The evening Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1918-1920, 1919-07-19


The one part Of Chihuahua that An
Geles and Villa do not control Is tn,
border city of Juarez, opposite El paso
and they would today be in possession
of that much-needed border port bu
for the fact that they brought about
American Intervention in their plans
by firing over the border into the Texas
city. The Americans did not go tC
Juarez to help Carranza, as some poo
pie think, but solely for the purpose OF
safeguarding the lives of Americans on
the Texas side of the Rio Grandc.
The next more important rebel
| force in Mexico is that under com
mand of Manuel Pelaez, who dominates
the oil-producing regions Of the Tam
pico country. Pelaez has under his
command 5000 we'll organized and fair
ly we'll equipped men. The value of
| the foreign oil interests in the ter
ritory in which Pelaez is operating is
estimated at more than 100000.
Pelaez is said to be pro-ally in sentl-
ment, and to this Is due in large part
the failure of the Germans and their
Carranzista sympathizers to gain con-
troll of the oil fields while the Euro
pean war was actively under way.
Allies Like Meixuero.
Under Guillermo Meixuerio, in the
state of Oaxaca, is another rebel force
of several thousand well organized
10
but Intellectual efforts to dlslodgc Meix-
uerio, who is easily one of his most
feared opponents, and whose record Is
such as TO win the sympathetic APPROX
al of the allies. MeXuerio is full
blooded Zapotec, a lawyer, and man
Of fine education.
Next In importance among the rebel
groups IS that commanded by Felix
Daz. Under Diaz, according to Off
cial information there are approxi-
mately 5000 men. The Diaz forces,
however, unlike those under Pelaez,
Angeles and Meiyuerio, are loosely Or
ganized and are said to be in great
need Of ammunition and other war ma
terials. Despite this handicap, how
ever, the Fclicistas. as the Daz reb
els are known, continue to be a force,
and all the efforts of Carranza to
break up the organization have failed.
The FeliclStas are operating in the
state of Tamaulipas In the north and
in part of Hidalgo. Puebla, and Vera
Cruz in the south. The southern Fe-
licista area forms the center link in
the rebel ocean barrier.
The state of Morelos and small parts
OF the states of Mexico and Guerrero
form the area in which the famous
Zapatistas are and have been operut- /
ing for the last seven years. As ,
for Cantu, In Lower California, the |
situation there can be dismissed with |
a word. Cantu is in absolute control !
Of that part of Mexico, and Carranza
Is making no effort to interfere with
set up.
Smuggle Arms In.
The seventh of Carranza's troubles
ire the Yaquis of western Sonora,
They are operating In bandit groups
md number probably several thousand,
like the Villistas, they are armed and
by smuggling from the United
States. The Yaquis are among the
'ardest and best fighters in Mexico.
md little if any effort is being made
~ the federal government to restore
rider In that part of Sonora under
heir domination.
Lastly, the bandits. Official reports
rove that everywhere in Mexico the
Gtlaw bands are to be found Their
lumber Is unknown, but they are
owerfui enough to hold the attention
f considerable part of CarranZas
ard-pressed little regular army of co.
90 men.
Briefly, what precedes gives the line
p of the factions that are fighting
Or control of Mexico.
Here are some of the facts, officially
established, that have resulted from
he countrywide internecine strife in
Texico.
Economically Mexico is in the midst
crisis which is characterized by
le intense poverty and the actual want
the great mass of the people. The
orale of the population everywhere
as never lower than at the present
me- The general health of the peo-
e is everywhere bad. Cattle raising,
lie principal industry Of the nation, is
'day only about ten per cent of what
was in 1914. OF all Mexican in
1stries, the growing of henequin alone !
lows progress. All textile factories !
i'd sugar mills, with a few exceptions,
e out Of business and those that are
)erating are run down and in need of
pair. Practically all Of the coun-
VS. 10000 miles Of railroads are de- |
or destroyed as a result of |
bel and bandit activity. Not a cent I
interest has been paid on the ma |
lnal foreign debt in more than five I
ars. E
More than rs per cent of the popu- t
ton is now absolutely illiterate. The q
tional credit Is gone, and the for v
On oil interests are, despite the ap- c
rent friendly attitude of Pelaez, t
anaced. AS an indication of the r
alth of the people, latest reports es- f
nate the yearly death rate in Mexico Il
ty is p 900, while the reported birth
te is only $500. It is believed, how
err, that q correct census wo1ld shov1,