Imperial Valley press., 1920-12-04
lBy Associated Press)


Alvaro Obregon was inaugurated yes
terday as president of Mexico, and
prefaced his induction into office with
promises of the immediate institu-
ton of a program Of social and civil
reform that was said TO be the bass
for the revolution last summer when
ultimately swept him into power.
He stated not only to the press hut
in several joint conferences with con-
gress that Mexico must open its doors
to foreigners OF good intent, must
protec5 foreign capital, must sette
It's international obleatioas-in otE-
e. words must get II tuLe with The
world.
AS the fundamental basis for this
adjustment, he has asserted that
Mexico must return to a normal mode
OF living IN which petty ameluons o.
individuals must be submerged ana
vital policies Of social reform put into
practice.
He recognizes education of the
masses as the real first need and, II
his plans are carried ou,, schools len.
neglected will be opened and school
teachers, long undeTpaid and in many
cases not paid at all, will be given en- +.
ployment.
The new president was born in 1880
in the state OF Sonora. From early
childhood he was forced to work for
q living, but he has become one CT the
country's biggest industrial men. lie
is said to possess considerable wealth. /
Revolutions in Mexico within the
past few years made him first
,.,1 h.
staunch adherent of Carranza, whose
succession to the presidency is said TO
have been largely due to the military
genius and energy Of Obregon. 1t
was General Obregon who at Celaya I
inflicted what is said TO be the only
decisive military defeat Francisco
Villa, the bandit, ever suffered. With .
Carranza in power. General Obreeon .
vas entrusted with many difficult
tasks of reconstruction, occupying
numerous official posts, including
that of minister of war
When, in the fall of 1919, President (
Carranza announced definitely that
he would retire from office at the ex-
piration of his term on Dec. J., 1929, |
and that elections would be held in a
regular and legal manner, General
0bregon was the first to announce his
candidacy. From his hacienda home
in Sonora early this year ne issued q
manifesto which proclaimed him the
leader of the liberal constitutionalis,
party and announced a platform of
reform upon which he proposed to
make his campaign. He immediate
ly began tour of the republic.
NJ - fo ,.,%.
in the national capital. General Pab-
10 Gonzales, at first reputed to hold
the official favor Of President Car
rama as his successor. began an act
i've campaign and within a few
weeks Ignacio Bonillas, at that time
Mexican ambassador to the United
States, announced his candidacy as a
civilian, charging that Obregon and
Gonzales both represented the mill
tary classes. Refuting the latter as
sertion, Obregon requested congress
to withdraw his rank as general, but
this was refused.
Early in April General Obregon re-
ircd 70 his home in Sonora, follow
ing published charges that the Car
rama regime was attempting to en-
barrass his candidacy. Almost CO.
incident with this retirement came
The DETECTION Of Adolfo de Ia Husrta,
who, as governor of Sonora, refused
10 recognize the sovereignty Of Pes
ident CarranZa IN certain state af-
fairs. This disagree ement culmiuate3
oorly in Nav in open revolution with
which General Obregoa and numerous
Of bis political aids and large num-
Lers Of followers became affiliated.
Followed then IN quick succession
The march Of tee army Of the north
en- Mexico CITY and its subsequent
bicodiess capture the flight Of Presi-
uort CarranZa and his cabinet ard the
death Of the executive IN a lonely
mountain hut
Acoifo de Ia Huerta was elected by
congress as the provisional president
to act until Dec. J. General ODregon
Immediately returned 20 an energetic
campaign and in September was
oYerwhein lngly elected president
An official canvass Of the votes cast
showed that General Obregon re-
celyed l,l31,75l and his nearest op-
pcncnt, Alfredo Robes Dom.ngueZ.
received 47,442.
Since the election General Obregon
has remained in Mexico Citv, actively
engaged in preparing for his Undue
tion into office. lto varied his rou-
tine by a short visit to the Texa2
state fair at Dallas, anG upon his re
turn declared that he was convinced
that cordial relations exist and will
exist between Mexico and the United
States.
There has been much speculation
as to the personal Of h cabint which
th new president will appoint. III
has declined to intimate whom hr
will select. The following have beci
suggested at various times by tn
newspapers:
Secretary of Gobernacion Estate
and chief of cabinet, Rafael Zubara
Capmany; sub-secretary, Jose Inc
Novelo.
Secretary of Foreign Relations -
Fernando Calderon, former high com
missioner to Washington; sub-secre
tary. Luis Sanchez Ponton.
Secretary of the Treasury -- ID
r,stherto Hidalpo. present gub-secr.