* •dbrfW* ] CO THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2013 http://archive.org/details/excitingexperwarmexOOever MEXICAN" OFFICERS ON DRESS PARADE. STEEET FIGHTING — CITY OF MEXICO. FEDERALS ABOARD STEEL ARMORED TRAIN. * .. is feti^ fet*^ „ j ; ^t > 1 1 I^itS ■Mil SU H " '-#*^* ^ i/f™Rj^g %■ . ■w '^1 BWiBfftJBli^ fjKlg^l . ^ ... . MAYOR OF JUAREZ READING MADERO'S PROCLAMATION. THRILLING PERSONAL ADVENTURES IN MEXICO EXCITING EXPERIENCES IN OUR WAR WITH MEXICO Stories of Personal Bravery, Startling Encounters and Heroic Achievements ; Stories of the People of Mexico from the Time of the Toltecs and Aztecs to the Present Day ; Vivid De- scriptions of Hard -Fought Battles; Stories of the Savage Warfare of Bandits; Stories of Heroism and Self-Sacrifice. A COMPLETE HISTORY OF MEXICO AND HER STRANGE PEOPLE BY MARSHALL EVERETT The greatest descriptive writer ever known ; Author of The Story of the Titanic Disaster. 5? Illustrated with a great gallery of photographs, maps, diagrams and cartoons f Copyright 1914, by THE BIBLE HOUSE CHICAGO, ILLINOIS ^ ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Copyright, 1913, by Harris & Ewing PRESIDENT WOODROW WILSON. Photograph, Uncleiwood ami Underwood VICTORIANO HUERTA— WHO FLOUTED CIVILIZATION. FRANCISCO I, MADERO, "REMOVED" BY HUERTA'S ORDER, Copyrighted by Underwood and Underwood POEF1EIO DIAZ— AFTER HE RETIRED. VENUSTIANA CARRANZA— "THE GENTLEMAN REBEL." FRANCISCO VILLA— THE BANDIT GENERAL. l'lll.t THE ZAPATA .BROTHERS. opynglued by Munis and Elwing FKANCISCO L. DE LA BAKRA. Harris and Ewlng EMILIO VASQUEZ GOMEZ. LUIS TERRAZAS, MEXICAN MILLIONAIRE, FRIEND OF HUERTA. I'hoto. by Paul Thompson, N. Y. BERNARDO REYES— ONE OF THE OLD GUARD. Copyrighted by Underwood and Underwood FELIX DIAZ AND JOSE ROMERO IN CONFAB. PROFILE MAP SHOWING THE RAILWAY ROUTES BETWEEN VERA CRUZ AND MEXICO CITY. PREFACE The intention of the author in writing these adven- tures in Mexico has been first of all to convey to the reader a concrete story of the present status of affairs in the revolution torn country to the south — a country so changeful in its political complexion as to have already made ancient history of most works hitherto published on Mexico. Recent facts of history leading up to the demand by an American admiral that a salute be fired to the Ameri- can flag; the devious diplomacy of Victoriano Huerta, his evasions and subterfuges in relation to American demands; the complications the United States Govern- ment has encountered in its dealings with Carranza and Villa, the constitutionalist chiefs, the sending of an army and navy to enforce respect for American rights and the American flag, and the taking of Vera Cruz by an armed force of the American fleet, are set forth in plain, matter of fact fashion. Efforts at amicable settlement made by the govern- 17 13 PREFACE ments of Argentine, Brazil and Chili as mediators, with President Wilson benignantly hoping for a peaceful issue, found practically the entire population of the United States impatient for enforcement of the nation's demands upon Huerta by warlike demonstrations against the Mexican capital, yet, to the credit of Ameri- can patience, be it said, few serious protests were made against a further delay which held thousands of our soldiers and sailors in leash while one more trial was made of peaceful methods. There are some interesting bits of information picked up by the author at first hand, such as the story of Pancho Villa's extraordinary career, sidelights on the lives of Carranza and Zapata and the rise of Huerta out of the wreckage of Francisco Madero's administra- tion. The reader will find detailed information as to our military and naval resources on the spot in Mexican waters, also as to the most recent stocktaking in con- nection with the National Guard and material for volun- teer troops. The book will be found to contain valuable informa- tion of the men who command the American forces ashore and afloat as well as of those who command the various Mexican factions. A brief history is given of Mexico — such a history as will permit the reader to approach the situation of today with intelligent compre- hension. In short, this volume is a statement of facts whieh must be brought home to the minds of all who desire to comprehend the Mexican imbroglio in its many and com- plicated aspects without reading a whole library of books. CONTENTS CHAPTER I WATCHFUL WAITING ENDS THE UNITED STATES IS FORCED INTO A PRACTICAL STATE OF WAR WITH MEXICO — MEXICO CITY SHOUTS FOR WAR AS HUERTA, THE DICTATOR, REFUSES AMERICAN DEMANDS THAT HE SALUTE THE AMERICAN FLAG PRESIDENT WILSON 's LONG-SUFFERING POLICY 25 CHAPTER II HUERTA MUST BE HUMBLED IMPRESSIVE SCENE IN CONGRESS WHEN PRESIDENT WILSON ASKS RIGHT TO ENFORCE WITH ARMS THE AMERICAN DEMANDS ON HUERTA BRILLIANT CONCOURSE OF DIPLOMATS IN FULL UNIFORM PRESENT THE PRESI- DENT 'S SPEECH 31 CHAPTER III THE WAR LORDS CONFER THE AMERICAN MAN IN THE STREET TIRED OF HUERTA 's TRUCULENT TALK BECAME ENTHUSIASTIC FOR WAR — GENERAL BELIEF THAT HUERTA, CAR- RANZA AND VILLA REQUIRED A DOSE OF THE SCHOOLMASTER'S BIG STICK — 'SHAUGHNESSY HANDED HIS PASSPORTS 41 CHAPTER IV MEN WHO COMMAND OUR FORCES AMERICAN MILITARY AND NAVAL AFFAIRS IN COMPETENT HANDS — REAR ADMHtAL BADGER COMMANDED THE CINCINNATI IN THE SPANISH WAR — GEN. LEONARD WOOD HAD SEEN SERVICE, TOO — MEXICAN FEELING AGAINST AMERICANS DUE IN PART TO WAR OF 1848 — JEALOUSY OF AMERICAN PROGRESS 65 19 CONTENTS CHAPTER V VILLA'S PROTESTATIONS OF GOOD WILL IN A CONFERENCE AT JUAREZ WITH SPECIAL AGENT CAROTHERS, VILLA PRO- CLAIMED FRIENDSHIP FOR THE UNITED STATES CALLED HUERTA AN OLD DRUNKARD — DECLARE EFFORTS TO EMBROIL NORTHERN MEXICO DUE TO CAPITALISTIC INFLUENCES — EMBRACE AMERICAN REPRESENTATIVE 73 CHAPTER VI THE LIFE STORY OF VILLA CALLED BY HIS ENEMIES A BLOODTHIRSTY BANDIT — FRIENDS INSIST HE IS A MODERN ROBIN HOOD, FORCED INTO OUTLAWRY A PRICE ON HIS HEAD SET BY DIAZ — KILLED HIS SISTER 's -BETRAYER AND WAS COMPELLED TO TAKE TO HILLS As A RESULT — HOW HE SECURED MILITARY RECOG- NITION 79 CHAPTER VII GENERAL VENUSTIANO CARRANZA ONE OF THE MOST VIGOROUS OPPONENTS OF DIAZ AND A STERN FIGHTER FOR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS — A STERN, UNCOMPROMISING SPANISH GEN- TLEMAN WHO CALLS HUERTA A MURDERER AND DECLARES HE WILL NEVER REST UNTIL THE DICTATOR HAS BEEN DRIVEN FROM MEXICO OR KILLED 87 CHAPTER VIII THE WAR OF 1848 SOMETHING OF PAST CAMPAIGNS IN MEXICO — THE TWO YEARS' WAR OF 1848 WHICH GAVE TO THE UNITED STATES CALIFORNIA, NEVADA, UTAH, ARIZONA AND PARTS OF NEW MEXICO AND COLORADO THE FRENCH OCCUPATION AND THE MONROE DOCTRINE HOW CORTEZ ORIGINALLY CONQUERED THE COUNTRY 91 CHAPTER IX THE AMERICAN FIGHTING FORCES THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS — ITS USES IN THE OPENING OF CAM- PAIGNS — GREAT BRITAIN ONLY OTHER COUNTRY WHICH H^S MARINES — WHY EVERY ABLE BODIED MAN IN THE UNITED STATES IS LIABLE FOR MILITARY SERVICE — DICK LAW IS FOR ALL PRACTICAL PURPOSES A CON- SCRIPTION ACT H3 CONTENTS 21 CHAPTER X MEDIATION OFFERED AND ACCEPTED ARGENTINA, BRAZIL AND CHILI, THE A. B. C. REPUBLICS, OFFER MEDIATION — PRESIDENT WILSON ACCEPTS WITH RESERVATIONS — HE INSISTS THAT WHATEVER MEDIATION MAY RESULT IN HUERTA MUST GET OUT — SEN- ATOR SHERMAN OF ILLINOIS DENOUNCES THE MEDIATION PLAN 121 CHAPTER XI OUR ARMED FORCES A REVIEW OF THE RECENT HISTORY OF MEXICO — WHAT HAPPENED TO FRAN- CISCO MADERO— THE DOWNFALL OF DIAZ — LANDING OF AMERICAN MA- RINES AT VERA CRUZ — STRENGTH OF THE AMERICAN AND MEXICAN ARMIES AND NAVIES — A CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE 129 CHAPTER XII THE READY RED CROSS THE RED CROSS AMONG THE FIRST ORGANIZATIONS TO BE READY — FORTY- FIVE HUNDRED TRAINED NURSES PREPARED TO SAIL AT ONCE — MABEL BOARDMAN'S INTERESTING STATEMENT — TAMPICO, THE PLAGUE SPOT OF MEXICO 161 CHAPTER XIII THE WOMEN OF MEXICO THE WOMEN OF MEXICO HOW CLASS LINES DIVIDE THEM — MEXICAN METHODS OF COURTSHIP — THE TRIAL MARRIAGE POPULAR AMONG THE PEONS — LOT OF MEXICAN WOMAN A HARD ONE — COOKING WITH CHAR- COAL BRAZIER — HOW WEALTHY WOMEN LIVE 167 CHAPTER XIV THE REAL CAUSES OF THE TROUBLE HUNGER FOR LAND AMONG THE COMMON PEOPLE THE REAL CAUSE OF REVO- LUTION — DIAZ DEADLY RULE OPENED MANY EYES — MADERO POSED AS FRIEND BUT BETRAYED HIS TRUST IN THE CRUCIAL MOMENT — COMMON MEXICAN NOW FIGHTING FOR A HOME FOR HIS CHILDREN 173 CHAPTER XV A FEW SIDELIGHTS ON ZAPATA SIDELIGHTS ON EMILIANO ZAPATA WHO HAS KEPT MEXICO GUESSING SINCE THE MADERO REVOLUTION SUCCEEDED — KNOWN AS THE ' ' BLOODY ATILLA OF THE SOUTH* ' — ZAPATISATS SUPPOSED TO HAVE TAKEN A PRICE TO LAY DOWN THEIR ARMS — THE LEADER CALLED A BRIGAND 181 22 CONTENTS CHAPTER XVI CARRANZA TURNS ABOUT GENERAL CARRANZA 'S EFFORTS TO BLOCK MEDIATION — UNITED STATES GOV- ERNMENT FINDS FORMER ADHERENT OF AMERICAN POLICY UNWILLING TO AGREE — VILLA'S STATEMENTS OF INTENT TO ADHERE TO AMERICAN PROGRAM DESPITE CARRANZA DOUBTED COMPLICATIONS THAT MADE THE MEDIATION PROGRAM A DIFFICULT ONE 187 CHAPTER XVII WHY MEXICANS DISLIKE AMERICANS THE INBORN HATRED FOR A " GRINGO* ' — WHY MEXICANS DISLIKE AMER- ICANS WE FEEL OURSELVES SUPERIOR AND SHOW IT THE MONROE DOCTRINE CONSIDERED ARROGANT — CALL US LAND PIRATES 209 CHAPTER XVIII EVENTS IN MEXICO STIRRING EVENTS SINCE THE RETIREMENT OF DIAZ — THE INSIDE STORY OF MADERO'S ASSASSINATION — SECRET OF HUERTA 'S POPULARITY WITH THE MASSES — CONSIDERED A BRAVE MAN PERSONALLY AND IDOLIZED BY THE MILITARY FORCES — RECENT HISTORY 213 CHAPTER XIX WONDERFUL FERTILITY OF LAND MARVELOUS AGRICULTURAL POSSIBILITIES — TWO CROPS A YEAR IN COAHUILA — BIG IRRIGATION PROJECTS HALTED BY THE REVOLUTION LAND DES- TINED TO BE ONE OF THE MOST PROSPEROUS AGRICULTURAL REGIONS IN THE WORLD 221 CHAPTER XX GOVERNMENT TACTICS CONDEMNED AMERICANS BARRICADED IN TAMPICO HOTEL BESIEGED ALL NIGHT — WOMEN AND CHILDREN MARCHED NEARLY NAKED THROUGH THE STREETS OF CORDOBA — BUSINESS MEN CARRIED OFF BY THE CONNECTICUT AGAINST THEIR PROTESTS AND THEIR AFFAIRS WRECKED 229 CHAPTER XXI BLOOD SACRIFICE AND CANNIBAL RITES AZTEC TEMPLES PILED WITH HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF SKULLS OF SACRIFICED VICTIMS MANY HIDEOUS PRACTICES DECLARED TO SURVIVE EVEN NOW AMONG THE IGNORANT PEOPLES OF THE INTERIOR 235 ' CONTENTS 23 CHAPTER XXII COMMODORE CONNER AT VERA CRUZ HOW AMERICAN MILITARY AND NAVAL FORCES REDUCED THE PORT IN 1847 — MORE DIFFICULT PROBLEMS THAN FACED THE 1914 EXPEDITION — TAMPICO CAPTURED WITHOUT DIFFICULTY — MEXICANS FOUGHT WELL. ..239 CHAPTER XXIII CAUSES OF TWO MEXICAN DISPUTES DEMOCRATIC ADMINISTRATIONS IN BOTH MOST RECENT MEXICAN TROUBLES — DEMOCRATS BEATEN AFTER THE LAST WAR THOUGH A VICTORIOUS CAMPAIGN WAS WAGED — PRESIDENT WILSON *S PEACE POLICY CON- SIDERS HISTORY 261 CHAPTER XXIV THE MEXICAN SECRET SERVICE ORGANIZATION FORMED BY PORFIRIO DIAZ PUT TO ALL SORTS OF USES AFTER THE DICTATOR'S RETIREMENT SPIES EVERYWHERE — MYSTERIOUS DIS- APPEARANCES COMMON — UNSAFE TO TALK WITH FREEDOM IN MEXICO CITY ABOUT THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION 271 CHAPTER XXV THE "TANGLEFOOT PLANT' > THE MAGUEY PLANT FROM WHICH PULQUE IS MADE GROWS WILD — CUL- TIVATION HAS IMPROVED THE GROWTH — MEXICANS CALL IT FOOD, DRINK, HOUSE AND CLOTHING 276 CHAPTER XXVI THE SALUTE TO THE FLAG FEW NATIONS HAVE EVER DEMANDED IT — COMPLIANCE CONSIDERED HIGHLY DEGRADING — WHY HUERTA DID NOT COMPLY 281 CHAPTER XXVII AMERICAN MARINES LEAD FIRST ASHORE WHEREVER DANGER IS — FIRST UNDER FIRE AT TIENTSIN, FIRST IN RELIEF OF PEKIN — A BRAVE CORPS 289 24 CONTENTS CHAPTER XXVIII MEXICANS A SAVAGE RACE MISTAKE TO REGARD COUNTRY AS LATIN — AVERAGE MEXICAN MERELY A MARAUDING INDIAN — MASSES DEGRADED FOR CENTURIES 296 CHAPTER XXIX VILLA CALLS MAAS TRAITOR HOW THE PLOT UNFOLDED — MAAS FINDS HIMSELF REBLUFFED BY VILLA — LATTER REFUSES TO FIGHT AMERICANS AT FORMER'S BIDDING 302 CHAPTER XXX VILLA'S VISION OF THE FUTURE WOULD ABOLISH ARMY — DO AWAY WITH GRAFT — GIVE EVERY MAN A CHANCE — MAKE MEXICO A POOR MAN 's COUNTRY 307 CHAPTER XXXI HOME FROM MEXICO REFUGEES TELL OF PERILS AND HARDSHIPS — JOHN I. NEWELL, A REFUGEE FROM TAMPICO, ARRIVES IN CHICAGO 315 CHAPTER I WATCHFUL WAITING ENDS THE UNITED STATES IS FORCED INTO A PRACTICAL STATE OF WAR WITH MEXICO — MEXICO CITY SHOUTS FOR WAR AS HUERTA, THE DICTATOR, REFUSES AMERICAN DEMANDS THAT HE SALUTE THE AMERICAN FLAG PRESIDENT THE Government of the United States made a prac- tical declaration of war against Mexico on April 20, 1914, when President Wilson, after patient effort to secure redress for gross insult to the American flag, went before Congress, assembled in joint session, asking approval for "use of the armed forces of the United States against General Victoriano Huerta and his adherents." That the United States desired to avoid war and hoped to obviate actual hostilities through presentation of a bold front to the truculent dictator at Mexico City, is gen- erally conceded, but in the subtle mind of Huerta the United States Government's demand upon him, with the alternative of war, was welcome indeed, since through this demand he hoped to slip out of the trap into which 25 26 WATCHFUL WAITING ENDS DEATH'S CAVALRYMAN — THE STATUE OF DEVASTATION FRE- QUENTLY MET WITH IN MEXICO. WATCHFUL WAITING ENDS 27 the rebel generals, Villa and Carranza, had forced him, by- uniting all Mexican factions against a common foe — the hated Gringo. EVENTS DEVELOPED RAPIDLY The rapid developments of the campaign which fol- lowed this Governments demand for a salute to the United States flag after insults to a boat's crew of the Dolphin, came rather as a surprise to the American Government, the members of which did not believe that actual war would follow acts of reprisal decided on by the administration. The calm message of the president read before the joint session of Congress on April 20, was, despite its pacific character, considered a declaration of war by several foreign ambassadors at Washington who noti- fied their governments forthwith of the imminence of hostilities. In Mexico City the intent of the United States to enforce respect for its flag and uniform was not regarded very seriously until landing parties of marines were under the custom house walls at Vera Cruz and rapid- fire guns of the Prairie were dropping shells ahead of advancing detachments. GENERAL CARRANZA *S TERSE DEMAND Within twenty-four hours of the landing of the first marine at Vera Cruz, so rapidly had events progressed, there remained no further doubt of the seriousness of the military and naval operations upon which the United States was embarked. A demand from General Car- ranza at the head of the Constitutionalist forces that 28 WATCHFUL WAITING ENDS the Americans evacuate Vera Cruz forthwith, brought the first shock of realization that what the United States might have to face was a coalition of all Mexican forces "NAIL MINE TO THE MAST." in the field, a combination of the fighting Kilkenny cats against the big good-natured bulldog from the other side of the fence. ne WATCHFUL WAITING ENDS 29 The optimism of President Wilson with regard to possible peaceful solution of the difficulties of the admin- istration with the disturbed country to the South, was persisted in even after war had generally been accepted as fact at home and abroad. The statement of the president to newspaper cor- respondents at the White House after his demand upon Congress for permission to use force if necessary, made it evident that, by using the big stick upon Victoriano Huerta, he hoped to gain the confidence and support of the Constitutionalists and the Mexican nation aside from the supporters of Huerta. Here is an interview President Wilson gave out on April 20, while the Atlantic squadron was already steam- ing at top speed for Vera Cruz : "I want to say to you gentlemen, do not get the impression that there is about to be war between this country and Mexico. That is not the outlook at present. In the first place, in no conceivable circumstances will we fight the people of Mexico. We are their friends and we want to help them in every way to recover their rights, their government and their laws, and for the present I am asking Congress to give me authority for dealing with a special situation. I am seeking the approval of Congress for my plan of dealing with that situation. "The issue exists only between this Government and a person calling himself the provisional president of Mexico, whose right to so designate himself we have never in any way recognized. 30 WATCHFUL WAITING ENDS "I have been filled with uneasiness at some signs that the country is becoming fired with enthusiasm for war. I have no enthusiasm for war. I have enthusiasm for justice and for the dignity of the United States, but not for war. And this situation need not eventuate into war if we handle it with firmness and promptitude. ' ' AMBASSADOES EEALIZE SITUATION The newspapers of Washington which were the first to appear containing President Wilson's speech to the Congress and his subsequent interview, above quoted, found ready readers among attaches of the foreign lega- tions. The German ambassador was declared to have cabled his government that the war with Mexico was a certainty and that "a modernized Abraham Lincoln" was in charge of the American forces. It is well to add here that throughout the difficult exchanges with Huerta, Villa, Carranza and other osten- sible Mexican authorities, which preceded President Wilson's benevolent "declaration of intent,' ' all foreign governments behaved with the most punctilious propriety under circumstances which might well have become strained, since British, German, Spanish and other nationals had suffered severely at the hands of irrespon- sible rebel leaders and pseudo authorities from one end of Mexico to the other, and only faith in the ultimate certainty of American intervention to restore order had restrained the governments of Europe from taking the law into their own hands. CHAPTER II HUERTA MUST BE HUMBLED IMPRESSIVE SCENE IN" CONGRESS WHEN PRESIDENT WILSON ASKS RIGHT TO ENFORCE WITH ARMS THE AMERICAN DEMANDS ON HUERTA — BRILLIANT CONCOURSE OF DIPLO- MATS IN FULL UNIFORM PRESENT — THE PRESIDENT^' SPEECH. NO such impressive scene has been witnessed in the Congress of the United States since war was declared against Spain, as was that presented when the schoolmaster president asked, in simple, plain language, the right to use armed force in securing redress for insult to the American flag. The diplomatic galleries were crowded with bril- liantly uniformed members of the diplomatic corps. Ambassadors Spring-Rice of Great Britain, Jusserand of France, and the representatives of other governments appeared in full uniform. Every seat in the foreign section was filled and the galleries were crowded. Mrs. Wilson, wife of the president, Mrs. Francis Bowes Sayre and Miss Margaret Wilson, represented the White House. There was death-like silence as the president advanced to ask authority for the use of force. Mr. Wilson's face was pale, his jaw set. He seemed to pre- 31 32 HUERTA MUST BE HUMBLED UNTIL WILSON KICKS OFF THE SLATS. HUERTA MUST BE HUMBLED 33 serve a calm demeanor only by the exercise of great effort. The president said: " Gentlemen of the Congress: It is my duty to call your attention to a situation which has arisen in our dealings with General Victoriano Huerta at Mexico City, which calls for action, and to ask your advice and co-operation in acting upon it. "On the 9th of April a paymaster of the U. S. S. Dolphin landed at the Iturbide bridge at Tampico, with a whaleboat and boat's crew to take off certain supplies needed by his ship, and, while engaged in loading the boat, was arrested by an officer and squad of men of the army of General Huerta. Neither the paymaster nor anyone of the boat 's crew was armed. "Two of the men were in the boat when the arrest took place and were obliged to leave it and submit to be taken into custody, notwithstanding the fact that the boat carried, both at her bow and at her stern, the flag of the United States. The pfficer who made the arrest was proceeding up one of the streets of the town with his prisoners when met by an officer of higher authority, who ordered him to return to the landing and await orders, and within an hour and a half from the time of the arrest, orders were received from the commander of the Huertista forces at Tampico for the release of the paymaster and his men. APOLOGIES SLOW IN COMING "The release was followed by apologies from the commander and later by an expression of regret by .General Huerta himself. General Huerta urged that 34 HUERTA MUST BE HUMBLED =Sr«« ft* **>/^"*/ •>--S/' |S " ,.