The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1920-05-28
VILLA WILL NOT
DISBAW TROOPS
Famous Mexican Says
He is Suspicious
of Others
BY Gerald Brandon

BY Gerald Brandon
Who has just returned from an ex-
tended tour Of Mexico. Written
exclusively for Universal Service.
NEW YORK.-Despise the many
press stories to the contrary, abso-
lutely no understanding has been ar
rived at between Francisco Villa and
the leaders Of the Obregonista move
ment. Questioned regarding his
humble attitude, Villa said:
81 do not see my way clear to dis
band my men at present. We have
been fighting for the downfall of
tyranny in Mexico, and not merely
to overthrow the individual tyrant
Carranza. OF course, the present
la cuartelazo (coup d'stat) by
which Obregon and Gonzales have
assumed charge of the country, is
step in the right direction, but who
knows whether the common people
will benefit from it or not?
up to the present absolutely no
negotiations have been carried on be-
tween us. At first | was suspicious.
thought that the whole thing was
fake arranged to get me within
reach of the Carranza troops and
thus trap me.
You will remember that General
Pablo Gonzales engineered pre-
tended military deception which
fooled General Zapata and cost him
his life. / will never be caught in
that way. ! have to be cautious, not
that care for myself, but I am the
last hope of the Mexican people, and
for their sake l shall redouble my
precautions"
But you must have become con-
WINGED that this revolution is not a
fake" protested. Mexico City has
fallen and Carranza is fleeing toward
Vera Cruz, pursued by General
Sanchez"
Eyes, | believe that the Oregon
lists truly have broken with Carranza
but l am not sure that they are on
the side of the people.
ITO me it appears that it is a mat
ter of get out of the chair so that
may get in As we say in the
cattle country, 1T is the same old
bull, tho his color seems changed
from wallowing in the mud
81 am not accusing the Oregon
lists of insincerity, but l will tell you
a story which will explain why ! do
not accept their statements and
promises at face value. In 1919
group of revolutionary generals be-
came convinced of Carranza's bad
faith and decided to GUST him from
the leadership of the constitutional
list movement. They came to me and
told ME that in so much as l had
helped to make him, 1t was my duty
to break him. They drew up a con-
stitution which was among the last
to sign. One general shed tears as
he affixed his signature,
"'This constitution will be the
salvation of Mexico he sobbed, This
is the happiest day of my life
Il remember how greatly ! ad-
mired that general whom thought
one of the greatest patriots had
ever met.
LESS than a month later that sob
bling patriot went back on his word
and took up arms against his fellow
signers of the document which, in his
own words, was to save Mexico 1t
was Alvaro Obregon, who thus wame
me lose faith in patriotic promises.
Since then ! have to be shown
do you mean that you will re.
fuse to join the revolution" T.
asked
at is because Obregon heads it,
that you will keep away? Do you
bear malice against him on account
of his having defeated you at
Zelaya?"
mo, you have misunderstood me.
| do not hate Oregon. | am merely
distrustful of him. However, will
admit that believe him changed
man today. He has said things dur
ing his electioneering which prove
this. He has learned by experience
that my conception of Carranza was
the true one.
1.-The mere fact he defeated me in
the battle Of Zalaya, have long for
gotten. After all one cannot win
every battle. l have many victories
to my credit and only two defeats.
Even Napoleon was not invicible. He
had his Waterloo. Hannibal also was
victorious until defeated by Cincin-
natus.'
Noting my surprise at his quoting
historical facts usually unknown to
people Of his scant educational ad-
vantages, Villa explained that while
he was in prison in Mexico City in
1913 he learned to read and write
and that later his association with
General Angeles taught him many
things. He shook his head sadly.
Angeles! There was a great
man. He never forgot that he was
of the common people altho he was
educated and knew all about military
Strategy organization. He had great
patience and taught me nearly every
A. -. 4