Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-03-21
GEN. ANGELES GIVES REASONS
FOR THE DOWNFALL OF VILLA
Famous Strategist and Artillery Leader Says
Bandits Failure to Take Advice
Brought Him to Grief.

Ell PASO. Tex, March 21-Gen. Fee
lipe Angeles, often referred to as the
true patriot of the Mexican revolu-
tion." and former chief military ad-
wiser. to Francisco Villa, today came
out of a long retirement to explain
how. in his opinion. Francisco Villa.
instead of being leader of the consti-
nationalist cause, has fallen to the
status Of a hunted bandit
Gen. Angeles charged that villa,
like Carranza, aspired to be dicta-
tor" and that this, and not the battles
he lost, caused his friends to forsake
him.
The general was the last of Villas
prominent supporters to quit him. He
now lives on a modest vegetable and
dairy farm, four miles beyond the east
ern outskirts of Ell Paso.
f. Banished From Native Land.
Half mile distant flows the Rio
Grande From his front porch he can
look across into the Mexican territory
which he is at present forbidden to en-
ter.
1.-The Carranzistas, the Villastis and
the Zapatistas are all my enemies,
said the general, his young son acting
as Interpreter. land I chose this place
for my home so that they may know
that 1 fear none of them.
ct till my soil and herd my cows,
having definitely put aside war and
politics. I am not guarded; any one
who wishes can cross the river and
modest me-"
Does Not Understand Democracy.
On beginning the interview, Gen. An
geles said that he regretted the differ
ences into which Villa had fallen. He
said that he had a warm remembrance
of the man as a comrade in arms and
explained he had been drawn to sup
port him because Villa had seemed at
the time to represent the cause of real
democracy. He said he only left him
when he found Villa did not under
stand democracy, although he did for
the cause all that he knew how to do"
Discussing the causes of Villas rise
in the army. Gen. Angeles said:
villa gained power because of his
wonderful energy and his personal
| IldS ne ndQ driving power.
Also he could be free and generous.
There seems to be an impression
| that Villa assured obedience by inspir-
| ing fear. This is unjust"
Refused to Accept Advice.
Going on to the next phase of the
| former constitutionalist leaders ca
| reer. the general said:
1.-The primary reason for Villas loss
of power was his attempt to dictate
| the policies of his adherents. He re-
fused to accept advice and his friends
left him.
villa possessed the knack to draw
| around him men of ability. When he
estranged these men his power began
to wane.
LAS commander he had but one plan
of battle-to drive forward. He knew
| nothing Of military strategy. and his
advisers supplied it. He lost his STRAIT
egg when he lost his advisers.
THE turning point in Villas career
came with the battle of Celaya, in
March, 1915. This engagement-one of
the most important of the revolution
exposed his defects as general. Villa
went into this battle with the most
meager supply of ammunition possible.
After the first attack he had no ammu-
milton, yet he ordered his men to adj
vance again.
Went Into Battle Unprepared.
Before villa marched from Monte
rey to attack Gen. Obregon's forces l
volunteered to go with him. Unfor-
tunateIy, L was thrown from a horse
and my foot was crushed.
81 begged him not to take the Of
fensiye until he had obtained sufficient
ammunition. Confident that the enemy
were frightened by the prestige he
had gained in previous battles, he ig-
nored my pleas.
TT is a solemn fact that Villas
forces went into the battle of Celaya
without orders. The better organized
and better supplied Carranzistas, see
ing that his ammunition was exhaust
ed, rallied from his first attack and
defeated him. He had made no prepa-
rations for possible repulse, and his