■ * Ss**' GOING IT BLIND, IIUERTA MUST BE HUMBLED 35 martial law obtained at the time at Tampico ; that orders had been issued that no one should be allowed to land at the Iturbide bridge; and that our sailors had no right to land there. "Our naval commanders at the port had not been notified of any such prohibition, and, even if they had been, the only justifiable course open to the local author- ities would have been to request the paymaster and his crew to withdraw and to lodge a protest with the com- manding officer of the fleet. "Admiral Mayo regarded the arrest as so serious an affront that he was not satisfied with the apologies offered, but demanded that the flag of the United States be saluted with special ceremony by the military com- mander of the port. "The incident cannot be regarded as a trivial one, especially as two of the men arrested were taken from the boat itself — that is to say, from the territory of the United States ; but had it stood by itself, it might have been attributed to the ignorance or arrogance of a single officer. Unfortunately it was not an isolated case. MANY INSULTS OFFEEED "A series of incidents have recently occurred which cannot but create the impression that the representatives of General Huerta were willing to go out of their way to show disregard for the dignity and rights of this Government, and felt perfectly safe in doing what they pleased, making free to show in many ways their irrita- tion and contempt. THEY HATE AMEKICANS "A few days atter the incident at Tampico an orderly from the U. S. S. Minnesota was arrested at Vera Cruz 36 HUERTA MUST BE HUMBLED BRYAN (IX AXGUISHED SOXG) : "JIXGLE BELLS, JIXGLE BELLS, JINGLE ALL THE DAY." HUERTA MUST BE HUMBLED 37 while ashore in uniform to obtain the ship's mail, and was for a time thrown into jail. An official dispatch from this Government to its embassy at Mexico City was withheld by the authorities of the telegraphic service until peremptorily demanded by our charge d'affaires in person. So far as I can learn such wrongs and annoy- ances have been suffered only to occur against repre- sentatives of the United States. I have heard of no complaints from other governments of similar treatment. "Subsequent explanations and formal apologies did not and could not alter the popular impression, which it is possible it had been the object of the Huertista author- ities to create, that the Government of the United States was being singled out and might be singled out with impunity for slights and affronts in retaliation for its refusal to recognize the pretensions of General Huerta to be regarded as the constitutional provisional president of the Eepublic of Mexico. GOING FKOM BAD TO WOESE "The manifest danger of such a situation was that such offenses might grow from bad to worse until some- thing happened of so gross and intolerable a sort as to lead directly and inevitably to armed conflict. It was necessary that the apologies of General Huerta and his representatives should go much further, that they should be such as to attract the attention of the whole popula- tion of their significance, and such as to impress upon General Huerta himself the necessity of seeing to it that no further occasion for explanations and professed regrets should arise. "I, therefore, felt it my duty to sustain Admiral 38 HUERTA MUST BE HUMBLED 'GOSH! I HATE TO PUT MY FOOT IN THAT PUDDLE.' HUERTA MUST BE HUMBLED 39 Mayo in the whole of his demand and to insist that the flag of the United States should be saluted in such a way as to indicate a new spirit and attitude on the part of the Huertistas. HUEKTA REFUSES SALUTE "Such a salute General Huerta has refused, and I have come to ask your approval and support in the course I now purpose to pursue. "This Government can, I earnestly hope, in no cir- cumstances be forced into war with the people of Mexico. Mexico is torn by civil strife. If we are to accept the tests of its own constitution, it has no government. Gen- eral Huerta has set his power up in the City of Mexico, such as it is, without right and by methods for which there can be no justification. Only part of the country is under his control. OXLY AFTER HUERTA "If armed conflict should unhappily come as a result of his attitude of personal resentment toward this Gov- ernment, we should be fighting only General Huerta and those who adhere to him and give him their support, and our object would be only to restore to the people of the distracted republic the opportunity to set up again their own laws and their own government. 1 ' But I earnestly hope that war is not now in question. I believe that I speak for the American people when I say that we do not desire to control in any degree the affairs of our sister republic. Our feeling for the people of Mexico is one of deep and genuine friendship, and everything that we have so far done or refrained from 40 HUERTA MUST BE HUMBLED doing has proceeded from our desire to help them, not to hinder or embarrass them. We would not wish even to exercise the good offices of friendship without their welcome and consent. NO WAR AGAINST MEXICANS "The people of Mexico are entitled to settle their own domestic affairs in their own way, and we sincerely desire to respect their right. The present situation need have none of the grave complications of interference if we deal with it promptly, firmly and wisely. "No doubt I could do what is necessary in the cir- cumstances to enforce respect for our Government with- out recourse to the Congress, and yet not exceed my constitutional powers as president ; but I do not wish to act in a matter possibly of so grave consequences except in close conference and co-operation with both the Senate and House. 1 ' I, therefore, come to ask your approval that I should use the armed forces of the United States in such ways and to such an extent as may be necessary to obtain from General Huerta and his adherents the fullest recognition of the rights and dignity of the United States, even amidst the distressing conditions now unhappily obtain- ing in Mexico. "There can, in what we do, be no thought of aggres- sion or of selfish aggrandizement. "We seek to maintain the dignity and authority of the United States only because we wish always to keep our great influence impaired for the uses of liberty, both in the United States and wherever else it may be employed for the benefit of mankind." CHAPTER III THE WAR LORDS CONFER THE AMERICAN" MAN" IN THE STREET TIRED OF HUERTA'S TRUCULENT TALK BECAME ENTHUSIASTIC FOR WAR — GEN- ERAL BELIEF THAT HUERTA, CARRANZA AND VILLA RE- QUIRED A DOSE OF THE SCHOOLMASTER^ BIG STICK O'SHAUGHNESSY HANDED HIS PASSPORTS. WAR! Disguise our feelings as we may beneath the veneer of an ultra modern civilization there is a tremendous thrill in the very word war. Average citizens of the United States, while approv- ing the extreme patience and indifference to jingo clamor which characterized President Wilson's dealings with the socalled leaders in Mexican affairs, nevertheless hoped that some means would be found to punish the insolence of Victoriano Huerta, the arrogance of "Pan- els" Villa, and the grinning complacence of the rebel commander, Carranza. AMERICANS TIRED OF INSULTS Huerta 's devious methods in dealing with problems arising out of the American Government's refusal to recognize his dictatorship, Villa's insolent retorts to demands of the United States in the Benton case, and 41 42 THE WAR LORDS CONFER WHY PRESIDENT WILSON WILL NOT RECOGNIZE HTTERTA OR ANY OTHER DEATH'S HEAD PRESIDENT. THE WAR LORDS CONFER 43 Carranza's complication of affairs by a belated assump- tion of authority over Villa's acts, exasperated the American man in the street, though officials of the United States Government maintained the same calm, patient front that had come to be viewed by red-blooded citizens of the Northern Eepublic with something akin to exasperation. The firing of the first gun at Vera Cruz by the first marine ashore, and the subsequent death of that marine at the hands of snipers, sent a quiver through the American nation from Maine to California. The guns of the Prairie reverberated not only across this continent but around the world as well. In New York city the news that resistence had been offered to American arms set crowds of men and women singing war songs in the restaurants along Broadway. In Chicago the same scenes were enacted. The Tango gave way to the patriotic song and " Dixie' ' by acclamation succeeded the ' ' Tres Moutarde ' ' of idler moments. THE RISING SPIRIT OF WAR In every city, in every village, in every hamlet throughout the length and breadth of the land there were signs of the rising spirit of war, which President Wilson and his cabinet had so long hesitated to arouse. The National Guard organizations, far more efficient than jingo editors had given them credit for being, worked without orders to bring their units to the point of immediate effectiveness in anticipation of the call for reinforcements which everybody felt was sure to come. On the morning of April 23, three days after Presi- dent Wilson's pacific utterances about the military move- 44 THE WAR LORDS CONFER S* MM" UNCLE SAM: "OH, TUT! I WONDER IF I'D BETTER SHOW THAT DINGO HOW TO SHOOT." THE WAR LORDS CONFER 45 ment of his government against Huerta, a member of the cabinet admitted unofficially that the United States might have to fight both Huerta and the rebels. A CABINET MINISTEK TALKS These words were attributed to the cabinet minister : " Coincident with the demand of General Carranza that the United States evacuate Vera Cruz, General Huerta has severed diplomatic relations with the United States. Nelson O'Shaughnessy, American charge d'affaires at Mexico City, has been handed his passports. Senor Aigara, the Mexican charge d'affaires, will leave Washington today. These facts spell war." Simultaneously the navy department gave out the following official information: 1 ' Twelve American sailors and marines have been killed and fifty wounded in the operations against Vera Cruz up to noon today." huekta's tkuculent talk On the same day Victoriano Huerta, the dictator, displayed his genius for seizing opportunity, when he issued this statement to the press of Mexico City : "Mexico is defending not only her national sov- ereignty, but that of all Latin America as well. This is not a war between the American and Mexican peoples, but between Mexico and the Government of the United States, which is controlled by men who have forced this situation upon us in spite of our efforts to the contrary. We shall have 400,000 men in the field in twenty days. "In the port of Vera Cruz we are defending with GUILTY! STEEL ARMORED CARS GOOD COVER. A GUN CAPTURED IN JUAREZ. PREPARING FOR TROUBLE— FORT BLISS. WHAT AN ARMORED CAR LOOKS LIKE. EXECUTION— HIS BACK TO Till- 'DOBE. ,,.:*«*. oan ARMORED CAR USED BY MADERO'S FORCES. WHERE RUINS STALK— CITY OF MEXICO. AFTER MADERO— ARTILLERY LEAVING CIUDADELA. Photograph, Underwood and Underwood A GKOUP OF CONSTITUTIONALIST OFFICEKS. Copyrighted by Underwood and l mlenvood ZAPOTEU WOMEN AT HOME— FAMED FOR THEIE BEAUTY. Copyrighted by Underwood and Underwood IN THE PEANUT MARKET AT OMEALCO. Copyrighted by Underwood and Underwood VIEW OF JALAPA— THE CAPITAL OF VERA CRUZ. Copyrighted by Underwood and Underwoou THE MUNICIPAL WASHHOUSE AT JALAPA. Copyrig rwood and Underwood MAGUEY FIBRE WEAVERS AT MONTEREY. Copyrighted by Underwood and Underwood SELLING CHILIS (EED PEPPERS) IN THE MARKET PLACE. Copyrighted by Underwood and Underwood TAPPING RUBBER— THE. ISTHMUS OF TEHUANTEPEC. Copyrighted by Underwood and Underwood THE INDIAN MARKET AT AMECAMECA. i ■ ' ';* W*$ V ; . '-A -' '......'