Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1919-07-06
Obregon, Dark Horse of Mexican Politics, May
Control Destmies of Turbulent Republic

But the association with All raised
another host Of enemies-the Car
rama junta and the old safe con-
servatives. He was too powerful for
open attacks, but secret attempt
after attempt was made on his life.
Once a conspiracy bribed an Indian
boy to sell him some cones of poi
soned ice cream. Word through
Indian friends came to Oregon.
In sheer bravado, Obregon ordered
the boy to help himself to a cone.
The boy, Of course, picked out an
Imprisoned cone. "Oh, I'll take
that" said Oregon, beginning to
MUNICH the boys safe cone; and he
handed the boy another cone. The
little Indian went from yellow to
green with fear and began to weep.
Oregon went on unconcernedly
eating other cones. Luck was with
him. He didn't chance to pick the
poisoned cones, but the boy didn't
dare to eat the cone given to him.
A confession followed. The con-
spirators were summoned. They
were given the cones. One mer-
chant died on the spot. l forgot
whether three Of five OF the conspira-
tors were shot; but all the press an
nounced was nton,aine poisoning.
Shot by Riflemen.
At another time, some Zapatistas
were struggled in the city and
placed on the roof of the Jockey
club with rifles. Oregon used to
ride past the club to the National
Palace. A fusillade of shots hit
him. He fell beneath his horse I'M
conscious. The Zapatistas were
clapped in Jail. 1t was announced
Oregon was dead. That night two
Spaniards went to the jail and
offered the guard $4,000 in gold to
let the Zapatistas escape. From his
death bed, Obregon ordered the
three Zapatistas let out and the two
Spaniards arrested. Confession fol-
lowed. Three men were shot for
this conspiracy and twenty-nine
others shipped out to Spain.
Obregon has been blamed for the
hideous massacre of the police. His
friends declare this was not his
work but the work of the junta con-
conspiring against him to discredit
the Yaquis. What happened was
this: Huerta had formed a terribly
strong body of the city police.
What with Obregon's $4,000 and
the 5000 Huerta police the Car
rancists were in deadly fear of a
cuartelazo, or quick military flop.
They tried to disarm the police, but
it was known the police still had
fire arms concealed. Strikes were
impending. The Yaquis were told
to run the streets at night" so
strikers could not come out. Att
was now hiding in Obregon's
house. Carranza had forbidden the
strike and was chilling to the l.
w. WIS because they had gone
over to Oregon. Two Yaqui
colonies got very drunk. In a
saloon, they purposely created a
row. The police arrested them.
The Yaquis running the streets at
night" then assaulted the police of
the fifth precinct. The row became
a massacre, hideous massacre.
The police were shot like scuttling
rats in trap-300 Of them and 1853
citizens were wounded.
Lives In Sonora.
1t was all Of a piece with the
pattern of Mexican politics.
On another occasion, when Obre-
gon was visiting San Francisco I'M
der United States military escort, a
variety actress was placed next his
room in the hotel with a bride of
$1,000 to give him poisoned wine;
but Obregon's wine and women days
we're over. He had married an cid
sweetheart and settled down. He
probably never knew OF the plot
Matched against him in his own
land; but the United States State
department did, and if Oregon had
died, that variety would have
hanged, though Oregon was no
friend of America at that time.
He is now living quietly on his
ranch in Sonora, the dark horse of
Mexican politics. Will his luck
stay with him? Quien sabe. As a
friend said when l asked that ques-
ton. "Only God know what will
come out of the muddle OF Mexico: