The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-03-17
MEXICO PACIFIES
LAWLESS MORELOS
Bandit Ridden Country South
Of Capital in Hands Of
Troops.
ZAPATA NOW IN HIDING
Followers Yield and Return
to Work Under New
Land Laws.
ZAPATA NOW IN HIDING
Bv the Associated Press.

Bv tie Associated PSeu.
MEXICO CITY, March Is (delayed).-
The State of Morelos. Just south OF this
city. is completely under the control OF
Government troops after being overrun
for ten years by bands commanded by
Emiliano Zapata. A campaign conducted
by Gen. Pablo Gonzales, commander OF
the Government forces, has been sue
cessfui, Zapata and a few hundred fol-
lowers being driven into the almost Inn
passable mountains near Puenta dc
Ixtla on the boundary between Mexico
and Guerrero. His capture. with that
OF Cons. Generrevo de Ia o and Manuel
Palofax, his chief lieutenants Ia ex-
pected almost any day.
An opportunity to confirm the Govern
ment's announcement that Morelos has
been pacified has been afforded the cor
respondent of the Associated Press. who
has Just completed a seven day journey
by railroad, muleback and afoot through
q large part OF the state, including vir-
tually all of Zapata's former strong
holds. There is regular train service
over tho National Railway OF Mexico be-
tween this city and Cuernavaca, the
capital of Morelos. and colonists and
artisans are being taken there free OF
charge ny tne GoVernneut-
zapitistas strip Cuernavaca.
Cuernavaca, which has been held by
Government troops for several months,
Is rapidly approaching a normal condi-
tion. although the Zapat istas during
their occupation Of the town stripped the
place of almost every stick of timber
and unroofed nearly all the houses and
public buildings So scarce was material
for clothing while Zapata held the town
that his men looted the cathedral, and
the people who remained there tell OF
seeing the rebel soldiers wearing trousers
which were made out of what were once
valuable paintings.
Gen. Gustavo Eisondo, former
Rough Rider, who Is in command at
Cuernavaca, reports the discovery OF a
cavo in the mountains. where Zapata,
who seldom enters cities, had his head
quarters. The cave Is said to be ten
miles in length and was used as q ware
house for supplies and ammunition. An
average of thirty Zapatistas are surren-
dering to Gen. Elisondo daily, giving up
their rifles. for which they are paid 10
pesos. II they care to serve in the
Government armies they are accepted
and sent to the northern States.
A. trip was made from Cuernavaca
to Cuautla. the principal commercial
centre of the State. and on the way q
number of Zapata's former strongholds
were visited. Government forces are
stationed at all strategic points, one OF
which Is Tetilla Pass. where. on May Z.
1913, a Government regiment OF 400 men
was ambushed and massacred. Nearby
Is valley several square-miles In ex-
tent which Is covered with dense scrub
growth. This was the refuge of a large
number Of Zapatistas, but the loyal SOL
diers. by guarding the water holes in this
district, forced the surrender OF almost
all the rebels in a few days.
Rebels Return to Work.
The country between Cuernavaca and
Cuautla Is dotted with looted sugar re-
hneries representing Investments total
Ing millions Of dollars. They are sur
rounded by sugar plantations which were
allowed to run to waste by the rebels
Every stick of timber and every pound
OF salable metal was torn from the re-
fineries by Zapata's men.
The district near Cuautla where Can
Gonzales has his headquarters, shows
results OF the Governments programme
OF dividing up the great estates among
the people with the cooperation OF the
proprietors. Many former rebels are
working In the fields, while the town
OF Cuautla is being rapidly rehabili-
tated. The absence Of a State govern
ment for ten years and the lack of
funds. however. makes for a slow de-
velopment OF the plan under which
former field workers have a chance to
earn a small farm at the end Of ten
years by sharing in the crops raised
on the land. The Government is de-
termined to eliminate the old system
under which the whole state OF Morelos
was formerly divided into twenty-eight
estates. owned by fourteen families.
Schools are being opened. but their
capacity is entirely inadequate to ac-
commodate the hundreds OF children
seeking admission. One may see evil
dence of the conditions which have pre-
vailed there in the curiosity Of children.
some of whom are 10 and 16 years old.
In the first civilian they have ever
seen. They are especially interested in
his clothes. In the past they have
encountered only the cotton clad Zapa-
Railroad TrafHa Resumed.
Except for the extreme southwest sec
ton, where Zapata has taken refuge,
the whole State is quiet and there has
not been a single skirmish reported In
weeks. In addition to the resumption
of railway service between Mexico City
and Cuernawaca the Interoceanic Rail-
way Is operating trains between Cuautla
and this city. The trains are run with
out armed escorts. but strategic points
are we'll guarded, especially the bridge
ut Nepantla, where 1t is estimated 5000
civilian railway passengers were
slaughtered by zapatlstas during the
ten years os rebellion.
During tho first months that Gov
eminent forces occupied Morelos tho
Zapatistas were suspicious and offers
OF amnesty were ignored. but when at
least 700 had given UP their arms and
had received the promised guarantees
the majority Of those remaining with
the rebel chief FASTENED to surrender.
Gov. smith to Watch Parade.