Arizona republican., 1922-03-01

which he left the train. Rumor has
always insisted that Obregon and
Elias Gales have at various times
been on the edge Of a break. Both
Gales and Obregon are Sonora men,
and it is likely that a doubt as to
which man the Yaquis would follow
in that event has deferred or per-
haps averted any dissolution of their
political partnership.
Meanwhile President Obregon has
had his hands full in other direc-
tions. Little by little he has restored
order in Mexico. There is mighty lit
tie banditism in the country now.
believe it to be quite as safe to travel
in as is the United States. Here on
the west coast General Flores. the
military commander, has been unos-
tentatiously hunting down and hang
ing the ''bad men," No one knows
how many he has hung. but that he
has done a good job is certain. One
hears of II in one batch and "a in
another. Now and then little 10 men
instructions break out. They never
get very far Obregon is not merci-
less man. On the contrary he seems
to be a very kindly, generous. much
enduring foe. But it isn't safe to
trifle with him too far.
mas NOnClIGLcQ kNS U GQQiS
Because c6 these conditions - po-
litical, revolutionary and of the po-
Icing order, it has undoubtedly
seemed the part of wisdom to con-
ciliate the Yaquis. With their hard
bitten fighting men as a nucleus a
revolutionary attempt might prove
more formidable than it otherwise
could. Likewise there can be no doubt
that the government has been moved
by finer and more humanitarian sem
timents. Obregon has lived all his
life in or on the limits of the Yaqui
country. He realizes, as must anyone.
that they suffered great wrong
when their country was taken away
from them. He undoubtedly sympa-
thizes with them. So does Elias Cal
les, the strongest man in Sonora with
the exception of Obregon, and his
right hand man, Adolfa de la Huerta.
who was once provisional president
and who lays claim 10 a share of
Yaqui blood himself
For these and collateral reasons
then the Mexican government has
done its best to satisfy the Yaquis.
Their chiefs have been given the
rank and pay of officers in the army.
the two principals being commis-
stoned as generals. The Yaqui bucks
are given the pay and rations of pri-
Yates in the army, which amounts
to one peso a day for each man:
beans. corn, meat and the right to
bear arms. In all Sonora only the
Yaquis have the legal right to carry
arms. Every buck of them has rifle
under his elbow and is belted about
with from one to four straps of cart
ridges.
Indians "Reclaim" Ranches
If that were all the Yaqui situation
might be considered an unusual one,
perhaps, but not a threatening one
Unfortunately the Yaqui keeps press
ing on. Now and then they reclaim
a ranch on which some Mexican fam
lily has lived for generations. They
give the legal owner of the ranch an
order on the Mexican government foA
the full value of his property. The
government recognizes these orders.
but has not been able to pay many of
them because Of a temporary short
age of funds due TO the many de-
mands and the business depression.
Recently the Yaquis have driven
the people out of three small towns
in the Yaqui valley. Potam, Vicam.
and Torin, which have been postof-
fees for years. Now not a person
not of 4aqui blood lives in what were
once these towns. A fourth town, Ba-
cum. is being slowly absorbed. An