South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-12-20
SAYS HE'LL NOT IN
It WITH MEXICO
Notre Dame Man, Who Has
Been There, Declares
Reports Mild.

the opinion Of Antonio Aldrete.
graduate Of Notre Danes electrical
engineering school in 1919. Mr..
AIdrete relates some very interest
ing tales about his life IN his home
country, during the past two years
and It's Of the opinion that news
paper statements telling of the con-
ditions in Mexico are comparatively
mild when one has seen the real
conditions.
A millionaire could only live in
Mexico a few years az the rate things
were selling there last June. In the
town OF Chihuahua Mr.. Aldrete paid
$40 for a glass Of milk and a piece
of ample pie. All during the month
he saws that the regular price for
meal was 81 and that the menu con-
sisted OF a few beans and potato.
without bread All she corn and
-four was conhscated by villa when
he took the town and all the stores
were closed.
The former Notre Dame man
gives a vivid picture OF the arrest or
the merchants OF the town and or
the sending Of the Americans out or
the country in a special train. Then
the coming Of Gen. Scott of the
United states and the re-establish-
ment IL order and the opening or
the stores. The cause which he at
tributes to Villas action was the fact
that merchants were charging $4,000
for a suit Of clothes. and $500 for a
pair Of shoes. villa wanted TO lessen
the price of all commodities and told
the merchants If they refused 10
would take charge OF the town him
self.
When asked his opinion Of the
outcome OF the conflict he said. The
people as a whole like villa because
he seems 10 favor the poor people.
and thus wins the confidence Of all
Carranza. on the other hand, has the
strongest army, and he hopes in time
to settle the dispute. However, as
long as the people will follow the
plan OF Villa the war viii continue
indefinitely" No words can describe
the condition in Mexico. said the
young engineer. because one must
see them 10 have any idea that such
things could exist in a civilized ma
ton.
Leaving Notre Dame after gradua-
ton. Aldrete went To Mexico City.
where he became the assistant Of the
technical inspector of electrical rail-
ways During the Huerta admins
tration ne served in the army, as did
all the officials in his department
lie was In power as head Of the
electrical plant when the United
states seized Vera Cruz When Car
rama was put in power all govern
ment men were forced to go in hid
ing or leave the country. Even the
stenOgraphers and janitors. who had
absolutely nothing 20 do with the at
fairs. were driven out of the build
ings. The young electrical engineer
then went TO Guadalajara, his home
town, and remained there until the
next military convention, when he
was put in charge of bridge con-
structiOn company.
While he was in charge of the
bridge building, SIC a day and mer-
chandise were given him. The chiefs
OF all the work received this amount
three and a half pounds Of corn
and one pound Of flour. This amount
of money in American currency
would be about one cent a day now.
The power plant in which he was
working two months ago was seized
by the Carranzistas and ne was
forced TO leave the country. coming
over TO the United States. In FL
PasO. Texas, he met about so. GOO
OF his countrymen willing TO do any
kind OF work in order 10 get a meal.
There doctors and lawyers are
sweeping the streets I'm order 10 get
enough money 20 live. 1t is a COM
mon thing 70 see professional men
shining shoes on the street corner.
ne says. While sleeping with a brick
for pillow and his coat for cover.
Aldrete thought of his alma mater
and decided 10 come to South Bend.
after he had secured money from
his parents. Although I am "a Mex
lean, there is no place where we
feel more at home than I'm the
United States" said he. land if I re-
turned today / would lose my head
for coming here. but 7 have no in
tention OF going back. for a while
at any rate"
II you have a revolver or a gun
YOU are the owner OF the land upon
which you stand. but IL YOU are not
protected YOU are scOded az. in the
opinion OF Aldrete. In relating
about the opportunities in Mexico
he said IN part: IF YOU have no
religion and have not taken part in
any OF the affairs OF the government.
there is no other place better for
you than Mexico. All the cities
have been destroyed wherever the
troops have passed and business is
at a standstlIl However. the PEG
pie seem 10 favor either of the two
worst men IN Mexico. Villa or Car
rama. simply because IL IS iupossi-
bic for the people TO see that they
want money for themselves. and
have no regard for human life in
getting what they want
in some OF the ravages made by
both armies priests were tortured
and murdered. sisters outrlg ed.
churches desccratsd God hung in
ethgy In the public ~Iuaras and