■■■■ > r 1 . <* '. r 1 fiB 4ii <= •; ; * fllpw. Copyrighted by Underwood and Underwood CUTTING SUGAR CANE— ISTHMUS OF TEHUANTEPEC. CHAPTER IV MEN WHO COMMAND OUR FORCES AMERICAN" MILITARY AND NAVAL AFFAIRS IN COMPETENT HANDS REAR ADMIRAL BADGER COMMANDED THE CINCIN- NATI IN THE SPANISH WAR GEN. LEONARD WOOD HAS SEEN SERVICE, TOO MEXICAN FEELING AGAINST AMERI- CANS DUE IN PART TO WAR OF 1848 JEALOUSY OF AMERICAN PROGRESS. SO FAR as the first movement against Mexican dis- orderly elements is concerned, the interests of the United States were in competent hands. There were few men in the American navy who had seen more sea duty than Rear Admiral Charles Johnston Badger, in command of the Atlantic squadron off Tam- pico. He was "born to the navy" his friends say, for his father was an admiral before him, and was in com- mand of the Boston Navy Yard for many years. Admiral Badger went twice to China, once in his mid- shipman days and later as executive officer of a battle- ship. Several years ago, when the president sent a fleet to pay a social visit to the great powers of Europe, Admiral Badger was in command of the squadron. He was appointed to Annapolis in 1869 by President Grant and graduated in the class of 1873. He entered the navy as midshipman under most auspicious circum- stances, for his first duty was a cruise through the 65 66 MEN WHO COMMAND OUR FORCES islands of the North Pacific Ocean on board the Narra- ganset, commanded by the hero of Manila Bay, Admiral Dewey. BADGER FALLS IN LOVE After three years of sea duty he was, under the regu- lations, entitled to a turn on land, but the inherited love of the sea asserted itself and instead of taking his turn at shore duty, which most of the modern young naval officers look forward to as the bright spot in an other- wise desolate life, he applied for a ship and was sent on a long cruise to China. By the time that cruise was ended, young Badger had begun to attract the attention of the powers in Washington. He was ordered to report to Captain (afterwards Admiral) Schley, for hazardous duty. Captain Schley had been delegated to take a cruiser up into the polar regions, and to bring back Greeley's party, and he chose young Badger as his aide. It was an eventful and a successful trip, fraught with much hard- ship. The records tell strange tales of the dangers encountered and Badger's name is frequently mentioned. Then came a period of rest and shore duty. This time Badger did not object. He still loved the sea, but he loved a girl also, and it is no nice thing for a young bridegroom to be parted from his bride and to be ordered off for a long cruise. After about a year and a half the call of the sea once more rang in his ears and he again applied for a ship and this time he was ordered aboard the Brooklyn as executive officer for a cruise to China and other far eastern countries. MEN WHO COMMAND OUR FORCES 67 BOTH CARRION NO MATTER WHAT THEY CALL THEMSELVES. 68 MEN WHO COMMAND OUR FORCES MADE COMMANDEB OF THE DOLPHIN He returned to America just about the time the Dolphin was purchased for use as the president's yacht, and Badger, who was then a commander, was designated by the president first to serve as executive officer and later as commander of the yacht. In those days the president's yacht was often in use on actual sea duty in connection with the Atlantic fleet. Badger commanded the Dolphin for several years and then was sent to Annapolis, first as superintendent, and later as commandant. Again the sea called, and Commander Badger asked to be given a ship and was placed in command of one of the new battleships then attached to the Atlantic squadron. Then came the Spanish war, and not to have seen active service where the fighting was going on would have broken his heart, his friends say. He was placed in command of the Cincinnati, and served under Admirals Schley and Sampson off the coast of Cuba during the whole of that war, and again the records of the navy department make frequent mention of his bravery and tact. After his return from the European trip he com- manded the battleship Kansas in the Atlantic fleet, and in 1911 he was promoted to the rank of rear admiral and placed in command of the second division of the Atlantic fleet, succeeding Admiral Osterhouse, retired, and his flagship now is the Minnesota. Gen. Leonard Wood was the man first mentioned to .lead the United States army into Mexico. If it came to a question of policing, which many MEN WHO COMMAND OUR FORCES 69 experts believed would be the hardest part of the work in case the United States undertook to pacify Mexico, Gen- eral Wood was thought the man for the job. He knows guerilla fighting and how to deal with the irregulars who were expected to harass American detachments after the big engagements of the war. WOOD KNOWS THE GAME Hunting down murderous guerillas in a wild country may be far more dangerous than a pitched battle. Heroism may be displayed that requires more real grit than the excitement inspired heroism of the regiment which charges a bullet swept hill. But display type is not so often devoted to such a display. HAD BEEN BITTERLY ATTACKED No officer of our army, with the possible exception of Grant, was ever the subject of such bitter attacks and such unstinted praise, as General Wood. His enemies charged that while he was in Cuba he gave orders to the courts, that he received presents worth thousands of dollars from a gambling syndicate and that in return he gave them exclusive privileges. On the other hand, his friends draw a far different picture of him. One of them said of him: "I know that General Wood was over three thousand dollars loser on his private account in the endeavor to maintain the dignity of his position as governor of Cuba. He had the absolute disbursement of the insular fund, over thirteen million dollars a year, but he left Cuba with nothing except the remnant of his depleted savings from his pay — clean." 70 MEN WHO COMMAND OUR FORCES SON OF A COUNTRY DOCTOR General Wood was born in Winchester, in rugged New Hampshire, October 9, 1860. His father was a country doctor who fought in the Civil war and was a direct descendant of Peregrine White, the first colonial Puritan born on American soil, and of General Nixon, who fought at Lexington, Bunker Hill and Saratoga. He went to the academy in a nearby town, and after- ward to Harvard Medical School. Wood's first post after passing the examination for army surgeon was at Fort Huachuca, Arizona. He had taken this assignment because it was the only one at that time (1886) where there seemed to be any chance of fighting. Geronimo and his band of Apaches were then on the rampage, making good the reputation of that tribe by killing some eight hundred victims. General Miles and Captain Lawton — later General Lawton — were out in the desert to stamp out the rebellion. A dramatic chase ensued. Over about two thousand miles of the worst country in the United States, of shel- terless, sun baked desert, of wild mountains, and buttes, they followed the fleeing marauders. Geronimo surren- dered on September 4, after they had followed him for four months, with but four days' rest. Wood next commanded an expedition to capture some Indians who had escaped, covering 2,000 miles through the same country in this chase. His next duty was against "Apache Kid," in 1887- '88. MARRIED IN 1880 BETWEEN EIGHTS In 1880 he married Miss Louise A. Condit Smith of Washington. In 1891 he was promoted to captain and MEN WHO COMMAND OUR FORCES 71 assistant surgeon and on May 8, 1898, he was appointed colonel of the First Cavalry, United States Volunteers, which you will recognize easier as the Eough Eiders. "I formed the acquaintance of Mr. Eoosevelt in 1896,' ' said General "Wood in speaking of the organiza- tion of the Eough Eiders. "We were guests at a dinner and walked home together. We found we had many interests in common. "At the outbreak of the Spanish war a suggestion was made for mounted riflemen. Secretary Alger prom- ised me the command of one of the southwestern regi- ments of mounted riflemen and I think he offered another one to Mr. Eoosevelt, who promptly said he would go along with me as lieutenant colonel. ' ' COMMANDED THE EOUGH KIDEKS The career of the Eough Eiders is too recent history to need retelling. On December 7, 1898, Wood was appointed major general, U. S. Volunteers. In 1899 fever broke out in Santiago, and General Wood was sent from the United States to stamp it out, which he did in less than thirty days. Elihu Eoot appointed General Wood military gov- ernor of Cuba, and the latter thereupon started what was probably the greatest job of housecleaning in the history of the world. He took a decidedly besmeared "Pearl of the Antilles' * and soaped it until it was brilliantly clean. In 1901 General Wood was appointed a brigadier gen- eral in the regular army. As governor of the Moro province in the Philippines, General Wood taught half a million heathen pirates, slave dealers and head hunters that American laws are not to be trifled with. 72 MEN WHO COMMAND OUR FORCES In 1903 he was appointed major general, U. S. A., and from 1906 to 1908 he commanded the entire Philip- pine division, with its 18,000 troops. After that he was commander of the department of the east, with head- quarters in New York, then chief of staff of the army, finally being succeeded by General Wotherspoon, as he was considered too valuable a man to keep in Washington. CHAPTER V VILLA'S PROTEST ATIONS OF GOOD WILL IN" A CONFEBENCE AT JTJAKEZ WITH SPECIAL AGENT CAEOTHEKS, VILLA PKOCLAIMED FEIENDSHIP FOR THE UNITED STATES CALLED HUEETA AN OLD DEUNKAED DECLAEE EFFOETS TO EMBEOIL NOETHEEN MEXICO DUE TO CAPITALISTIC INFLU- ENCES EMBEACE AMEEICAN EEPEESENTATIVE. AFTER General Carranza's rather truculent mes- sage to President Wilson, in which he demanded that the American forces evacuate Vera Cruz, forthwith, and President Wilson's refusal to accede to the demand, an effort was made to patch up a peace between the United States Government and the Consti- tutionalist forces by sending "Pancho" Villa to Juarez from Chihuahua to meet George C. Carothers, special agent of the state department at Washington. Mr. Carothers went from El Paso to meet the rebel chief. Villa arrived in Juarez April 23d, without an escort, despite rumors that he had a following of five trains loaded with troops and that he intended to capture and sack El Paso. VILLA EFFUSIVELY FEIENDLY But there was nothing truculent in the attitude of Villa when he greeted the United States representative 73 74 VILLA'S PROTESTATIONS OF GOOD WILL in the presence of newspaper correspondents by putting his arm around Carother's shoulders in token of amity. Villa addressed himself to Mr. Carothers and to the newspaper men when he said, speaking for the Consti- tutionalists : WANTS NO WAE WITH UNITED STATES "We do not want war with the United States or with any other foreign nation, but particularly do we wish to be at peace with your country. "Mexico has troubles of her own and Mexico can settle her own troubles if given a little more time for the task. Personally I believe that the troubles of this nation are now on the eve of settlement. I came to Juarez for the purpose of meeting my good American friends; to extend to them the hand of fellowship and to thank them for the great interest they have taken in the efforts of the Constitutionalists to restore peace in my unhappy country. "I do not want war with the United States, and I am sure the Government and people of the United States do not wish to war upon the Constitutionalists. We have always been good friends, haven't we! You may rest assured I shall do all within my power to avoid any change in our relationship. CALLS HUEETA DKUNKEN ASS "Why," and the rebel chief smiled broadly as he threw an arm about the shoulder of Carothers, "all Europe would laugh at us if we went to war with you. The other countries would say — 'Ha! that drunken little Huerta has drawn them into a tangle at last.' "Why does the United States want to pay any atten- tion to that drunken old ass, Huerta, anyway V 9 VILLA'S PROTESTATIONS OF GOOD WILL THE AMERICAN" CITIZEN IN MEXICO: WHY, HE PREFERS ARMED SOLDIERS TO WORDY EXCHANGES. 