New-York tribune., 1919-04-10
By l.. J. De Becker

The Archbishop of Mexico has returned
other prelatcs have resumed their labors,
and still others, now in exile talk of re-
turning to their homes. The Church wishes
to make friends, and if the Church has ever
manifested sympathy with Bolshevism out
side Mexico do not recall it,
The remaining hope Of the Bolsheviki
would seem to be the opposition to the gov
ernment. At present there isn't anv. Re-
gardlcss of previous political affiliations, the
best class Of Mcxicans to-day are trying 10
uphold the existing government to make it
strong enough for security at home and re-
spcct abroad
Bandits and Eolslfevists
There remain the bandits. Have they not
realized all the dreams Of the Bolsheviki al
ready?
But the bandits not here to stay They
are doomed to disappear, they always have
when stable government has been attained
here or elsewhere. Some say that Ameri-
cans have a liking for bandits, point on
which | am not sure, as the newspapers re-
Gently carried an announcement that 10000
600 cartridges were being shipped to Gen
eral" Pelaez, the bandit who rules the oil
jungle back of Tampico. I also have rec
objection Of arms having been provided at
one time from the United States for Cen
eral" Villa.
Where do the bandits get dynamite?
That Is question the Mexican govern
ment has been vainy asking for some time
The fact Is, they have been getting it, for
they have neither the intelligence nor the
facilities to manufacture it for themselves.
Not only have they been provided with dyna-
mite, but they have learned how to use it.
Some years ago the bandits held up a south
bound train in what was then regarded as
Villa territory, and having looted it, were
much annoyed because they could not force
the lock on a car, which happened to be
loaded with giant powder and detonators for
mining camp. So they set fire to the train,
and were having wild dance about it when
there was terrific explosion. When the
smoke cleared away there were no bandits
to be seen
The Etiquette OF a Hold-Up
The blockhouse and deadline system of
guarding the tracks resorted to after
the Zapatistas and elixistas had discovered
that charge of dynamite placed under a
rail could be exploded by means of an cleo
trio wire, the patriotic" officer in charge re-
naming carefully under cover until after he
had pressed the button, and being content
with such spoils as were not destroyed in
the explosion.
The etiquette of the road in those days
was for the passengers to lie fat on the floor
when firing began and wait until they were
told to get up. If the bandits had been
beaten off, they resumed their places az be-
fore. If the bandits captured the train, thew
would offer their silver, watches, rings. hand
luggage, etc, having secreted gold or valu
able papers, and sometimes got off very
easily
But not always. There arc Stories Of wom
en- massacrcd as we'll as men, and Of per
sonal searches, which are better not repeated.
Some three years ago the wife Of man
prominent in the American COLONY here WAS
returning home over n route which was not
altogether safe. when the train stopped sud
denly. lnstnctivcly she fell to the floor and
second later bullet crashed through the
glass of tho window where she had bcen
sitting. This man had tried to be absolute
ly neutral in Mexican politics, but he got off
the fence, and it was not on tho side of the
general" who had nearly murdered his
wife.
1t Is all very we'll, of course, for tho
scoundres who rob and maltreat passengers,
dynamite or derail trains and blow up
bridges to say that they are not bandits.