Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1916-01-14
Ell Paso, Tex.-Although he has com.

Ell Paso, Tex.-Although he has COM
posed peace with the followers Of
Francisco Villa and finds his govern
ment opposed by an organized gov
eminent only in the state of Oaxaca,
Venustiano CarranZa today faces a
gigantic problem in the resuscitation
of war-torn Mexico His handicaps. in
the order of their difficulty, may be
summarized as follows:
l. Brigandage in almost every Sec
ton of the country; widespread love
Of buccaneering life, brought about
by the succession OF revolutions.
3. Zapata's revolutionary army in
the Montenegrolike state of Morelos
). The state government OF Oayaca
This government is novelty in Mex
leo, and has maintained order aid de-
clared itself ''neutral>toward villa and
Carranza and other chieftains of war.
like proclivity.
4. The question of manhood" i. g.,
the difficulty Of finding suitable men
for government positions.
S. An empty national treasury and
FRUSTRATED industries. Typhus.
AS to brigandage, an American
named Simons, who arrived in La
redo. Tex, few days ago from a
point near Mexico City, where he is
engaged in business, brings an inter
esting story. He describes chaotic
conditions prevalent in the country
contiguous to the Mexican capital at
this time where, environed by con-
tagious diseases and pestilence on the
one hand, and by marauding bands of
outlaws and recalcitrant people gen.
orally on the other hand, Gen. Pablo
Gonzales, the Carranza military COM
mander OF Mexico City, is confronted
with an intricate problem.
Within a radius of IS miles north
west OF Mexico City the land is
filled with bands Of outlaws and
marauding and devastation is keep
ing them busy. Large haciendas.
or ranches, are being raided by these
outlaws, the homes looted and the
people compelled to fee to safety, and
In some instances, the torch applied.
The rowing bands of marauders are
strongly organized and travel in large
force, and whenever Carranzista SOL
diers are sent out to attempt to dis
perse them or give battle, the SOL
diery is generally defeated. Only re-
Gently a force of Carranza men sent
out to a point northwest of Mexico
City about 20 miles failed to return,
and 1t is believed they were ambus-
caded by the outlaws and annihilated.
Swarms With Rrioands.
However, the principal abode of
lawlessness at this time begins at
point IS miles northwest of the Mex.
lean capital, says the American, and
in that section the country is swarm
Ing with brigands. They are neither
Zapatistas nor Villistas. but each
large band has it's leader. and with
them the orders OF. the leader Is Law.
Occasionally these men engage the
soldiers Of both Carranza and "a
pata, but the Zapatistas are thinning
out around Mexico City now and are
taking to the mountainous country to
the southwest of the capital.
Gen. Pablo Gonzales has exerted
his utmost effort to Quell the disturb
ances in his district. states the Ameri-
can, but he has an inadequate force
to cope with the situation with which
he 10 confronted at this time. There
10 even dissension noticeable among
his men, because of the restrictions
exacted to confine them to certain
quarters OF the city on account Of the
unwholesome health conditions pre-
yailing. ~.5s. ~ 5.& Z,
In the Pachuca district, says Mr.. 81.