Evening journal., 1921-03-15
WHAT VILLA IS
Thinking ABOUT
Compels Cleanliness and
Favors Teaching Bible
in Schools
is GENERAL" OF
BIG DOMAIN
Rr G. A. pELFELpER.

| talked long with the reformed
Mexican bandit and revolutionist
rode for hours over the estate which
the Mexican Government presented
10 him as a peace taken, at at his
table, slept under his roof and got
well acquainted with him.
Villa is conducting an immense
colonization scheme on his 400 900
acres OF land in Durango. In addi-
tion TO 400 OF his former soldiers,
probably 600 other Mexicans-men,
women and children-are living un-
der his direct rule in his new do
main.
Here Villa Is supreme.
He has been supplied by the Mex
ican Government with tractors.
binders mowers. gang-plows and
every kind OF modern American
farming machinery.
He has planted 5000 acres OF
winter wheat and is breaking up
ground for 5000 acres OF corn.
His wife is teaching the young
Mexican homen home economies
and English.
villa is forcing education upon his
people. The little public school runs
fun blast day and night.
The litigation works on Villas
land Is a model OF efficiency. It
would be a credit in any irrigated
region in the United States.
He is constructing sanitation
works and putting bath rooms In
houses. He compels cleanliness
or religion, villa admits a mini
mum into the life OF his colonists.
However, twice a year clergy
man may come 10 baptize children,
marry couples and preach sermons.
And villa favors Bible teaching in
the public schools.
The old church in the hamlet ad-
joining Villas realm is used by him
as a storehouse.
Whether there Is a God or not. I"
villa says. Bible study will tend TO
make people see the difference be-
tween right and wrong, 60 be fair
with their fellowmen. tell the truth
and keep their word"
But he still places more reliance
in gunpowder than in religion. His
constant companion is six-shooter
in his belt. With IL I saw him hit
mark so yards away. at the first
shot.
with all his farming activity and
numerous other projects that re-
quire his personal supervision. villa
finds time for his daily diversion--
training fighting cocks.
Every morning the general--the
title was confirmed by the govern
ment in the terms cor, Inns retire
ment-personally takes the birds out
to the patio OF his personal quarters
and ties each 20 tree.
He frees a pair and enjoys the
fight meanwhile observing with an
expert and critical eye which bird
strikes the harder. They practice
without metal spurs--so the sport
Of training them is not as bloody
as match.
shortly after 7 was introduced 10
Villa he proposed that we ride over
his ranch. The two big things /
learned on tha tlong ride in the sad
die were:
villa has learned much about
pure bred livestock. modern
farming and irrigation.
Villa has the best cavalry
horses I have ever seen. horses
with phenomenal powers OF en-
durance.
The general pointed out the hors,
was to ride as the attendants LED
out a number OF animals from tn,
stables for our party.
Vilia himself rode q big bay, will
powerful legs and chest that de-
noted enormous heart and lung ca
pacity.
villa limps slightly with his righ
ior from sniper's wound in on,
Of his raids on Mexican towns.
wound that caused him TO hide in I
cave for many DAYS.
The limp, however. did not inter
fere with his lifting his bulk OF 2ol
pounds Of solid bone and muscle q
the saddle. And his horse was on a
smart gsllop.
We saw the waterworks the gov
ernment is constructing for villa
We saw the four tent colonies o.
workers-living in the fields neai
their work.
The 100 soldiers assigned 20 ViTat
are not acting as a garrison. In
stead, they are working with pick,
and shovels Their guns are LOCKED
up IN the warehouse.
villa Speeds Up Process.
Villa arrived on the ranch oni,
last September The place was d.
lapidated The buildings were 1,
poor repair and unclean Il ha,
been the headquarters OF a rlcl
spaniard ousted by the revolutions
Villa has forced the government I,
promise as the price OF his oeasini
guerrilla warfare It would install
waterworks, sewerage. electdic light
ana even telephones. And he's see
ing that this is done.
We got back from the ride afte
nightfall and went in for the sur
per which Mrs. Vnla had prepare
for us.
Mrs. Villa lived in San Antoni
Texas, FOR a number OF years. viii
Villa was at war.
Vow, with villa at peace. she n,
returned TO him with their 10,
children.
Mrs. Villa is fair. speaks Engli,
wothout a trace OF accent, and So
an American table for her husband
guests She does not join the dim
party at the table, but supervis
the serving Of the meal IN course
Il am very proud OF Francisco
Mrs. villa told me. "The cover
has, only given him what ne n
been fighting years 10 get-a just r
ward for his services in the. owe