But when
3he news IF the capture of Puebia was
followed by the fall Of the city OF
mexico a shout Of Joy went up from
poems and Indians and General Obre-
s,n became a popular idol.
Strange as IT may seem, General
Dbregon, while holding the fortress of
the Constitutionalist forces within his
handS, is at heart no soldier at all.
While acquitting himself with credit
upon the battlefield he is dreaming
# peace and tranquility. His ambi
zion is TO return to his farm and cul-
lvatc his little patch of land. More
than once he has expressed his dis
zust for the game of warfare. 1t is
a devils game, he declares, in which
human beings should not indulge.
Nevertheless q Drawer fighter is not
60 be found in the ranks Of the Con-
stiUtionaliStS.
I'm The days when porfiriO Diaz was
stin ruler OF Mexico Obregon was a
farmer on the distant plains OF the
state OF Sonora. There. far away
from civilization. he lived his simple
life, hardly dreaming Of the days when
ne would have to forsake his plough
for the rifle and sword. Then the cali
came Ii was in the days when
francisco I. Madero started the up
rising against DiaZ. Obregon thought
much and finally decided TO fight for
che liberty OF his country.
Haying once decided to Join the
evolution he did not waste any time
We gathered about him his neighbors
aXplained the situation TO them anC
urged them to join the ranks Of the
rebels More than $50 men responded
10 his call. Obregon furnished his
little army with the necessary arms
ammunition and horses. Leading hi:
followers To the nearest rebel camI
he offered his services to the cause
of the people. From that day OF
0bregon was one OF the military
leaders Of struggling Mexico.
Al the glories he won during tn
revolt against DiaZ could not keel
aim from his farm. As soon a.
Madero was established as Presiden
OF Mexico Obregon refused to hav'
anything to do with military forces
He had no personal ambitions and n
returned to Sonora to resume mis- nor
NAL life OF a farmer. But he wa
not to till the soil very long.
Fifteen months after he had re
turned TO his home news was flashe
across the country of the assassina
don Of Madero and Of the seizure Q
Ahe Presidency by Victoriano Huerts
This was followed by the refusal Q
Nenustian0 CarranZa, at that tim
Governor of the State of Coahuila, t
recognize Huerta and the OrganiZatlo
nf the Constitutionalist revolt. Car
rama did not have to call Obregon
his banner. AS soon as the new
reached him of the revolt inaugurate
by Carranza Obregon saddled n
horse and rode to resume comman
OF his little band Of soldiers.
Those who enjoyed the confident
ol the dictator say that when Huer'
learned Of the Carranza revolt he cor
suited his generals regarding the sit,
ton. His chiefs said to him:
We have little to fear. Their gel
erals are all men of little experienc
but beware of Col. Obregon. 1t
true he is only colonel, neverthele
he is more of soldier and gener
than any OF u.s.
Huerta kept silent for few se
onds and then responded.
Well. if we can't buy him We
have to fight and Kill him. Be it
Il may, he certainly is a force to CO..
Jure with"
II was not long before Huerta lear
ed that Obregop could not be boug
and certainly could not be defeate
For more than a year he had chars
of the northwestern division OF q
Constitutionalist army. He started /
campaign in his native State
Sonora, close to the United Stat
border and after a years continue
successful fighting was the first of t
Constitutionalist generals to rea