76 VILLA'S PROTESTATIONS OF GOOD WILL Villa declared that lie was not consulted in the draft- ing of the Carranza note demanding evacuation of Vera INVALIDED HOME. Cruz. The message referred to, Villa declared, was written with the brain of a Saxon and the soul of a Latin. When pushed for an opinion as to president's answer to the Carranza note, Villa refused to comment. VILLA'S PROTESTATIONS OF GOOD WILL 77 Villa, while guarded in his statements, made evident a belief that the trouble the United States was having with Huerta had been precipitated through artful scheming by American special interests, but that the plans of the schemers had gone wrong, since they had hoped for a declaration of war against the entire Mexi- can people, Constitutionalists ' forces especially, and had no sympathy with President Wilson's declaration that he had no quarrel with the Constitutionalists. BLAMES CAPITALIST INFLUENCES Villa added: "The fact is that war spirit and action is being fos- tered by those interests in Northern Mexico which have suffered to some extent because of the revolution. They are bitterly disappointed that the animus of the Ameri- can campaign is plainly directed against Huerta alone. "You will observe that there is clamor in certain newspapers of your country against the idea that an American flag once raised in Mexico can ever be pulled down. These people are trying to make out that if the United States achieves its object in punishing Huerta 's insolence, it cannot retreat from the territory of Mexico, but must forever remain there. As a matter of fact, there is no reason why the United States having fulfilled its mission, which is, I understand, to secure redress for an insult to the American flag, cannot withdraw its troops and sailors and leave Mexico to settle her own affairs, which she is quite capable of doing. I do not believe that the effort to embroil Northern Mexico will succeed.' ' WHAT WAS HIS MISSION? The actual purpose of Villa's sudden trip to Juarez became at once a matter of wide speculation in Govern- 78 VILLA'S PROTESTATIONS OF GOOD WILL mental as well as in army circles. It was considered entirely unlikely that the journey from Chihuahua had been undertaken, as Villa said, for the sole purpose of conveying in person his good wishes to the American people. It was broadly hinted that the real purpose was to prepare the way by personal instruction to certain of his lieutenants in Juarez for the possible eventuality of an attack on El Paso. For this reason Villa was watched closely by Ameri- can secret service men during the entire time that he remained in Juarez and every audience he gave was known. The statements of Villa with regard to efforts of capi- talists in Northern Mexico to drag the United States into a campaign of conquest there, were echoed by certain statesmen in Washington, who were most fervent in their support of President Wilson's determination to confine the issue to Huertag,nd his machinations against America and Americans. CHAPTER VI THE LIFE STORY OF VILLA CALLED BY HIS ENEMIES A BLOODTHIRSTY BANDIT — FRIENDS INSIST HE IS A MODERN ROBIN HOOD, FORCED INTO OUT- LAWRY — A PRICE ON HIS HEAD SET BY DIAZ — KILLED HIS SISTER *S BETRAYER AND WAS COMPELLED TO TAKE TO HILLS AS A RESULT HOW HE SECURED MILITARY RECOG- NITION. "T^ANCHO" VILLA, according to his enemies, the most bloodthirsty, revengeful and barbarian chieftain imaginable, "half Indian and half beast," a creature to be viewed only with detestation and repulsion, is a remarkable character. To his friends, however, he is a man driven to a Robin Hood life by a regime of tyranny, forced to wild acts of outlawry in self-preservation, a being at heart most gentle and humane, and become by the strange vicissitudes of Mexico the victorious general who may in a month or two march into Mexico City, triumphant, at the head of his unkempt troops. COMES OF GOOD FAMILY All accounts of Villa start with his first slaying. Before that he is only known as a six foot scion of one of the best families in Northern Mexico, proud, haughty, athletic, a dead shot, and a born leader. 79 80 THE LIFE STORY OF VILLA He was left the guardian of his sister, a dark-eyed beauty, on the death of his father. A jefe politico, or high sheriff, who lived near the Villa ranch, eloped with the girl who had been left in Pancho 's care. There was no marriage, whether by the girl's acquiescence or not, history is silent. But Pancho decided the stain on the 'scutcheon could only be removed by the death of the sheriff. Mounting his swiftest horse, he galloped after the elopers, caught them and arranged their marriage. Then he forced his brother-in-law to sign his own death war- rant, dig his own grave and lie down on the mound at the side of it. He deliberately shot the bridegroom and rolled the body into the pit, which he then filled with earth. What the sister was doing during these pro- ceedings is not chronicled. DIAZ SETS PRICE ON HIS HEAL The father of the dead sheriff rode out to the Villa ranch and was shot as he knocked at the door. Then Pancho fled into the hills and a price was placed upon his head by Porfirio Diaz. That's the way the story is usually told. But others say there was one day a row in an adobe hut patronized by the gamblers of Chihuahua, and an army officer was shot dead. The assailant escaped to the hills and became " Pancho the Bandit," the terror of Northern Mexico. All through his life this double version runs. Eecently there came a story of his capturing a woman and marrying her by force. Then, it was related, she fell in love with her savage husband and was content to follow him in his campaigns. This tale may be true — THE LIFE STORY OF VILLA 81 VILLA: "HONOR WHERE HONOR IS DUE.' 82 THE LIFE STORY OF VILLA and then again it may not be true, as others say, that he is most faithful to the girl of the people he married in San Andreas four years ago. HOW VILLA BECAME A BANDIT To lead up to this earlier and more authenticated marriage it is necessary to go back a bit. When he fled after his first slaying he gathered about himself a body of wild men of the mountains, outlaws like himself. Far and wide he pillaged the estates of the Diaz adherents. Some say he exercised little discrimination in his takings. At any rate, by 1910 he had gained the dignity of head of an irregular army, with which he marched from his mountain principality to San Andreas, about thirty-five miles west of the City of Chihuahua. There he made his headquarters and married. He provided tutors for his girl wife so that she might gain the schooling of which she had been deprived. He himself took advantage of the opportunity to study and, among other things, is said to have at this time gained his fair knowledge of English. This agrees with the picture of the Villa who recently was much impressed by the lessons in international law he chanced to receive arid who announced he would imme- diately substitute these principles for his former less merciful code. EEABED IN MEXICO CITY But those who see the darker side say that Huerta is a saint compared to Villa and that every decent-minded citizen in Mexico shudders at the thought of the outlaw of the Chihuahua mountains in the National Palace of Mexico City. THE LIFE STORY OF VILLA 83 mm . DREAMING OF HOME. 84 THE LIFE STORY OF VILLA Madero commissioned the bandit a colonel, and thus made it possible for Villa to enter Chihuahua, which he had left a murderer ten years ago, as a conqueror. Villa's fierce nature and his wild jealousy made him a difficult man for Madero to handle. His two rivals were Pascual Orozco and Garibaldi, the grandson of the Italian liberator. In the battles near Ahumada and Casas Grandes, engagements which were to complete the triumph of Madero, "Pancho the Tiger," as they then called Villa, fought like the beast whose name had been given to him. He was inspired by desire for vengeance against Diaz, declare some, not by love of country or his fellow man. "Who can say? IS A SAVAGE ENEMY In the capture of Juarez by Madero, Villa did most of the fighting and the other two lieutenants got most of the credit in the newspapers. That is the way Villa is said to have figured. He came over to El Paso to kill Garibaldi on American soil one Sunday afternoon. There are different versions of what happened — but the truth seems to be that the United States army officers saved the young Italian from his savage enemy. During most of the Madero regime, Pancho led an existence so peaceful it must have seemed strange to him. Then ^ve or six months later he began to loom large again. He was now no longer the bandit, he was ' ' Gen- eral Villa," at the head of several thousand men, cap- turing city after city, wresting from the merchants and mine owners millions of dollars and winning battles by the very terror of his name. THE LIFE STORY OF VILLA 85 THE SECOND CAPTURE OF JUAREZ His greatest feat was his second capture of the City of Juarez. Betreating northward from Torreon, hemmed between two forces of Federals, he met and cap- tured a southbound Federal troop train. Almost instantly he had seized the nearest telegraph station and sent a message back to Juarez, from which the train had come, signed with the name of the Federal officers in charge of the train. The Federal officer (per Villa) reported his way barred by rebels and declared he must hurry back to Juarez. Then Villa loaded 1,500 troops on the train and started for Juarez. The train would stop a little way