El Nuevo mexicano., 1919-04-17

~
EVERY we'll regulated revolution
should have a romance and a
hero, General Felix Diaz is the hero
of this n and his return to Mexico
Ito rally his countrymen against the
~Carrancista needs no garnishing by
1.-THE imagination OF the fictionist.
General Diaz was, as all the world
knows, destined Jointly with General
Huerta 10 govern Mexico when the
Madero administration collapsed in
1913. But Diaz was no match in am
bition and strength for his associate
and within a few days Huerta found
a legal way to place himself In the
presidential office. Defeated political
rivals have not found continued resi-
dence in Mexico salubrious and Gen.
eral Diaz went abroad, remaining in
Cuba and the United States until Feb
Iruary IL. 1916. Convinced of the in.
sincerity of Carranza and his asso
ciates and assured that the condition
|of the Mexican people was growing
steadily worse, he sailed from a place
near Galveston, Texas, with only four
companions in a small motor boat. It
was his intention TO land to the south
lof Vera Cruz and make his way across
the country to Oaxaca, where Car
rama had never succeeded In estab
fishing his Authority. But a storm
drove La Proyidencia, as the boat had
been named, ashore near Soto de la
Marina. on the coast OF Tamaulipas,
and the five voyagers were arrested
by the Carrancistas.
In preparation for his adventure
Diaz had exposed himself to the sun
until he was burned as brown as an
Indian; had let his hair and beard
grow long, and had injected into his
eyelids a solution that caused them TO-
swell and become infIamed. In this
Nnkempt peQns Francisco Sanchez, 1t
is small wonder that no one recog.
nized the debonair4 Felix Diaz, tho
petted faYorite OF the capital in its
golden days. He and his companions,
under suspicion Of being revolution
lists, spent some time In jail at Mata-
moras and we're later sent to Monter-
reY for further examination, where
they pleaded mt guilty.
No evidence being found against
them the prosecutor prepared a rec.
concentration that they be released,
had to be sent TO Mexico City
for approval, Don Felix, knowing
that this meant weeks, perhaps
months, longer in the Monterey peni-
tcntiary, boldly demanded an imme-
diate trial for himself and his com
panions, with the result that on April
20 the five we're acquitted.
Asked where he wanted to go, Diaz
that he preferred to stay hi
Monterey, since, as he had once been
arrested and confined In prison for no
ether offense than being a poor, ship
wrecked fisherman, he did not carei
to again venture where he was not
This convinced the Judge
that the five should have passports.
aud Don Felix cOuntered by demand
point being conceded, he and three
companions decided to go to Mexico
City, while the fifth OF the party
for the United States to rel
port the fortunes Of his chief to
friends there,
Dias found refuge III the home .cf
4 friend III Mexico City, where he re-
NAMED from May 4 to May IA, busy
Ing himself secretly With politicalf
matters. Carranza's spies. In New
Orleans picked up some %indiscfeet rel
marks Of the courier and flashed the
word to Mexico City to look out forl
Diaz. General 0bregon then minister
Df war, put the police. on the trail and
soon located Don Felix who escaped
on horseback with not q moment to
spare. Amador Cardenas, the friend
WHO sheltered him, spent several
months in prison and barely missed
being executed.
Diaz went through Puebla to Oaxa-
ca, where he Bpens some time IN con
sultation with Guilierm0 Meixueiro,
The revolutionary leader, and FROM
here began his famous pilgrimage to
Ehe headquarters OF the various reyo-
Iutionary chiefs, out OF which grew
the Epercito Reorganization Nacional
That army is a ratification Of most
not, indeed by bringing them to +
in one place, but by persuade
ing them ~tolrecognize one leadership
and to adhere to a fixed political prin
While these forces are yet to
/ large extent. the personal foliowihgs
ii local jefes or chiefs, they all fight
or the restoration Of The legitimate
constitution and Tor a. return to law,l
'rder and prosperity Il