The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-05-02
METcALF GIVES HIGH
PRAISE TO CARRANzA
Ncbrasksan Comanends First Chief as
. Man OF Patriotism and
High Ideals.
ESTABLISHING CIVIL RI
RULE
Seeks to Govern in Constitutional
Manner Instead Of BY Strong Arm
Of Military Power--yiila Comes i'm
For Denunciation.

Washington. May IA strong
enlogy of General venustiano Carranza
was given out recently by Richard
| l.. Metcalf. of Nebraska, an intimate
personal and political friend of Will
liam j. Bryan. Mr.. Metcalf, who, be-
fore he was appointed to the Panama
Canal Commission, helped to edit Mr..
Bryan's Commoner. predicts triumph
for General Carranza, and commends
the first chief as patriot and a man
of high ideals
Mr.. Metcalf went to Mexico, he
says, for the purpose of securing
material for magazine and newspaper
articles. He made the trip to Mexico
following his retirement from the office
OF Governor of the Panama Canal
Zone.
Mr. Metcalf took occasion to criticize
General Villa in strong terms.
In the Villa territory one hears
everything of military supremacy"
!said Mr.. Metcalf. I'm Carranza terri
tory one hears suggestions concerning
constructive government. When Villa
captures or abandons town and
leaves ii, Carranza follows his military
chieftain and establishes civil govern
ment.'
Carranza. according to Metcalf,
exalts civilians, where his opponents
ithusiasm for military men. Mr.. Met
calf said that by authority of Carranza
a book had just been issued for the
use OF school children in Mexico en-
titled Ten Notable Civilians" In this
book Carranza emphasized his belief
that militarism has done great harm
to Mexico. Mr.. Metcalf denies that
Carranza is "a senile old man." as the
first chief has been described. Mr..
Metcalf said In this connection:
II think he is just bit stubborn.
but is generally admitted in Mexico
that he Is an honest man, and 1 am
sur that any unbiased Judge of
character would say that so far as
concerns peace and constructive gov
eminent Carranza Is the hope"
Mr.. Metcalf says that workmen's
compensation. and other reforms. are
the subject of coEversation when one
gets deep into the confidence of Car
ranza's leaders. He declared that pub
| lie sentiment In Mexico among the
educated classes Is turning toward the
prohibition of the liquor question:
we have learned in Mexico, even
as they have learned in Russia, and as
they will learn either sooner or later
In America. that there Is nothing but
waste to strong drink
Concluding his statement, Mr.. Met
calf said:
This is a sample of the suggestion
one who goes in search of real infor-
nation obtains in Mexico today There
ts no question but that Carranza's
military forces are gaining ground
every day There is also no question
so far as my own observation Is con.
cerned about the sturdy patriotism OF
the first chief and his ardent devotion
to all that would seem to bring good
to the people of his country Carranza
tn not an enemy OF the United States.
On the contrary he is an ardent ad-
mirer of our institutions. He under
stands thol oughiy the line of demarca-
ton between the schools of Alexander
Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson, The
Americans who hold high places In
carranza.s heart are Thomas Jeffer-
sonson and Abraham Lincoln. Mexico
is a wonderful country. but It is IN
deplorable condition today: l believe
Carranza, who prefers to be known by
the plain American title of Mister
rather than General. will lead his peo-
pIe out of the wilderness"