New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-04-09
ANYTHING 81 METAf IS A SHELL IN
MEXICO.

At Zacatecas | had opportunity TO see a
demonstration of this natural workmanship
The town was about to be captured Cor the
second time during my stay. From the root o.
the Hotel Frances ! watched the progress OF
the attacking army. The hotel stood between
TWO hills. As the shells passed over our head
orr attention was not lacking -Four brass can
non. mounted on one hill, sent desultory hre
across to the enemy on the opposite ridge
ostensibly to prevent their approach. Attached
70 each shell was an apology. Tins action
took place during the day. There was no night
ing after dark. as the belligerent armies
wanted to sleep. At the end Of two days right
ine the brass cannon killed two victims
lame horse and burro These brass canno1
Of Mexico are loaded with strange admiXture
Of ANYTHING metal After Zacatecas had
been contestably captured for the second
time. found things metal on the roof-smaH'
misshapen lead balls The roof was not
damaged.
Villa has the distinction of having organized
the only efficient hospital corps ever eStao-
lished in a Mexican army. His success was
due largely 70 American surgeons. lie hau
with him. too. a number Of Mexican doctor'
who were graduated from American and
European schools of medicine. a hospitai
train. composed of converted box cars ac-
COMMANDED the army. Operating tables SAM
tarv instruments and sterilizers were installed
Aside from Villas grasp and genius, no lead-'
in Mexico has shown any marked ability ii I'M
rosnect The hospital Of the average army -
dr,,o store in the nearest town. The sur
ooor &c the drug store clerk and the aid 30
,be injured is the application Of peroxide owe.
49, oo,,rter coach is sometimes provide .
- carry wounded officers An Indicated re-
comfy during the retreat OF VIVA from 20
i.,-,tYs tho wounded are usually abandoned.
One feature Of the Mexican army Is so III
comnarablv simple that American troops S"'-
NOT compete with it. This IS the commlssafF
do,artment. The rough roads ana deep gu
r ,oross-countrv make travel for the immense
ii, ,ructs Of General Pershings army al
-, ;,,,oesible. The ralroads-eyen those al
.ainoblo.are in dilapidated condition Wear
unstable roadbeds, spreading rsils' threa'ei''-
overv rod Of travel. leaky engines ana l"'A 'i
coal make the work of transporting supplies
nothing less than hazardous
Tho MEXICAN soldiers have none oi THESE
,;no,,l,;os They need no trucks or trans 10
aarr, their food. Two days rations IN mo-
yidual burlap bags suffice the peon soldier
III ho reaches the next village. But the
greater part Of the supplies are carried by 'n'
-.tdaderas-the actual commissary depart
mont The squaw carries her master S burden.
To ono soldadera is intrusted the Duiue" ~
oh;ckens tortillas. frijoles. with fiery o"'n and
oor. Mus n kitchenette; Mexican pottery
~ roonv varieties and brazier. II unsa''s-
ca 18th tho size Of this burden she adu' 70
,oosc and her shoes which she economh-
cally saves for town wear ne'' "O.1s n.;.,,o
the camp followers as long as 'ney ca" eo' aha,,
the pace When left behind 'ney " '.a, "
until they find another army-n'''e mat
vbcb cause is espoused. The pay 'ncy re-