Omaha daily bee., 1919-10-26
OBRECON STARTS
CAMP AICN TO Be
HEAD OF MEXICO
Possible Presidential Candi.
dates Now Laying Plans for
Election, Which Is Sched-
for Next July.

Mexico City, Oct. 2s.-(By The
Associated Press.)-The end OF the
present year probably will see a def.
mite alignment of political parties
and presidential candidates in Mex.
leo. The election is scheduled to
be held next July. The situation
now presents these facts:
Gen. Alvaro Obregon, former
right-hand man of President Car
rama and credited with being the
directing military agent who over
threw Villa and made possible a
Carranza constitutional government,
announced his candidacy several
months ago. Although remaining
at Sonora, he has established politi-
cal headquarters in Mexico City, has
launched a daily newspaper in his
behalf and is pressing his campaign
so vigorously that both chambers Of
congress now in session have en-
gagged heated debates which were in
reality intended as tests of Obre-
bon's power in congress. His fol-
lowers assert they are satisfied with
the results. From Sonora he issues
manifestoS and appeals to the voters.
He lays claim to being the leader OF
the liberal party.
Gonzales Being Pushed.
Gen. Pablo Gonzales. credited
with the capture of Zapata and the
pacification of the state of Morelos,
is recognized as a candidate. al
though he has made no formal an
nouncement, complying apparently
with President Carranzas request
that candidates withhold the launch
ing of campaigns until the end of
the present year. Numerous "Gon-
zales-for-president" clubs have been
organized in the republic and the
newspapers always refer to him as
an aspirant.
When President Carranza left on
his visit to Coahuila he Withdrew
General Gonzales from the state of
Oaxaea, where he was in command
of federal forces pacifying that re-
gion, and made him chief of the
forces of the plaza, position giving
him virtual command of all federal
forces in the republic. Political
writer's saw in the presidents action
a favonitism for Gonzales, indicating
Carranza backing when campaign
actually begins. Later. however,
Gonzales asked to be retired to pri-
vate life, and it was said sefli-offi-.
cially that he wished few months
seclusion in order to make plans for
his campaign. Almost Simultaneous
" General Oregon sent message
to congress asking that he be. re-
tired from the army, virtually reduc--
ing him to civilian candidate.
Carlos B. Zetina. senator from,
the federal district of Mexico, re-
Gently launched his candidacy Afor
president as civilian. Zetina FEW
DAYS before had drawn the fire Of
many opponents by introducing and
advocating measure which would
grant complete amnesty to all per
sons of good faith who have taken
up arms against the present govern
merit. Spirited debate followed the
introduction of the bill, which has
not gone to vote.
Other persons have been mention
ed as possible candidates. Gen.
Salvador Alvarado, a former Car
rama adherent, but who Of late has
been sharply critical of his former
first chief, is still thought by many
persons to have ambitions despite
his assertions to the contrary. he
has been active in forming clubs OF
the liberal democratic party.
Luis Cabrera, secretary OF the
treasury, has frequently been men
toned, but he has not deemed the
rumors important enough either to
denv or affirm them. 1gnacio Bon
;llas, ambassador to the United
States during many critical months
also has many followers who urge
him to run, but in a recent interview
with FL Democratic he secuted IDEAS
of his candidacy.
Newspapers here refuse to be
completely assured that elections
will really be held. President Car
ranza by decree has the power to
POSTPONE elections and it is within
possibilities that he may deem the
Situation at election time so tense
that test at the polls would be IN,
advisable. The president has SAID
several times that he is not candl-
date for a third term and ne like
wise, has not signihed preferences
for any of the presidential aspirants
intimating that his chief desire Is
that the people be allowed to ex,
,.r.s. the;r free choice for chief
magistrate.