Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1920-08-12
VILLA SilLLI\LD
ON SURRENDER TO
HIS FORMER FOES

10. - Francisco Villa surrendered
Monday.
After years Of banditry and def
| United States government, the ia
nous outlaw delivered himself into
the power of the federals in the
afternoon, and drowned his sorrows
| in bottle of cognac. ~ ~
The formal surrender ceremonies
will take place later, with pomp and
| circumstance, but Villa actually
placed his person in the hands of
his former enemies today.
He met General Eugenio Martinez.
| federal commander, under an old
| tree on a ranch five miles from San
Pedro. Villa marched as far as San
!, oadro with his men. He left his
| troops in the town end with only
a handful of retainers, rode ON to
| in accordance with the agreement
reached with the government re-
Gently.
Half a dozen military representa-
tives of President de la Huerta, with
the General Martinez among them,
tree. He gal1oped up in his Gus
tomary dashing style, then swung
from his horse and waved his hand
gaily to the little group OF off1cers.
There was general handshaking,
and then a bottle of cognac was pro-
central government were speedily
drowned in the fiery liquor.
TO Demobilize Army
General Martinez later in the week
will have charge Of the demoblllza-
ton Of the Villista troops. Each man
will be given a large ranch and a
personal bodyguard of fifty OF ms
men. who he will select and who will
be on the government payroll.
Villa received one of the greatest
ovations of his career when ne rode
back to San Pedro. A crowd estlo
mated at 5000 people welcomed the
former bandit with chorus OF lusty
Forcing his way through the
throng, bowling right and left, VIVA
was nearly overcome by his emotlons.
very eloquent speech, which was as
wildly cheered. The main theme OF
Villas speech was that the people
ought to forget politics and go PACK
tn work. He said that he had set
them a good example.
Villa was attired in riding breecn ts
leather leggins reaching ABOVE Inc
Straw Straw sombrero. Shortly after. his
arrival he discarded the straw for
S f felt hat Of American make
which was presented to him by MS
admirers. Despite the fact hat ne
is now forty-eight years rid 9d an On the the
last leg of their journey for twenty
four hours across the desert, WIN
out water, Villa appeared to De IN
the best of condition. He Iooked
rugged, healthy and staiwart, anu 4ha
apparently has thrived during the
- +1,,o months while eluding gov
eminent soldiers
II will settle down on ranch at
Canutillo,- Durango, where III ra1se
cattle and crops, villa hat,s SAID c 10 fG-
cradle change from my life Of the
last ten years, but I believe I'll DO
more for my country if l keep out
of politics altogether. I have not
desired to hold public office or any
kind. hope to. be able TO nelp PET
education. Personally could not
write my name until I was grown
man. I still have very poor edu-
cation, but my words are sincere and {,
when I say I want peace L mean IT:
Villa refused to discuss politics in
about the present federal government,
except to say that he intended to
abide by it's laws.
Receives Ovation
Describing his trip from Chihua-,
hua to where he surrendered he SAID
he travelled 900 miles in twelve days
and that for forty-eight hours he
said he knew the government was
looking for him, so he decided to tell
where he was but sought safe terri
tory first. So he said he had to
capture a town and then reveal his
presence.
1,.11 .. 49, ao,+ar IF a iovo11S
celebration in San Pedro today. He
and his men were lionized. Bands
paraded the plaza, playing the old
Villista revolutionary song, La Gu
caracha," which being, interpreted
mSab v is as an boast
ing that he will get the wh1skers
of Carranza and make himself gar
ment of them"
One of the most dramatic episodes
of the day was the meeting between
Villa and General Escobar, one of the
Carranza leaders responsible for the
execution of Felipe Angeles, Villas
old aid and close friend. Villa had
sworn to kill those responsible for
Angeles death. Today he net Es-
standing with a group Of officers
talking about Mexican military men.
Angeles" said Villa, was Mexi-
co.'s greatest general. Also he was
my best friend. 1t was crime to
kill him"
AS he spoke he fixed his eyes on
Escobar and glared. Escobar kept
his hand on his gun. The atmos-
phere was tense for moment. No
body spoke Then General Martinez
tactfully changed the subject and
the crisis passed.
Villa moved freely around town,
cheered at every turn, but it was no
ticed that he always had body
guard of five heavily armed men at
his heels.
His troopers looked fierce and wild.
They were typical of the reckless
band that made Villas name ter
ror throughout the north, and which
eluded even Pershing's expedition.