The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-06-20
SANTA ANA.
 THE TURBULENT

Of all the turbulent rulers of un- ru1y Mexico since that country threw off the Spanish yoke, one of the most powerful and picturesque was An tonic Lopez de Santa Ana, whose wild and stormy career came to an end just 40 years ago today, June 20, 1876. Santa Ana died peacefully in bed, after having spent his last years in quiet seclusion in the City of Mexico.
 A native of Ja1apa, Santa Ana was 23 years old when he began his mili- tary career. That was in 1921, when he joined the party of General Itur- bide, the chief of the patriot army. Success had no sooner crowned the efforts of the rebels, than they began to quarrel among themselves. Itur- bide was elected Emperor of Mexico, while Santa Ana placed himself at the head of the opposition and late in 1922 declared the republic. Santa Anals party was successful, and Itur- bide, who had taken the title of Augustin l., was forced to abdtcate and later was executed.
 That was the first of many insur- rections led by the irnperious and re- vengeful Santa Ana. A born in triguor he was always plotting against the existing order. In 1929 his schemes were again crowned with success, and he brought about the overthrow of President Guerrero, whom he had formerly served as war minister and leader of the successful resistance against a Spanish expedi- ton sent to Mexico in an attempt to 1 reconquer the country. Santa, Ana made Bustamante president and later brought about his downfall in favor of Pedraza. In 1888 he decided to assume the presidency himself, and 1 was duly "e1ected.'' In that position l he was very unpopular with the l peons, but he had the support of the, 1 army, which was sufficient. When Texas revolted in 1886 the Mexican
 president led an army to suppress | the rebellion. Arrived at San An tonic, he began the famous siege of the Alamo. When at lengeth the. de- voted Texans were overpowered and
 taken, the ruthless Santa Ana order 1 ed that the few survivors be instantly 1 dispatched, and they were cut to
 pieces. This murderous butchery
 aroused the Texans to fury, and Re l member the Alamo!' was their battle 1 cry when they fell upon the Mexican army at San Jacinto a little later. The l Mexicans were routed with immense lass, and Santa Ana was taken a prisQner.
 He was released in 1887 and re- l turned to Mexico, but he had been deposed from the presidency during his absence. In the war with France he was seriously wounded while de- I lending Vera Cruz, and lost a leg by I amputation. Santa Ana soon regained khis power, and from 1S41 he was the
 virtual dictator of Mexico, as pro-
 visional president, until his election to I the presidency in 1844. Soon after
 wards a new revolution was started
 and Santa Ana was deposed and ban
 ished for ten years.
 I The exile took up his residence in
 Cuba and began immediately a secret negotiation for the betrayal of his country to the United States which
 was then on the verge of war with
 Mexico. Trusting in his promises
 the Washington authorities sent
 Santa Ana back to Mexico, but he
 had no sooner reached that country
 than he was appointed generalissimo
 of the army, and a little later was
 elected provisional president De-
 feated time after time by the Aneri-
 cans, he was deposed when the capi- ,s In 1853 he returned to his native land
 and was received with great enthu- siasm and appointed president for one year, when an election was held Santa Ana declared himself president for life and began a despotic rule which led to civil war and his abdi- cation in 1855, After years of exile he returned to Mexico during the French occupation but was impIHat- ed in conspiracy against the En- -peror. In 1867 he made his last att tempt to gain power, but was captur- ed and sent into exile, but was per-
 -raitted to return to Mexico to die.
 I