Evening star., 1920-05-22

carranza Was Obscure
in Politics Until 1917
Venustiano Carranza, elected Presi-
dent of Mexico. March II. 1917. by the
largest vote ever cast in a presidential
election in his.country. stepped from po-
Utica! obscurity to national and intefna-
tional prominence ON the graves Of the
hopes Of Gen. Victoriano Huerta, the
usurper, and his followers.
simultaneously with Gen. Huerfa's 8
coup d'etat and the assassination of
the world that Gen. Venustiano Car
rama, elected governor of the state Of
Coahuila. in 1911, refused to recognize
the usurper and would resist him by
force OF arms.
"Maderos revolution was political"
Mine is a social one"
Born of parents in comfortable cir
cumstances in Cuatro Cienagas. state of
Coahuila. December 90, 1853. Venustiano
carranza was educated in the public
schools of his native state and later
studied law at the Mexican capital.
When he was admitted to the bar. how
ever. affection of the eyes prevented him
from practicing and he returned to his
native state to become rancher. His
judge. senator and finally governor of
Coahuila. made Carranza familiar with
the agrarian problem, the root of politi-
cal unrest in Mexico.
Rallied Band Of 600 Followers.
Having deled Huerta, Carranxa
rallied a small band Of 500 followers.
which grew into a siEable army.
when he won the support Of Francisco
villa Carranxa's influence spread
rapidly. the military victories OF his
chief aid. Villa. rallying the various
factions Of northern Mexico around
his banner. For a time, however.
real progress was slow. Huerta's .
machinations had embroiled Mexico
with the United States and interven-
tion seemed imminent. The killing of
w. s. Benton. . British subject. by a
Gated the situation.
Then came villas victory at Tor
reon, the first real success OF the
war. Carranza was pressing Huerta
hard when the A B c conference
to discuss the differences between the
in Buffalo. Gen. Carranxa refused to
suspend hostiiities and declined to
abide by the result OF those dtplO-
matte negotiations. The fighting went
on with the result that Gen, Huerta
resigned the provisional presidency
y o. Il =
Carranza made his triumphal entry
meantime having ded to Spain.
Shortly afterward independent rev.
olutionists led by by zapata, Gen.
Pascual Orozco and others com;
Carranxa. which began At the Tor
Senfember %, 1914, when villa de-
cIared war on Carranza- Gen. Alyaro
Obre4on became CarranZa's leading
general
Formed Coaveafjeaist Government.
The villa generals met at Aguascal-
ientes in November, 1914. and, IN ALI.
ance with the Zapata faction. formed
q conventionist government; Ine
capital changed hands several times
and was not finally taken by Gen.
Obreeon until the summer Of 1915.
The beginning Of the end Of the
yiiia-Zapata party as q military pow :
er followed swiftly the heavy de-
feats Of Villa by Gen. Alvaro ODregon.
Villa was forced to give up Tofreon
ana concentrate his dwindling forces
in northern Chihuahua and eastern
sonora making occasional forays and
raids which eliminated In the attack
on Columbus, n. NJ, that resulted IN
the invasion OF Aexlcan hefrieory oS
Gen. Pershing.
In the Diplomatic exchanges that
ensued between President Wilson and
Carranza, who had been ofhciaily
recognized as the head Of the defacto
government by the United States In
October. 1915. he insisted on the re-
spect By the United States Of Mexi-
cn's soyereignty and the concession
to his government Of reciprocal rights
81 Invasion. He maintained his po-
eition despite the crisis caused by the
clashes between Mexican and Ameri-
can soldiers at Parral and Cafrizal'
but when war seemed unavoidable
Csrranza aucceeded In stemming the
tide by his proposal for the appoint
ment Of a joint commission to settle
fhe difScuifies amicAbiy. The proposal
was accepted by President wilson ana
the deliberations of the commiseio
Of friendly relations .Ss1 Ssswsen tne ne tMe trc
Anericao Army and the restoration
Of friendly relations between the two
countries
EI.etea President IN 1917.
In the mea ntime Carranza had called
a constitutional congress. which ac-
ceoted most of the reforms ne out
lined. On March II. 1917. ne was
elected President More than 500. 900
votes were cast for him He TOOK the
oath Of office May I. 1871.
u messaxe to the Mexican con-
rress following his Inauguration n
PRESIDENT, carranxa declared Mexieo's
:..trief" neutrality. His note to neu-
trail nations. however. urging them to
declare emabrgoes against all the
Emronean belligerents. as a means of
endinr the war. and the warmth of
his ianguage in coneratulating EN-
na,or William on the occasion Of his
last birthday. aroused comment in
the United States. as DID also the pub
iication Of the Zimmerman note. in
vitine Mexico to take "by conquest
the states Of Texas. Arisona and New
Nexico in payment for . declaration
Of war on the United States acting in
concert with Japan.
Gen. Carranza was I1 marriea ana tof Or
damghters, Miss Virginia Carranza,
became the wife of Gen. Candido
ARuilaf