El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1919-06-14
Can Take Jnare&
Any Time, Say
Villa Leaders
Felipe Angeles Gives Four
Hour Interview To A
Newspaper Man.


The only ambition I have is 10 aid
and assist the other leaders with me
in redeeming my country from the
hand OF the desponer and to place j.
once again in its rightful position in
the forefront OF nations. have no
desire to be heraIded as the president
Of Mexico or as the redeemer Of my
country. which has been torn and
bleeding for the past nine years"
Gen. Felipe Angeles made the above
statements in the course Of a four
hour interview with a representative
OF the Associated Press Friday after
noon near Juarez. He has been with
villa since last December and never
appeared in better physical condition
or in higher spirits.
Gen. Angeles was about u miles
south Of JuareZ at Zaragosa. with
Martin Lopez second in command Of
large force Of revolutionists. The
men all seemed TO have been imbued
with the same enthusiastic spirit as
their leader and were ready for any
kind Of strenuous action.
Gen Angeles said that villa had the
main body Of revoluionists with him
further south. He also said that villa
had been charged with many things
that he had never done, all for the
sake Of discrediting him before the
eyes Of the world. Cen Villa has
been the mainstay OF this righteous
revolution" he said. and has kept it
alive all during the years since Mex
leo has been in the hands Of men who
were using it for their own personal
ends"
when asked about the action taken
in regard TO the troop movement Of
MeXicans through the United States
and the fact that they were not per
mitted to cross American territory.
Gen Angeles smiled and said: There
is only one American in Parral. He
was there when I took the city and
he is still there alive and we'll"
The general invited the attention
OF his interviewer to the appearance
OF his men and assured him that he
lad plenty Of money and was paying
for everything that he obtained
Cen Angeles said that he did not
know whether to take Juarez or not
and OF course could not comment on
the matter. since he would be giving
out military information.
One OF his chief lieutenants. when
asked about their ability TO take
Juarez. said: I'VE can take that place
within three hours"
WOuld Not Be President.
Gen. Angeles denied that he had
ever issued a proclamation annoUnc-
ing that he was provisional president
Of Mexico and Francisco Villa secre-
tary OF war.
IT could not be provisional presl-
dent Of Mexico. in view OF my oft
repeated principle that no military
leader should be the chief executive
Of my country Furthermore. even II
L should be chosen for that post by
my compatriots, I should refuse TO
serve as / have had no preparation
or training for it A military chief
IN Mexico. with the great military
power that success in any revolution
would bring to him. would be able 70
disregard the interests OF the people
and become military dictator with
all the tyranny that dictatorship i'm
plies.
Gen. villa and believe that. afte-
the revolution has won ITS fight. a
civilian should be elected. one who
knows the needs OF the country and
viii have the ability and rectirude TO
provide them We are perfectly in
accord in this matter.
Respect For United states.
My first impulse on meeting a
representative OF the Associated
Press is 10 express my gratitude for
generous hospitality and my sincere
respect and admiration for the United
States. II would not become a simple
military officer to send formal greet
ings TO your great nation, but you
VIII understand my feelings
OF military operations, OF course,
can say nothing.
I can, however. give you an idea
OF what we wish to accomplish in
the immediate future for our country
! came to Mexico in the interest Of
the Mexican Liberal alliance. the pur-
pose Of which was TO unite all fac
tons warning against the Carranza
government and establish a true
democracy. for j am a democratic
10 a haa
not progressed as il should have done.
for il has as Yet appointed no gov
erning body and has adopted no for
NAL platform.
OF the conference called last Feb
ruary by leaders Of revolutionary
movements in various states OF Mex
leo can say little II was to have met
in the latter part of May, but no rep
resentatives from Chihuahua attend
ed, because we were not notified in
time to allow US to arrange for leav-
ing our forces in the field I presume
details.
Sees Improvement.
1T Is the intention OF this revolu-
ton to conquer the state OF Chihua-
hua and there receive the refugees
from Mexico who are now in the
United States and other countries. TO
receive them with open arms and d.
vide the last crust Of bread we have
with them If il be necessary.
NY speech at Parral on April p
contains the general principles upon
which we intend TO found a state in
Chihuahua that viii serve as a model
for other states OF the Mexican re-
public. in that speech and repeatedly
since. 1 have denounced the war OF
class against class, Of the rich
against the poor. the ignorant against
the educated
Former revolutions have degen-
Grated into simple struggles between
the various strata Of Mexican society
1 have denounced the attacks on the
churches and the confiscation CT prop
erty which have obtained in other
struggles for liberty. / think that
since ] have come to Mexico there is
a noticeable improvement in the man
ner in which revolutionary troops
deal with the civilian population
What the revolution most needs
is the adhesion Of more men Of abil-
ity and education, men who can IN
derstand the needs of the country and
have knowledge OF how 20 meet them
Gen. Villa and l are particularly
anxious to have it understood that
we stand firmly against the elevation
to the presidency of any military
leader. / think that Madero made
great mistake in accepting that Of
flee after he had won in the field