from each station and a picked squad would go forward and seize the telegraph operators. In this way he proceeded all the way to Juarez undetected, ran into the middle of the city in the night, and put the Federals to flight by surprise. WAY ELECTIONS HAVE BEEN RUN IN MEXICO. CHAPTER VII GENERAL VENUSTIANO CARRANZA ONE OF THE MOST VIGOKOUS OPPONENTS OF DIAZ AND A STERN FIGHTER FOR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS A STERN, UNCOM- PROMISING SPANISH GENTLEMAN WHO CALLS HUERTA A MURDERER AND DECLARES HE WILL NEVER REST UNTIL THE DICTATOR HAS BEEN DRIVEN FROM MEXICO OR KILLED. GENERAL VENUSTIANO CARRANZA, leader of the Constitutionalists, was the first governor to bid defiance to Huerta and start the armed revolt that quickly spread throughout Northern Mexico against the regime of Gen. Victoriano Huerta. Carranza was born in the town of Cuatro Cienegas, state of Coahuila, of one of the old families that boast pure Spanish descent. The Carranzas have been exten- sive landowners for generations, and Don Venustiano was given the education of a gentleman in the schools of Northern Mexico. He raised cattle and wheat and, after the discovery that rubber could be extracted from the wild guayule shrub, he has been also a rubber producer. His personal fortune was once estimated at a million pesos — in United States money five hundred thousand dollars. UNDERTOOK TO SMASH DIAZ Carranza went to Mexico City as senator from Coahuila and remained there ten or fifteen years despite 87 88 GENERAL VENUSTIANO CARRANZA his independence of the Diaz political machine. Instead of becoming subservient, Senator Carranza undertook to smash the Diaz ring. Carranza ran for the governor- ship himself against the Diaz-Beyes candidate. It was this campaign of Carranza 's which first enlisted Francisco I Madero in active politics. Madero made speeches for Carranza and contributed to his expenses, only to see Carranza meet the fate of all oppo- sition candidates under the Diaz system — he was counted out. The young, idealistic Madero, seeing how the system operated, plunged then heart and head into the campaign for electoral reform, which led to the revolu- tion against Diaz. Francisco I Madero said, just after the success of his revolution, that to the example of Car- ranza, and to his ideals in politics, he owed the inspira- tion that led him into taking up the sword against the dictator, Diaz. CARRANZA A TOTAL ABSTAINER Carranza himself is a stern, uncompromising Spanish gentleman, with the simple habits of the plainsman; a total abstainer from liquor and tobacco, and a disciplina- rian in big as well as in these little things. His tall, wiry figure — he is more than six feet high — is set up like a soldier's, and a long, gray beard below his smooth-shaven, sun-burned cheeks accentuates the dominating, patriarchal type of man that he is. A good idea of the man and his aims is obtained from an interview which the correspondent of the London Times had with him in the field, before the elections of October 26th. In this interview he said : GENERAL VENUSTIANO CARRANZA 89 IS CHIEF OF REVOLUTION u Iam the only leader recognized as supreme by all the chiefs of the revolution. What we fight for is the Constitution of our country and the development of our people. Huerta outraged the Constitution when he over- threw and murdered President Madero. He continues to outrage it by attempting to govern despotically as Diaz did, and refusing to administer fairly the laws, which are equal for all. This revolution cannot cease until either we, the Constitutionalists, triumph, or until Huerta triumphs completely over us. Even in the latter case it would only cease for the moment, for the revolu- tion has its roots in social causes. "The land, which was formerly divided among the mass of the people, has been seized by a few. The owners of it compel those who are working for them to buy the necessities of life from them alone. They lay a burden of debt upon the poor people and make them virtually slaves, for so long as the poor people owe them money they cannot go away. If they try to go away, they can be brought back. They can be put in prison. » GROWTH OF A MIDDLE CLASS "Another contributing cause of the revolution is the growth of a middle class. Formerly there were only the rich and the poor. Now there is a class in between which does not like to see the poor oppressed, which knows what democracy and social reform mean in other coun- tries, and which is resolved to take successive steps for- ward to complete self-government. "The first necessity is the fair and free election of a 90 GENERAL YENUSTIANO CARRANZA president. In the disturbed state of the country, how- ever, it is of course impossible to hold a proper election. Large numbers of voters would never hear of it if such an election were attempted. The Constitutionalists refuse to recognize any president who may be w returned as the result of any election which is held under circum- stances at all open to suspicion of fraud. It is the announced intention to execute all persons who are found guilty of either assisting in fraudulent election efforts or attempts to recognize any fraudulently elected presi- dent." SHOCKED THE CORRESPONDENT The correspondent, in writing his impressions, said: ' ' To hear this amiable, scholarly old gentleman define so bloodthirsty a policy and, what appeared to me, so unreasonable a line of action, made me feel as though I were dreaming. It threw a strange light on Carranza's professed belief in democracy. Yet I have no doubt that he sincerely believes himself a subscriber to that creed. But the discrepancy between his professions and his policy shows how far the mentality of Mexico is distant from that of Europe and the United States." CHAPTER VIII THE WAR OF 1848 SOMETHING OF PAST CAMPAIGNS IN MEXICO THE TWO YEARS ' WAR OF 1848 WHICH GAVE TO THE UNITED STATES CALI-i FORNIA, NEVADA, UTAH, ARIZONA AND PARTS OF NEW MEXICO AND COLORADO THE FRENCH OCCUPATION AND THE MONROE DOCTRINE — HOW CORTEZ ORIGINALLY CON- QUERED THE COUNTRY. THERE is no disputing the fact that the present Mexican imbroglio, in so far as its relation to the United States is concerned, grows naturally out of the progress of the latter country and the retrogres- sion of the former. Dispute over the Texas boundary line plunged the United States and Mexico into the two years' war of 1848, which took from Mexico and gave to the United States the state of California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona and parts of New Mexico and Colorado. It also settled absolutely the ultimate annexation of Texas to the Union. The fall of Chapultepec ended this war. The United States was so near war with Mexico in 1866 that Gen. Phil Sheridan was ordered from Wash- ington on the eve of the grand review of Civil war vet- erans, and 50,000 men under him were concentrated on the Mexican border. 91 92 THE WAR OF 1848 OBEY ORDERS WKEEPYER GUN CLEAN SONNY ! ! BOIiVOUR DRINKING WATER AND SHOOT LOW. MY BOY!! «» & THREE GENERATIONS. THE AVAR OF 1848 93 FRENCH OCCUPATION CAUSED TROUBLE The occupation of Mexico by the French in violation of the Monroe doctrine and the efforts of Napoleon III to establish a throne in Mexico City, were circumstances that brought Sheridan and his men to the Mexican bor- der before the Union army had been formally disbanded. Appearance of the United States troops caused Napoleon to withdraw his support from Maximilian. The French troops evacuated Mexico and the clouds cleared away. Maximilian was executed by Mexican republicans May 14, 1867. Empress Carlotta, his wife, is hopelessly insane in a Belgian hospital. The situation is plain to minds gifted with logic that Nature will not tolerate conditions such as has existed on the Mexican side of the boundary line when the develop- ment of exactly similar territory under another flag and a superior civilization has proved the artificiality of Mexican troubles. MEXICANS ARE ENSLAVED One side of the Eio Grande offered peace and pros- perity. The other meant an enslaved existence which had failed to commend itself even to the ignorant Mexican farm laborer. For many years the present interference of the United States to save the Mexican from himself had been regarded as certain. James Bryce, British ambassador to the United States preceding the present incumbent, commented on the ultimate destiny of Mexico, in one of his books on the American people, as an integral part of the American Union. The idea of conquest is repulsive to the American •94 THE WAR OF 1848 mind. It was the belief of the average American that the United States had foreign problems enough on its hands in Cuba, Puerto Rico and the Philippines, and that to add to the complications already existing through Japan's attitude on the issue of land ownership in Cali- fornia, was merely courting disaster. At the same time it was the determination of the man in the street to support those in authority for him in whatever undertaking they might believe necessary to the honor and well-being of the country. The investment of Vera Cruz by the American forces under Admiral Badger gave new interest to the story of the investment by Cortez and subsequent subjugation of Mexico by the Spaniards under his command. THE ORIGINAL CONQUEROR Fernando Cortez, the original conqueror of Mexico, was born in Medillin, Spain, in 1485, and he died on December 2, 1547. He was educated for the law, but dis- dained its practice and early in life entered the military service of his country. At the age of nineteen he went on a journey to San Domingo, and there joined Velasquez, with whom he won distinguished honors in the expedition against Cuba. Velasquez was governor of Cuba and he intrusted the conquest of Mexico to Cortez in 1518. Soon afterwards Velasquez sought to revoke this commission, fearing, it is said, the bravery and ability of the young warrior. THE BATTLE OF TABASCO Cortez, however, retained his command and pushed the enterprise against Mexico, against the wishes of THE WAR OF 1848 95 Velasquez. He started with eighteen horses, ten cannon, seven hundred Spaniards and eleven vessels, to bring about the subjugation of the country. Soon after land- ing he fought the battle of Tabasco and captured Donna Marina, who became his interpreter with the Mexicans. Those of the Cortez army who were friendly to Velasquez wanted to turn back, but he won the leaders by promising them success for their efforts. He burned his ships in order that the others might be induced to fight with greater bravery since no retreat was possible. Cortez founded Vera Cruz, where the first gun of the 1914 invasion was fired, and then marched to Tlascala, which he conquered. Taking several thousand Tlacalans as allies he started for the City of Mexico, reaching the capital on November 8, 1519. At that time Mexico City had a population of 300,000 people and had become world famous by reason of its fine buildings, castles, bridges and aqueducts. PUT THE KING IN IKONS Montezuma, the Mexican monarch, was friendly to the Spaniards, but a week after Cortez arrived the king was placed in irons and conveyed to Spanish headquar- ters. The Mexicans organized to repel the invaders by placing the brother of Montezuma in command. Armed engagements began soon after and within a period of about a year 100,000 Mexicans were slain and the coun- try was finally subjugated. Cortez returned to Spain in 1528 and was made captain-general, but was not given the position of gov- ernor of New Spain as Mexico was then known. The governorship fell into the hands of a weak ruler, much 96 THE "WAR OF 1848 to the disappointment of Cortez. After he had been refused to the command of the army with which he sought to conquer Algeria, Cortez accompanied Charles V in the expedition against that country. On returning to Spain in 1540 Cortez reported the discovery of the Peninsula of California. He then entered private life and spent the remainder of his days in solitude. Cortez ranked as a man of deep religious faith, a cruel administrator and a great soldier. NO MONEY TO MOVE HIS CROP Copyrighted by Underwood and Underwood LIVELY MARKET SCENE IN AMECAMECA. I ipP» - . : 1 'r? ■ 111 J :; ;l | |§ yJ B ^T'|rfPiLt%i u'^^^S^i " :,. . : ' ■■ .