The Washington times., 1924-02-01

| Ritchey, according to police
reports, was in the habit OF
visiting woman at the room
ing house once or twice each
week. He was found dead in
her room shortly after a re-
volver report was heard. The
woman asserts that Ritchey
killed himself.
pending on furious charges, as
Villa did, to make it a perfect day.
Obregon is altogether a different
type Of warrior. He prepares his
army down to the last detail for
the fray. He ponders over the
Iproblem before him until. the fidget-
ling enemy rushes at him. Then
kObregon fss ready for him. He
counter-strikes like a slxillful pugi-
list-he makes the other fellows
rush do half the damage. He re.
ceives the attack with machine.
gun fire. At Celaya he moved
down 5000 Of Villas cavalrynnen in
less than a morning.
Leads Rebels On.
And he picks his own ground for
the fight, just as, he is now doing
up there beyond Irapuato. That's
the game, to lure the other fellow
lon, to make him fight just where
ihe, Obregon, wants the fight to
take place. He knows his adver-
saries. He raised them. They
were all under him in his campaign
of unbroken victories eight years
ago. By the same token they know
him.
Over soldiers he has instructive
authority, like all natural military
leaders. One of his more serious
problems in this revolution has been
typical enough Of Mexican revolu-
tions. Some of his subordinates
have turned over. They turned
over when his back was turned, so
to speak-when he wasn't on the
ground. If any of them have
turned over since he took active
command the information hasn' t
trickeled into Mexica City.
After Obregon CONCLUDED lthe
thing to do was to put on his uni
form again and forget the'~rOle Of
president for the time being, he
began to move pretty rapidly be-
tween his two armies. One day he
was at Irapuato in the west, lend
ing the prestige, inspiration and
authority of his presence to. the
development of a healthy morale
in the forces there. The day after
he was down south in front Of
Puebla or San Marcos, instiHing
fight and discipline into that gov
ernment army. He was on the
jump like the sObregon OF old. He
had to be-. He was making over
his army, teaching it to follow him.
In the strictest sense OF the word
these are Obregon's armies now.
Formally they are called govern
Suent armies; Obregon knows his
/ country.
, The deliberation of this Latin.
American leader Of men is charac-
eristically shown by his willing
ness to bide his time at Irapuato
! before engaging the Estradistas in
battle-to bide his time until re-
equipped his army with new En-
field rifles, machine guns, airplanes
and plenty of ammunition. He
waited until he got his deliveries
from Uncle Sam.
ObregOn Taking His Time.
There are those in Mexico
Americans vociferous among them
who criticise his tactics, the de-
liberation Of the man, saying his
game is to strike quickly or it will
be all up with him. They cite
Mexican history to sustain their
point. Now it becomes clear, in the
drives he has initiated against the
rebels, why Obregon has taken his
time-his armies are fighting with
infinitely better equipment than
the other fellows. It's twenty car
tridges against one every time. And,
Importantly, Obregon has given the
rebels time to learn about the help
he is getting from Uncle Sam.
Obregon in action bellies all the
conceptions Of Latin-American gen.
erals that the movies and the story
books in the United States have to
offer their audiences. The man of
the hour in Mexico is a robust
leader, who, even in the stress Of
fighting for his life, can get a
chuckle out of the situation. There's
undeniably strain Of Celt in him,
probably coming from those first
cousins Of the Irish, the BasQues
who live in the Pyrennes.
All fighter when he needs to be,
nevertheless he can think like q
scholar. There's the appreciation
he delivered right of the bat on
the decision of Washington to- co.
operate with the recognized gov
ernment Of Mexico. It has been
called the most statesmanlike ex-
preston on that subject which
has come from any quarter. The
writer asked him what he thought
about the Washington policy. In
stantly he began to dictate. No
cudgeling Of brain for word br
phrase-what he thought flowed
uninterruptedly. Even President
Coolidge could not be more exact
or more profound.
Obregon, in such situations as
have arisen in Mexico, Is a com.
bination Of swiftly functioning mind
and cool head, and he has sturdy
body to carry him forward to his
purpose. Somebody is going to be
hurt before this show is over, or
Obregon- bellies his looks, to say
nothing Of his record. Just now
he is directing offensives on two
fronts, inspiring two armies at one
time with fighting spirit and with
loyalty for their leader. A born
tighter, you would say after a
glance at him. AS the Excelsior"
said of him: "Obregon is no sui
eide"
TWO MILLIONAIRES HAVE
YACHTS OF SAME NAME