The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-11-19

Mark s. Watson, Uho recently con-
on Mertco, "a serttin0 DIN conditions IN
the republic as ne has found them IN
the last fetc peeks. The folloring Is tho
third Of the series Of articles:
~ MARK 8. WATSON.
PnpRAs NEaRAs, Nov. 1.-THE inter-
estins characters among the Mexican
officials now assembled here for h hrst
conference with the Primero Jefe are
not exclusively military. The civilians
include men who are quite as interest,"
ing and In many cases naturally men
OF far wider attachments. The First CHIEF
himself is vastly more interesting as a
civil administrator han as a soldier.
In broad contrast to the Mexican
statesmen are John Lind OF Minnesota
and John II. Silliman. American Consul
at Vera Cruz. principal among the
Americans In the delegation. They are
in frequent conference with Gen.. Car
rama n his aids. Eliseo Arredondo.
who has been extremely active in pre-
senting at Washington the arguments
In behalf OF recognition OF Carranza-
was one OF the most important figures.
Another of whom much may be heard
later Is Jesus Acuna, Minister Of For
eign Affairs, who In az almost every
conference. Governors galore from vari-
Gus Mexion States are here.
San Antonio sent a delegation. the
leaders In Yhich are 7. X. Beltran and
Samuel BeIden. who for years has
served as legal adviser 20 Carranza in
the United States and AZ an important
factor In the Carranza unofficial cab
met. Mr.. Belden Is the son Of an
American who long age went into Mex
leo. The son was educated in this coun-
Try and has a wide American ~acquain,-
ance.
Work Hard for Country.
Mr.. Beltran n Mexican Consul-Gen-
eral at a Antonio. Latterly he has
been putting In extraordinary hours in
attending to the interests of his coun-
try. He likes work and he doesn't OBJ
ject to excitement. one Of his most
remarkable exploits was carried out In
the earliest days of the Huerta usurpa-
xtion.
The San Antonio colony. which was
always IN close touch with Carranza.
then Governor of Coahuila and heir to
the presidency under the constitutional
arrangement, decided tina, the town OF
Piedras Negras. being q railroad ter
minal and "A port OF entry OF vital i'm
p%ortance. should remain stanch To Ma
dero. who had Just been arrested. al
though not yet executed. Piedrls Ne
gras had "A small garrison Of Federal
troops. which in the normal course OF
anairs could be expected to develop
enthusiasm for Huer,a. actual head OF
the Federal Government. This did not
suit BeItrnn. who remained a loyal Ma
dero follower.
We'll" laushed an American friend,
why don't o go down and capture
the town.
Beltran did not join In the laugh. He
appeared at his office in the morning
with a suitcase and a heavy revolver,
wrote a few instructions. and took a
train for Eagle Pass. He marched across
the bridge, lad down his suitcase
strapped the revolver across his body,
and marched up 10 the municipal palace.
Before "A surprised officer in churge OF
the small garrison could guess what was
up, Beltran was In front of him. toying
carelessly with the revolver. The Wis
itor introduced himself calmly.
"Viva Madero."
II am to be in charge OF Piedras
Ncgras." he said, You have been loyal
10 Nitutrp, ana l trust YOU Will remain
loyal to the Madero party. You will?'
The head of the garrison looked a,
the revolver and looked at the pleasant
faced Beltran. He did not hesitate a
second.
viva Madero 80 he said.
And Beltran had captured the city
He remained in power. administering all
affairs for three months. Then he was
forced TO give way TO larger numbers
and eventually was escorted back across
the bridge. without his artillery. and
urged to 20 back to San Antonio. lie
went.
There are plenty of other civilians
near by. too, of a much different stripe.
These are now shouting that they always
were In favor of C%arranza. This Is the
first evidence the Carranzistas have had
OF that fact. n they suspect that the
new found loyalty Ia Influenced by ths
tenure OF property In Mexico which
tho owners wish protected. They are
MeNicans and Americans. They are mo-
happy, for the Carranza Government,
has not accepted the loyalty notion. and
most OF the Original ~Carranzistas' have
been requested to stay on the American
side. And they stay,