■ . ' 1 ' *' ,! -fl 11111 ■ 5 ^ i • ^ il "J 1 ■;..' ^«h ^! : %l3 isSSP^M JM^&M f: ( : ; ■r;;c' u -'. " "•=■- ".' : ". «sp# m i ^u^ - - J V| \1B i ■ ■'Z'- ■:. ; V S] Copyrighted by Underwood aiid Underwood CIGARETTE FACTORY IN MEXICO. CHAPTER IX THE AMERICAN FIGHTING FORCES THE UNITED STATES MARINE COKPS ITS "USES IN THE OPEN- ING OF CAMPAIGNS GKEAT BRITAIN ONLY OTHER COUNTRY WHICH HAS MARINES WHY EVERY ABLE BODIED MAN IN THE UNITED STATES IS LIABLE FOR MILITARY SERVICE — i DICK LAW IS FOR ALL PRACTICAL PURPOSES A CONSCRIPTION ACT. THE United States and Great Britain are the only two world powers who nse the marine corps. The United States Marine Corps is modeled after that of Great Britain. Away back, centuries ago, all sea fighting was done by soldiers, bowmen and spearmen. The sailors looked to the navigation of the ships. It was so even in the days of the sailing vessels. In 1653 Admiral Blake founded the British Marine Corps by enlisting soldiers to act as riflemen in his action against Van Tromp. The British Marine Corps was abolished and reorganized time and again. England's lead followed Then England, following her press gang system, enlisted and conscripted men, spawn of the gutters of Portsmouth and London and Gravesend. These men did 113 114 THE AMERICAN FIGHTING FORCES not want to sail in the ships. They were bad men, with an impatience of authority. They were unruly. The Government then organized the marine corps again to act as police over these men. They did their work so well that they earned the title of "Boyal Marines' ' and the undying hatred of British sailors. In June, 1776, the Continental Congress, by an act, founded the United States Marine Corps under the com- mand of one major, Samuel Nichols, nine captains, ten first lieutenants and seven second lieutenants. This force gained laurels in the naval and coast actions in the Revolutionary war. At the close of the war the marine corps died, prob- ably of inertia. In the War of 1812 the urgent need of sea soldiers drew the marine corps together again as if by magic, and in the terrific fighting of the lakes, in New Orleans, in all of the coast battles, this branch of the service bore the brunt of the fighting and impressed the need of this kind of body on the people of the country. WITH BAINBEIDGE I3ST TKIPOLI With Bainbridge in the war with Tripoli went a full quota of this marine 'corps. They did the heavy fighting with the Beys and brought victory to the American arms. Again, when Japan insulted the United States, a cordon of these sailor soldiers brought the apology and atone- ment. In the Civil war the marine corps rendered service in the blockading fleets and in battle, like Fort Fisher and other coast actions. But their original purpose, that of policing the ships and the sailors against both attack THE AMERICAN FIGHTING FORCES 115 I'LL FIGHT IF I HAVE TO, AND IF I DO, LOOK OUT. 116 THE ifMERICAN FIGHTING FORCES from the enmity and mutiny on board, had almost passed. They were still a bulwark of defense, but their police work had been usurped by the sailors themselves. With the coming of the heavy guns, the usefulness of the marine in sea actions was discounted. When two fleets engage in action now, they fight at five miles' dis- tance, throwing tons of projectiles aimed by geometric inventions. MAKINES GUAKD NAVAL STATION'S So in times of peace the United States Marine Corps was relegated to the job of guarding naval stations and naval bases. In 1908 President Eoosevelt, as commander-in-chief of the United States army and navy, removed the United States Marine Corps from the complement of our battle- ships and set them to policing naval bases and naval stations beyond the continental limits of the United States and to guarding the Panama Canal Zone. And the marines were called back to their job in the Mexican crisis — 5,000 of them were soon on the spot and 3,000 more were ordered to hold themselves in readi- ness to embark for Tampico and Mexico. GENEKAL KAENETT IE" COMMAND Ma j. -Gen. George Barnett succeeded Ma j. -Gen. Biddle as commandant of marines. General Barnett, who, was in command of a brigade of 2,000 marines, was recalled to Washington upon the retirement of General Biddle in order that he might assume the duties of commandant of marines. He left THE AMERICAN FIGHTING FORCES 117 in his place Col. John A. Lajaune, who took a large detachment of marines, consisting of about eight hun- dred men, to New Orleans, where they remained in camp awaiting orders from the secretary of the navy. These men, under Colonel Lajuane, were embarked upon the Hancock at New Orleans for service in Mexico. EVEKY MAN LIABLE TO CALL In case of war every able-bodied male citizen of the United States between the ages of eighteen and forty- five is liable to be called into the service of the United States for war purposes. About twenty-two million men, constituting a little over 43 per cent of the total male population of this country, are interested in this statement. An act of Congress, approved January 21, 1903, and amended in 1908, commonly known as the "Dick militia law," makes it possible for the president to call into the service of the United States not only the regularly organ- ized militia of the various states, but also the so-called "reserve militia, ,, which constitutes all citizens between eighteen and forty-five. Section 4 of this law provides that "whenever the United States is invaded or in danger of invasion from any foreign nation" or in other contingencies named, "it shall be lawful for the president to call forth such number of the militia of the state or of the states or territories, or of the District of Columbia, as he may deem necessary." DUBING THE PBESIDENT's PLEASUKE Furthermore, it is provided that when the president calls out the militia for such purposes, "he may specify 118 THE AMERICAN FIGHTING FORCES the period for which such service is required, and the militia so called shall continue to serve during the term so specified, either within or without the territory of the United States, unless sooner relieved by order of the president. ' ' The use of the language "either within or without the territory of the United States" shows that it is only necessary for the president to decide that there is a pos- sibility of danger from invasion. Although workingmen's organizations made some protest against the passage of the Dick law at the time and although it has been roundly denounced since on account of the use of militiamen in strikes and labor troubles, the far-reaching character of the law has not been realized by the public generally. It will be surprising to the ordinary man in the street to know, therefore, that he may be summoned at a moment's notice to join the militia; that he is, in fact, already a reserve militiaman and as such subject to immediate call by the president for service either within or without the territory of the United States ! Not only that, but section 7 provides drastic penalties for failure to obey such summons. After providing that members of the militia, when called out by the president, shall be mustered into the service of the United States and shall thus become regular soldiers "without further enlistment and without further medical examination previous to such muster,' ' this section says "that any officer or enlisted man of the militia who shall refuse or neglect to present himself for such muster, upon called forthwith as herein prescribed, shall be subject to trial by court-martial and shall be punished as such court- martial may direct." THE AMERICAN FIGHTING FORCES 119 LIABLE TO DEATH SENTENCE In time of war the punishment could thus extend to death. Section 9, in effect, makes regular soldiers of the militiamen when thus called into the service of the United States. It says "that the militia, when called into the actual service of the United States, shall be sub- ject to the same rules and articles of war as the regular troops of the United States." Violation of the articles of war is about the most serious thing that could happen to anybody. Many of the penalties prescribed for such violations call for death in war time and other penalties are very severe. There is another act of Congress entitled "an act to provide for temporarily increasing the military estab- lishment of the United States in time of war," the act of 1908, by which a volunteer army could be raised. But the failure of men to volunteer might very readily be followed by the enforced enlistment of citizens under the Dick militia law without the necessity of Congress pass- ing a special act authorizing conscriptions. The Dick law for all practical purposes is itself a conscription act. > : ; .