El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1917-02-09
TRIBUTE BY THE REFUGEES TO
NAL GEN. PERSHING AND HIS MEN
H.

ERF,S 70 Gen Pershing When he rode up San Fran
cisco street with of American flags waving IN all
directions guard of honor before him and troops
alutipe along the way civilians cheering, he must have
known be was being given a hearty welcome. 1t was
testimonial of E PasO regard for gentleman and soldier
He deserved it. and more And IKE iee!ing Is
bv FL Pasoans for every the punitive expedition
silent but IN a way eloquent tribute to Gen
Pershng and his troops than can De conveyed Dy ag
sIutes cheers and entertainment that long, miserable
caravan refugees tekkng north out OF Chihuahua under
the protection of the Pershng army Three thousand
soecs Mericans and foreigners camped Columbus the
majority motley drab assembage OF human beings, camp
ing on allotted spaces which the army marked out connu
ing to live freedom and security which they 1rs
learned to enjoy Persng arrived IN Mexico and gave
them protection. For this they abandoned homes, faTs
shops the surroundings Of lifetime the associations MADE
somewhat dear by long familiarity They Fave gwen up
for the being least all their property save what
little portions thereof they able to carry with them
ana are try to make new start IN an amen
land or at least TO live until happier days return to Mexico
When Cen Pershng first led his army into Mexico most
Of these people feared him plague They expected the
worst that human beings well experienced in outrage, could
imagine Murder robbery anticipated as matter
Of amazed that nothing Of the sort hap
pened that only they not paged but that the
American army bought and paid high prices IN cash for what
ever thew They not mOlested person out
on the contrary afforded the first real security from
oiestation they had ever known TINS much any American
commander accorded them 1t remained Tor Gen.
Pershng his officers and to treat these people not
only with utmost Justice but with such tact and considera
ton as to both respect and kind OF affection
News that the American army to withdraw came as
the inhabitants Of northwestern Chihuahua Iny
knew enough what meant 1t meant return OF the
old days bsnd Of footing and outrage Of exortlon and
insult of spShod administration by lazy incompeents all
this made manifold by native resentment Of Vistas and
Carrancsas alike against those who had been on friendly
terms with the American army and had helped furnish It
supplies So to get away from all the old evils and save
tr lives from the new ones they traed right along under
the American flag until led ont Of Mexico and they are
fgurativey, under its folds today.
Their fears probably fully justified Bandits are
again riding through northwestern Chihuahua, sezng what
t5ev can find vilistas are again 81 Vale There is
f~E+nc near caIesns Guerrero where Villas band
hit as by bolt of lightning lately been bandit infested
It is the same old story all over again.
But considerable part Of the civilian population OF north
estern chihuahua not suffer prefers life IN
the United States II has paid Gen PeTshing the highest
tribute possible, of forssking al to follow him