The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-08-13
HAS VILLA REALLY
 RETIRED FROM HIS
 LIFE OF WARP ARE?
Mexicans Wonder if Bandit Chief Has Given Up All Thoughts of Politi-
 cal Power


 Mexieot City, Aug, 12.-Desple repeated assurances that he is no longer a bandit, but a gentleman farmer of the state of Durango, the movements of Francisco Villa ara being closely watched in officiai 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 a man of his tremendous nervous energy derived in the past from dar- ing deeds of warfare.
 Is Villa the staunch friend of the Obregon administration that his friends claim for him? Will Villa stay out of politics and play no part in the forthcoming congressional elections2 In the event of serious threat against Obregon's power would Villa rally his 1000 ranchers in behalf of the president or would he lead his men in new reyolu- tion? These are the frequent ques- tions of the street here and the answers are as varied as those who make reply.
 The pacification of Villa is pro- claimed by the friends of Provisional President de la Huerta as the one biz achievement of his short administra- tion In 1920. To secure the peace pact with the famous bandit it was neces- sary for the Mexican government to grant him an extensive tract of land on which his faithful followers, mum bering some 1000. might work and prosper. There was also trzHsfer of considerable cash which Villa said he needed to develop his new rances. It is also understood that one of the stipulations of the agreement was that Villa was to stay out of politics.
 Enthusiastic Farmer
 Villa settled in the state of Duran go and the few persons who have visited his hacienda report that he is an enthusiastic farmer. Of late, however stories have been creeping out of the north to the effect that furrowed fields and blooded dairy stock are commencing to pail and that to relieve the monotony, the captor of Columbus is mixing just a trifle in the state politics of Duran go. Some reports are that he has been asked to run for governor and has consented, but persons close to the man deny the rumors. No niattsr what the facts, the uncertainty ot Villas action Is causing considerable comment in the capital. which within the past two months, has been put on the quivive several times by 'au- thentic" statements that the Durango rancher was on his way to Mexico City to consult with his president. He has never arrived and there is small possibility that he will come.
 All of which has merely served to revive the months old questioning will Villa stand fast no matter Yha, turmoil might arise in Mexico City7 If one is to believe stories of Villa s heavy investments in oil drilling out fits and his rumored plans to re- build stockyard and packing house at Ciudad Juarez. which hts men de- stroyed several years ago, there IS reason to think that the Canutillo farmer is just that and nothing more. On the other hand. visitors at the ranch say that the Canutillo arsenal is well supplied with arms and am intuition. But, as they say. Villa must arm himself to protect his ranch from bandits.