The Washington times., 1917-05-12
Carrunza and Oregon

The news of the resignation of
General .0bregon as minister of war
in President Carranza's cabinet is
now regarded as devoid of any sinis-
ter implications. It is stated that
0bregon's health is broken and that
he held on to his post only until his
chief was duly inaugurated President
and the Mexican Congress had as
sembled.
When the history of the Mexican
revolution is fully compiled, Aware
Oregon will be recognized as the
military leader deserving the highest
fame, and this despite the really
brilliant exploits of Villa. When
Carranza began the counter-revolu-
ton against Huerta, 0bregon was
put in charge of the military forces
of the great state Of Sonora. He
seems to have secured the confidence
and affection q his TROOPS from the
first, including the Yaki Indians,
the Apaches Of Mexico. In the first
two pitched battles of the war
against Huerta he defeated over
whelmingly superior forces of
trained soldiery and began his his
toric march down the western coast
of Mexico, taking one coast city -af-
ter another and consolidating the
governments of the various states as
he proceeded. Finally, about the
time that Villa reached the zenith
of his military fame, it fell to the
lot of Oregon to capture the large
Mexican City of Guadalajara. Thence
he marched eastward, joined forces
with Pablo Gonzales, and with Villa
sulking in his tents, marched with
Carranza VIGOROUSLY into Mexico
City.
Followed the break with Villa,
for q, time the fortunes Of Carranza
and Oregon, who remained loyal to
his chief, seemed in eclipse. The
surrender of Vera Cruz to one of
Carranza's generals and the placing
Of the revenues Of that port under
his control, together with the reac-
ton against Villa for his orgy of
lust and blood in Mexico City re-
stored Carranza's fortunes. Slowly
Obregon gathered a new army, cap
tured the capital, and then march
ing pprthward against Villa met and
vanGuished him in open battle, de-
stroying Villas prestige as a COM
mander who had never known defeat.
In this battle Oregon lost his right
arm. but the decisive blow had been
struck which finally led to the recog-
milton of Carranza by the United
States as head of the de facto gov
eminent of Mexico.
During the intervening months,
plotters against the integrity of the
constitutionalist regime have been
busy in their attempts to enlist
0bregon in opposition to his chief.
But he has steadfastly refused to
allow the use of his name and infiu-
ence for any such purpose. AS min
lister of war in the de facto cabinet
he has had much to do with sup
pressing the marauding bands of
guerrillas who have infested the
country and in putting the army in
good condition. He retires without |
a stain of disloyalty upon his es-
cutcheon.
The State Department here is en-
couraged at the present situation in
Mexico. Villas power is broken and
the remaining bandits are being |
hunted down. For the first time in
four years trains are running regu-
larly between Juarez and Mexico |
City. Unfounded rumors may still
be expected to disturb relations be-
tween the two countries, but the re-
organized republic Of Mexico will be
given every opportunity to make |
COOS the hopes Of those who have !
fought = to re-establish it upon a |
basis of the constitution and the
laws.