Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-04-14
ALMAzAN HAILED
AS NATIONAL HERO
37-Year- old General Served
Through Several Reyo-
buttons.

BY the Associated Press.
MEXICO CITY, April l3.-Divisionary
Gen. Juan Andrea Almazan, COM
mander OF the federal column in the
north, has emerged from the battles
OF Jimenez and La Refornna hailed as
national hero and as one of the
greatest military leaders this country
has known.
Never in Mexican history has more
intense lighting been recorded than
that which occurred April !, 2 and 8,
drenching the Chihauhau prairie in
blood, and seldom has Mexican army
commander so distinguished himself
for bravery and ability as did this 81
year-old warrior when he led his 10000
federals to what ex-President Gales
has termed "the tomb Of the most in
famous of rebellions."
Personally Led Cavalry.
Almazan was with his troops on the
firing line throughout the fighting and
he personally led the cavalry detach-
ment which ran down the retreating
rebel army at La Reforma, the day fol-
lowering its defeat at JimeneZ. He COM
pleted his victory by thoroughly wreck
ing the insurgent forces, this quick,
mastery stroke being considered as a
death blow to the revolution.
The federal commander is of French
and Spanish descent. He was educated
at Chapultepec Military Academy, the
West Point of Mexico, and had q bril-
liant career through several revolution
airy campaigns.
When Gen. Victoriano Huerta in 1912
overthrow President Francisco I. Ma
ktAA aAvAf All
mazan Joined the ZapatiSta counter
revoluionistS in the State of Morelos.
Within two years, at the age Of 81, he
rose to the rank Of missionary general,
the highest rank in the Mexican Army.
Later he joined Gen. Venustiano Car
rama, and when the latter triumphed
over Huerta he made Almazan chief of
military operations at Torreon. After
Carranza'S death the young general
threw in his lot with Gen. Aware Obre-
gon, who made him military COM
mander in the State of Vera Cruz, SUBJ
sequently transferring him to Nuevo
Leon.
Remained Loyal in 1923.
In the 1928 De La Huerta uprising
against Obregon, Almazan remained
| loyal to the government, serving as
cavalry commander of the federal army
headed by Gen. Eugenio Martinez in
| the campaingn in Puebla and Vera
| Cruz. At the important battle of Llano
Grande, Puebla he led his forces in a
| flank attack that broke the rebel re-
| sistance and forced them to retreat
| to EsperanZa. There he swept around
| to the enemy's rear and cut the line
of communications, precipitating
complete rout and then and there de-
Gliding the revolution in the govern
ment'S favor. :,
At the outbreak of the present revolt,
Almazan was chief of military opera
| lions in Nuevo Leon. He was called I'M
| mediately TO Mexico City and given
command of the federal army that had
been mobilized for the campaign IN
the State Of Vera Cruz.
When the rebellion there was checked
Almazan rushed to Nuevo Leon by air
plane and took over command of the
federal column advancing against Mon
terey. In "a hours he had recaptured
| the city from which he moved against
Torreon and occupied it a week later.
| Gen. Gales made Almazan COM
mander of the division at Torreon for
the Chihuahua campaign. Pushing
northwestward in pursuit OF the re-
| treating rebel army of Gems. Escobar
and Caraveo, he forced 1t to hight at
Jimenez, routed it and then chased 1t
| to La Refornla, where he destroyed It's
rear guard.
Almazan speaks English and extend
ed warm hospitality to the American
press correspondents accompanying his
column.