The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-07-04
ITALIAN PRESERVES
 |. DIARY OF THE LAST TRIP 0F CARRANzA
Gives Vivid Picture of the HOpelessness of Journey From the Very Be-
 ginning
By Associates prsu

| Mexico City, May 2S.--A dairy wr1t' ten by Aldo Baroni. an Italian journal.
 ist, gives vivid picture of the flight
 of President Carranza and his expedi-
 ton of 10000 persons from Mexico City in the vakn effort to reach Vera Cruz in safety. It leads up to the moment when the word was passed in the expedition to save yourselves | who can" the trains were abandoned. Carranza bade Senor Baroni goodby and began the march into the hills
 which ended in his death.
 The diary discloses the fact that l Carranza evidently foresaw his end, l for Senor Baroni quotes him say l ing when he left the train to take refuge in the hills: You saw me start
 my first journey in 1913 and you will | see my last in 1920" Parts of the diary as published by Fl Universal i read:
 1 T followed Don venustiano when he left Saltiallo in 1913 with 300 men in his heroic move against Huerta. To- | day l am leaving the capital with him | to be, probably, witness of his end. am writing, seated on a bag of rice
 in the presidential supply car. The dis l organization which prevails in the sta | tion yards is terrible Nobody has the power to organize anything. The ex- ! petition appears like one to Africa Gre ferring to the enromous amount of bag gage). I just saw in a cage the lions of Barragan that used to arouse the wonder of the bourgeoisie in the Paseo de la Reforma."
 l At Apizaco he recorded Word has l passed that the last three trains have been lost. It appears that good luck | is with Don Venustiano. The word | sfraa Av,f ;c 1it. af n are damned in the cars like sardines, Our march is like that of herd of savages The military trains are filled with soldiers, who have brought their | children. domestic animals, o S..
 chickens and parrots. Their women cause the greatest disorder. In the I trains are more than 10000 persons
 and of these more thans 5000 are wom en and chilrren who vail, cry. cook, l rob and impede progress.
 | "In front of the presidential train l is luxurious Pullman buffet car, symbol of disorganization and immor- | alty. A number of girls elegantly l dressed and few elegant youths com : l ment and wave from the windows. They appear like picnickers.
 l We leave San Marcos at night with | the lights out for the enemy menaces | the rear guard and Hanks. The ill., will of the trainmen has ben notice- able since we left Mexico City. Air hose has disappeared from some of the trains and without brakes they threaten to crash into the ones preced- ling them. Water is becoming scarce There has been no military discipline since we left the capital. The troops are demoralized. The leaders act inde- pendently. (GeneraD Murguia runs everything.
 "The first shots break the morning stiffness. On horseback. followed by only one aide, Don Venustiano ad- vances at a trot. The first wounded arrive. There are few medical sup plies and the girls of the feminine train sffer their petticoats as band ages. Nobody had time to think ot medical dressings, but the lions of Bar ragan were not forgotten.
 "The President returns. He person ally led forward the cavalry on the fright flank when they began to retire Murguia has flanked the enemy and defea ted him. Under a mesquite bush a deputy is roasting chunk of red meat with great skill. Luis Cabrera is organizing battalion of civilians l All who have no arms step forward. It resembles scene from The Choco late Soldier A prisoner is questioned We learn that all Vera Cruz is in the
 power of the rebels. Candido Aguilar
 almost alone, has fled to Zongolica. "Murguia arrives, amidst cheers
 The victorious troops parade. I set
 an order of the day captured from thu
 enemy. In it Obregon orders that the trains be stopped, but that the Presi dent if he wills, be allowed to pro ceed to Vera Cruz, with full guarantees and an escort.
 The trains proceed slowly. We ar lrive at Rinconada. Ten kilometers oi trains. wrapped in silence. There is nc water. living chain passes it from hand to hand to replenish the supply of dead locomotive. Don Venustiant watches. Not a trace of the terrible battle which must be raging in his
 breast shows on his face. This mar l is made of rock
 "Carranza has statesmanlke quail ties. but one great defect He does no know men. Capable. he is surrounded by incapab1es. Honest. he allows thieves at his side.
 "I am aroused by terrific squealing Soldiers and civilians have sacked the Soledad ranch of 548 hogs. Soon thu
 cars resemble butcher shops. an
 told we are to continue our journey on foot The water problem continue.
 unsolved. Orders have been given te DuFH tHt TcCOEQS OL lHe general An airplane is to fly over the enemy lines. It has gasoline for one hour Santana tthe aviator) returns. He tells me we are surrounded The convoy i' lost. Violent firing is resumed. The
 Presidents barber burdened with arms and ammunition. explains how our ar tillery should be used It would be
 enormously ridiculous if it were not
 so terribly tragic. The soldiers wom CT stoically continue cooking.
 "Millan tGen. Augustin Milan. gov ernor of the state of Mexico) i' brought back, fatally shot through the head. Other wounded arrive. There are no doctors. no medicine.
 "rhe final moment has come. Tho President has ordered the trains aban- doned and the march to San Andres begun on foot. I have bid Carranza goodby. His smile was sad. but his
 voice firm as he said: You saw me II start my first journey in 1913 ant you will see my last in 1920
 T p. m. Carranza returns from the front at a gallop. The firings is in creasing. The first train is burning
 The troops are scattering. Now a great silence.
 "4:22 D. m. A cloud of enemies ar
 rives I see my old friend Gen. Jacintc Treveno. He is placing sentinels around the treasure train. At his feet Il in a cage. the lion cubs of Barrangar