The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-06-29
Vl!'|I D {. | !. !.
WATCHED STILL
~ Uncertainty of Former Rebels
Actions Causing Consid-
cradle Concern.

<s5SfExICOiCITY June 12-Des-
pite& his repeated assurances that
y he Is no longer a bandit but a
gentleman farmer ,of the state Of
Durango, the movements Of Fran
cisco Villa are being closely wat
ched in official circles here. To
some observers it is difficult TO
believe that this former guerrilla
has accustomed himself to the
routine OF ranch life and is now
finding IN his growing crops and
lowing herds the contentment that
man OF his tremendous nervous
energy derived in the past from
daring deeds Of warfare.
Is Villa the staunch friend OF
the Obregon administration that
4 his friends claim for him? Will
Villa stay out of politics. and play
sno#partsin the Forthcoming con-
Gressional elections? In the event
asof$ a serious threat against Obre-
$gon' power would Villa rally his
1900 ranchers in behalf of the
president or would he lead his
men in "a new revolution? These
ARE the frequent questions OF the
street here and the answers are as
varied as those who make reply.
The qualification of Villa is pro-
Claimed by the friends or row
sional President de la Huerta as
1.-The one big achievement Oh ms
short administration in 1920. 10
secure the peace pact with the
famous bandit it was necessary
for the Mexican government 10
j. grant him an extensive tract Oh
land on which his faithful follow.
Il ers. y M M bering some 1000, might
worl1 and prosper. There was also
V 4 transfer Of considerable cash
yphichsVil said he needed to de-
SveIop his new ranches. 1t is also
understood that one Of the stlpu-
slations OF the agreement was thaC
villa. was to stay orr of politics.
Villa settled in the state OF
Durango and the few persons who
have visited his hacienda report
that he is an enthusiastic farmer
SSOf late, however, stories have
been creeping out of the north 10
theEeffect that furrowed fields ana
Y blooded dairy stock are commenc-
ing to pail and that to relieve the
mon otony, the captor of Columbus
is mixing Just a trifle il the state
politics of Durango. Some reports
4 are that he has been asked to run
y for governor and has consented.
but persons close to the man deny
& the 3rumors No matter what the
facts tile uncertainty of Villa
action is causing considerable
comment in the capital which
within the past two months has
been put one the qui yive several
( times by authentic statements
ssthat the Durango rancher was on
his way to Mexico City to consult
with his president. He has never
arrived and there is small posi-
bility that he will come
All of which has merely served
Ito revive the months old ques-
Iii oning Villa stand fast no
matter what turmoil might arise
In Mexico City? If one is to be-
lieye stories of Villas heavy in
@vestm ents in oil drilling outfits
y and his rumored plans to reoulld
"a stockyard and packing house at
u Ciudad Juarez which his men des-
stroyed several years ago. there IS
reason to think that the Canutlllo
farmer is. just that and nothing
4 more. On. the other hand, visitors
at the ranch say that the Canutlllo
arsenal&istw supplied with arms
and ammunition. But, as they
say, Villa must arm himself to
protect his ranch from bandits.
&.