Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-02-05
PANCHO VILLA IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF DIAz
Mixed Qualities in the Character of the Famous ExBnd Who Figures
Anew the Man of Destiny N MuddIed Mexico.

nANCHO VILLA, who on several occasions
i has maintained that he would rather be
right than President of Mexico, Is at last
President-in the guise of a dictatorship. In
his life he has played many parts. Fugitive,
bandit leader of a cause, warrior, dictator
the annals are briefly told. Less than two
years ago, the story runs he slipped out of
Ell Paso on a borrowed horse, with revolver
in his belt and seven dollars and half in
his pocket.
"will he ever sit in the presidential chair?"
was the question of 1914 There Is yet no an
swer but he is still the big figure in Muddled
Mexico, still hailed by not a few of its people
as 1.-The man of the hour" Strange things
have happened below the Rio Grande, as
those who are familiar with the history of
Porfirio Diaz know; and stranger things may
yet happen. Villa Is following the path that
Diaz trod-how far therein will he go?
The Robin Hood of Mexico
His admirers claim that in his bandit days
he robbed the rich to divide the spolis with
the poor. Thus he appears in the character
of Robin Hood. Tales like this are uncer-
tainties, but Pancho Villa must have done
something it seems. to have won the devo-
ton given him so freely even before he rode
out on a borrowed horse for the invasion of
Mexico. They who have seen him at his
present work testify that he inspires no
other man in that much inspired country.
He is described as stoclSily built and of
medium height with the chest and shoulders
Of a prize-fghter and with a head that is
really "bullet-shaped." Receding from the
back of the neck and from the jaw 1t tapers
upward in the most extraordinary fashion.
His head is covered with black hair as crisp
and curly as a negro's; his skin is the color
of a well-snioked meerschaum; a small black
mustache serves to hide a mouth that Is
cruel even when it is smiling. The most at
tractive feature of the face is the eyes, which
are large and brilliant and piercing. But
reporter who saw them blazing at Torreon
describes them "the eyes Of a man who
will some day go crazy"
Love and Fear and Power
1t has been said that If he has any religion
at all 1t is the religion OF demanding absolute
obedience from his officers and men. But in
return for this obedience he gives them al
ways and everywhere the best attention and
care possible. and his generosity to the hosts
been many times reported. He has the two
characteristics necessary to a Mexican leader.
Not only does he instil in his followers fear
of disloyalty, but he makes them believe in
his sincerity. He acts the part OF a real
friend on the battlefield or off, When his
orders are disobeyed he does not reason with
those at fault-he shoots them or locks
them up.
"Diaz ruled with the iron hand,' comments
a writer who knows Mexico and the Mexi-
cans. "but he went little among the people;
he was always to most OF them man in a
station above them. And he lost his grip;
his subjects had only fear ana little IL any
love for him. Madero neither inspired nor
awed his men. villa does both He is a
'eompanero, his men say-the highest tribute
a Mexican can pay" Love and fear--Villa
plays each against the other Such is the
secret Of his power.
He Starts Train
At Jusrez one day Villa rode over 10 the
railway station to superintend the departure
of punitive expedition which he was rush
ing south. Owing to some mishap 10 the en-
glne the train was late in starting. villa.
after angrily stTiding up and down the plat
form few times, went across to his chief Of
transport. and Jerking loose his heavy auto
matte. showed the muzzle In the face OF that
startled onaoial
"If that train Isn't out OF the station ia hvs
minutes" he snarlsd. I'm blow your head
on
But, general tFemblinely not re-
aponsibls fof she delay The engines broken
aeen.