The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1920-08-18

civil governor Of the northern district
Of Lower California, has maintained
his supremacy since 1914 while in
other parts Of Mexico governments
rose and fell HIS friends said he
remained IL power because he Kept
s,loof from various disturbances in
Mexico City, and along the United
States border.
Internal dissatisfaction in Lower
California with certain policies Of the
Cantu government and what was de-
scribsd as a departure from his course
of alcftness led 10 trouble for the
governor in 1920 Many residents
Of his district opposed Cantu's icens.
ing Of gambling and liquor and his
orders permitting Chinese immigrA'
tion
The Cantu government received
large revenue from beth immigration
and from the licenses, which We're is
sued, mainly 10 persons operating
along the border.
Cantus position had grown less
secure because OF these factors be
fore the overthrow Of President Car
rama. He had expressed his allegi'
ance to that regime and was slow
after its overthrow, 10 declare him
self in accord with the de facto gov
eminent headed by Provisional Presi'
dent de la Huorta When he finally
did not recognize the new regime, u
has been said, his power began TO
wane.
General Obregon, representing the
provisional government sent Baldo'
nero Alamada 10 MeXicali 10 succeed
Cantu as governor, following a dem
onstration by persons who wanted him
10 remain in office he changed his
expressed intention and determined
to remain. Thsnceforth relations with
the provisional government grew more
strained, until finally each side issued
n proclamation. and announcing a
campaign for his removal, and the
governor severing his relations with
the de Ia Huerta government and an
nouncng that he proposed TO stand
of his rights as a Mexican citizen and
hold his office.
Diplomatic negotiations for a SET
! tlement failing, the provisional govern
ment undertook its military campaign
against the Cantu government,
Cantu's former attitude toward VII
! la and Carranza was the same. Be
fore the constitutionalst convention
was held in Aguas Calientes, May
1914. Colonel Cantu indicated that ne
would not oppose the appointment Of
a Villa adherent as jefe politico lpol-
ticsl chief for Lower California
northern district providing the ap'
pointee would devote himself to help.
ing keep order in the peninsula ana
make no demands on the peop'e Of the
territory. Gen. Baltazar Avilez was
sent by Villa to Ensenada, then the
capital Of the northern district Of
the territory. but his administration
was short.livel. ending within rev
months. and followed by his indict'
ment by q federal grand jury, al
Los Angeles, Cal, on a charge OF pro-
noting a revolution in Mexico.
Throughout his stay on the penih-
sula, Colonel Cantu maintained ms
headquarters at Mexicali poruer
town. twin of Calexico, Cal, and IN
the wears he directed affairs, MeXi'
cali grew to one of the most preten!
tious towns of Lower California. with
n population OF 1000, including 'VVo
Chinese farmers, merchants and LABOR
ers. II boasts of a concrete and ADOBE
government building, started Two years
ago and still unfinished, stone par
racks and several substantial frame
buildings used for government pur'
poses all of them built under Cantu
direction with revenue derived from
import duties, and local taxes. Amerl'
cams with business interests in MeXl-
cali and in the Imperial Valley oelo"
the border praised him highly Tor MS
prorressiveness and fair dealing.
In addition 10 the erection or lhe
government buildings at Mexican ne
pushed 10 completion a canine (roaa)
from Meyicali to Ensenada, on ths
west coast. more than 10 miles II.
length and which in many places hao
to be blasted out of solid rock. Far
allelling this road he installed tele-
eraph and telephone equipment, con
Meeting up the two towns and sInallel
ones for the first time with means o'
communication other than by courier
of mail.
Colonel Cantu was sent TO MeMcal
from Chihuahua City in 1911 to drlVt
from the district band of filbuster'
who had assaulted the jail, Killed thS
taller and released the prisoners 1ht
attack was charged TO members OF thc
Industrial Workers of the World, whc
were said TO have attacked the placS
in order 10 liberate one Of their mum
Der.
At the time Cantu, though but ~
years old, has seen considerable serN
ice as an officer in the MeXicai
army. He held the rank Of captain
having been graduated ten years pe
fore from the Chapultepec Academy
Mexico's West Point
Soon after leaving the nationa
academy, Cantu won his spurs as
a fighting man, in decisive cam
paign waged against Indians IN SO
nora, He never was wounded pu'
had many narrow escapes.
Before Cantu's arrival at Mexican
The fillibusters, whose ranks had beer
augmented by close TO two hundrec
men. making in all force Of close tc
ESQ, had di II off Governor Ceise
Vega, who had hurried 10 the scene
with troops from Ensenada,
Between the departure OF vega
troops and the arrival Of Cantus Ted
erals, Rodolfo Gallegos, rancher
stepped into the limelight, and, wltf
the business men back Of him, organ
lied force Of volunteers who drove