New-York tribune., 1920-07-30
Villa, Pleading
Only for Life,
Goes 10 Ranch
Bandit Leader Shows the
Createst Fear. as He
Leaves Troops and Be.
comes Private Citizen
Given Full Protection
Foreign Governments Are
Expected to Demand
Punishment of Outlaw
By George E. HYDE

Copyright, 1920. New York Tribune Inc
MEAlCO CITY, July 29.-Francisco
Villa. civilian, divested of all titles
ana authority, is now on his way to
the ranch of his erstwhile comrade in
arms, General Thomas Urbina. near
Nlevas, zacatecas, to take ur his resi-
dence, according to the terms of his
agreement with the de la Huerta gov
ernment.
walking arm in arm with General
hugenio Martinez around the public
piazza IN Sabinas, Coahuila, Villa agreed
10 the most drastic terms ever i'm
posed on any Mexican revolutionlst.
asking only that his life be protected
ana that his men be allowed to resume
their positions in civil life.
Il am surrendering unconditiofallv
because the country needs peace for
reconstruction" Villa said when he
met General Martinez at the railroad
station in Sabinas. When General
Martinez arrived at the station Villa
greeted him cordially.
Feared For His Life
throughout the discussions Villa
displayed the greatest caution. He
showed that he actually feared for his
IRE, but was greatly pleased at the
precautions taken to safeguard him.
Although frequently thrusting his
hand gunward, he never had occasion
to draw. being always reassured by
Martinez.
The government agreed to pay
Villas men enough to enable them to
return to civil occupations, so they
would not have an excuse later that
they were forced to resume brigandage
IN order to live. Villa was given his
choice of several places of residence,
at one OF which he was to agree to
live. The ranch near Nievas was finally
selected.
Villa desired to make the trip to
IorreOn overland with his men. al
though this meant three-days' march
over the desert The former bandit
chief evidently desired to keep his 600
men with him as long as possible. He
Is under agreement to dsband the
troops at Torreon. 1t finally was de-
clded that Villa was to go by train, but
the men would proceed to Torreon on
foot Two trains were offered Villas
men. but they refused to use them.
One theory that was advanced was
that Villa perhaps had bullion or coin
buried somewhere between Sabinas and
Nlevas and desired chance to exhume
the treasure.
In view of the evident fear of Villa
that an attempt might be made on his
life, high government official an
nounced that every protection would
be given the former rebel leader. re-
gardless of the numerous crimes he
had committed
Committed Gross Grimes
SHOULD anything happen to Villa
tins government would be accused of
connlving IN his assassination" the of
fetal said. The greater the crimes
charged against the man the greater
would be the evidence Of bad faith.
Villa IS now government protege"
1t was said that there are several
officers in Mexico City whose ears have
been cut off by Villa. and that some
bear other marks of his treatment.
while many husbands have lost wives.
fathers and daughters. All these had
been preparing to get revenge for their
wrongs The present government Off
cial just quoted had once been pre-
pared for hanging by Villa and actually
stood with a rope around his neck
1t became apparent to-day that diplo-
matte steps will be taken by foreign gov
ernments looking to the punishment of
Villa Tor the many.crimes against for
eigners attributed to him.