-:,.,; )?,V'Vli!l MEXICO, A CONTINUOUS MOVING PICTUKE OF EEVOLUTION. CHAPTER X MEDIATION OFFERED AND ACCEPTED ARGENTINA, BRAZIL AND CHILI, THE A. B. C. REPUBLICS, OFFER MEDIATION PRESIDENT WILSON ACCEPTS WITH RESERVA- TIONS — HE INSISTS THAT WHATEVER MEDIATION MAY RESULT IN HUERTA MUST GET OUT — SENATOR SHERMAN OF ILLINOIS DENOUNCES THE MEDIATION PLAN. OFFERS of mediation between the United States and Mexico received and accepted by President Wilson on Saturday, April 25, 1914, led to a belief in administration circles, that the formal declara- tion of war and the sending of an army into Mexico might still be averted. The belief was not shared either by the army or navy authorities, and it was made plain that preparations for the concentration of a large military force on the Mexican border would proceed, as well as that orders under which the naval forces were acting would not be changed. OFFER IS SKILFULLY PHRASED The offer of mediation between the United States and " those forces representing the several elements of the Mexican people," came from ministers plenipoten- tiary of Argentina, Brazil, and Chili, the signers of the 121 122 MEDIATION OFFERED AND ACCEPTED document addressed to Secretary of State Bryan being Romulo S. Naon, the Argentine representative; Domicio da Gama, the Brazilian representative, and Eduardo Suarez Mujica, the Chilian minister. These were commonly called the A. B. C. mediators. The text of the proffer was as follows : THE TEXT OF THE PROPOSAL "With the purpose of subserving the interest of peace and civilization in our continent and with the earnest desire to prevent any further bloodshed to the prejudice of the cordiality and union which have always surrounded the relations of the governments and the people of America, we, the plenipotentiaries of Brazil, Argentina, and Chile, duly authorized hereto, have the honor to tender to your Excellency's government our good offices for the peaceful and friendly settlement of the conflict between the United States and Mexico. "This offer puts in due form the suggestions which we have had occasion to offer heretofore on this subject to the secretary, to whom we renew our highest and most distinguished consideration. "Domicio Da Gama, Brazil. "Eomulo S. Naon, Argentina. "Eduardo Suarez Mujica, Chile." President Wilson's reply in acceptance of the offer was couched in the following language : "The Government of the United States is deeply sensible of the friendliness, the good feeling, and the generous concern for the peace and welfare of America manifested in the joint note just received from your MEDIATION OFFERED AND ACCEPTED 123 MEXICO J I !iWUU|liMllllMI!il|:0||ltt/llltltt/fi;i^|ll*ia | -^x>^ .1.. ,../ ' ft « 'HOPE SPRINGS ETERNAL.' 124 MEDIATION OFFERED AND ACCEPTED excellencies offering the good offices of your govern- ments to effect if possible a settlement of the present difficulty between the Government of the United States and those who now claim to represent our sister Republic of Mexico. "Conscious of the purpose with which the proffer is made, this Government does not feel at liberty to decline it. "Its own chief interest is in the peace of America, the cordial intercourse of her republics and their people, and the happiness and prosperity which can spring only out of frank, mutual understanding and the friendship which is created by common purpose. "The generous offer of your governments is there- fore accepted. "This Government hopes most earnestly that you may find those who speak for the several elements of the Mexican people willing and ready to discuss terms of satisfactory and therefore permanent settlement. If you should find them willing, this government will be glad to take up with you for discussion in the frankest and most conciliatory spirit any proposals that may be authoritatively formulated, and will hope that they may prove feasible and prophetic of a new day of mutual co-operation and confidence in America. WAENS OF POSSIBLE BKEAK "This Government feels bound in candor to say that its diplomatic relations with Mexico being for the present severed, it is not possible for it to make sure of an uninterrupted opportunity to carry out the plan of inter- mediation which you propose. MEDIATION OFFERED AND ACCEPTED 125 "It is, of course, possible that some act of aggression on the part of those who control the military forces of Mexico might oblige the United States to act to the upsetting of the hopes of immediate peace, but this does not justify us in hesitating to accept your generous suggestion. "We shall hope for the best results within a brief time, enough to relieve our anxiety lest most ill con- sidered hostile demonstrations should interrupt negotia- tions and disappoint our hopes of peace.' ' The note of acceptance while agreeing to the sug- gestion reservedly pointed out that an act of aggression by the military forces of Mexico or hostile demonstra- tions toward Americans might upset hopes of immediate peace. The president announced that he had accepted media- tion for the following reasons : 1. It offered a hope of peace. 2. It showed the world that we were sincere in the effort to avert war. 3. It might modify the sentiment of South America, hitherto strongly against the United States, even if no practical results came from it. 4. As the United States and Mexico were both signa- tories of The Hague conventions, it was incumbent on this Government to observe the terms of those con- ventions. 5. It was imposed upon this Government by the treaty of 1848 between the United States and Mexico, which prescribed that in case of any difference a resort should not be made to reprisals, aggression, or hostility of any kind without recourse to arbitration either by a com- mission composed of citizens of both countries or by a friendly power. 126 MEDIATION OFFERED AND ACCEPTED CONFEKENCE AT WHITE HOUSE Prior to the formal acceptance of the mediation pro- posed there was a conference at the White House between the president, Secretary of State Bryan, Senators Stone and Shively, democratic members, and Senator Lodge, republican member, respectively, of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Representa- tives Flood and Cooper of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. At this conference it was determined: 1. That the mediation should not be limited to Gen- eral Huerta, but should be extended to General Carranza, General Villa, and General Zapata. 2. That, as a condition of the cessation of warlike measures by the United States : (A) Huerta should be required to resign. (B) An orderly government should be set up. (C) Peace and order should be established in Mexico. (D) That suitable reparation be made for all insults to the American flag. SENATOK SHEKMAN OBJECTS Immediately after the proposition for mediation became known, Senator Sherman of Illinois declared publicly that he knew the sentiment of the people of the United States to be opposed to any form of mediation except that to be effected by sending an army into Mexico and securing proper redress for the insults and injuries suffered there by the American nation and by Americans as individuals. MEDIATION OFFERED AND ACCEPTED 127 The senator said: "I wouldn't rebuff these ministers who have made the offer of mediation, because they made it in a kindly spirit, but I am utterly opposed to it. ' l The only mediation I favor now is by the army and navy of the United States, with a notice to Huerta that if he doesn't respect the rights of all nations we will send down half a million men and all the warships we have and all we can build. "I don't believe in mediation. I believe in war, now that we have started it. I'll vote for war as soon as it is put up to me. " Huerta 's act in refusing to permit noncombatants to leave Mexico is the act of a savage, and he should be treated like a savage. "Our duty is to protect all Americans and Europeans in Mexico. It is the duty of the administration to fight. "I will never vote for the acceptance of mediation. I am for fight. I am for an army of half a million men. A large army now will save lives. "I have read a dispatch that the Mexicans refused to permit an American vessel to leave port until a British admiral went on board and hoisted the British flag. That's a pretty thing to contemplate. Think of an American vessel being unable to sail out under the American flag. "I'd be amazed if the administration ever presented the mediation plan to Congress. ' ' Although he did not make it a part of his written acceptance through Secretary Bryan, President Wilson was understood to have imposed one condition upon the mediators — namely, that Huerta must go. That was the only point in respect to Mexico on which Mr. Wilson's mind was unchangeably made up. MEXICO, THE BECORD OF THE YEABS. CHAPTER XI OUR ARMED, FORCES A BEVIEW OF THE RECENT HISTORY OF MEXICO WHAT HAP- PENED TO FRANCISCO MADERO — THE DOWNFALL OF DIAZ — LANDING OF AMERICAN MARINES AT VERA CRUZ — STRENGTH OF THE AMERICAN AND MEXICAN ARMIES AND NAVIES — A CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE. MEXICO had been in a troubled state since 1910. Up to that time President Porfirio Diaz ruled the country with inflexible severity for a gen- eration. A despot in his methods, he nevertheless kept order and in some degree aided development of the coun- try^ resources. But the people revolted against the iron-handed rule of Diaz and they found their leader in the person of Francisco Madero, under whom the coun- try soon flamed into revolution. DIAZ FORCED TO ABDICATE In May, 1911, President Diaz was forced to abdicate, and in the following November, Madero was chosen his successor. Madero lacked the governing genius that Diaz possessed. He made the mistake of trying to pla- cate malcontents. The fall of Madero was brought about by his own former adherents. He was assassinated 129 130 OUR ARMED FORCES under suspicious circumstances after the establishment of Victoriano Huerta as dictator. The regime of Huerta was confined to government in a small section of the country, most of the more remote districts being in con- stant rebellion. In the North the provisional govern- ment failed to exercise the slightest control, and the constitutionalists under General Carranza set up an independent administration conducted with some degree of success. AMEKICAN MAKINES LANDED Up to April 22, 1914, American marines had captured the City of Vera Cruz, with prospect of a later invasion of Mexico through a march of American troops to Mexico City. At the time stated, diplomatic relations between the United States Government and the pro- visional government of Mexico had ceased and the American Congress had authorized President "Wilson to use the armed forces of the nation to secure redress for insults to the American flag. The following chronology is self-explanatory: MEXICAN EVENTS IN 1913 February 9 — A pitched battle takes place in the streets of Mexico City between federal troops and the followers of Felix Diaz. General Bernardo Eeyes is slain. February 16 — President Taft in note to President Madero reaffirms the policy of non-intervention. February 18 — President Madero is taken prisoner by federal General Huerta; the latter is proclaimed pro- visional president. OUR ARMED FORCES 131 OH. GCOR.eE, PROMISE ME THAT IF THERE'S A WAR YOU'Lt HOT GO! PLEASE TEll ME THAT IF THT PRESIDENT PRAFJS YOU VOU-VfiLk HIRE &OMF ONE TO GO IN YOUR- PLACE! (LOOK. GrEOR^E, PROMISE ME! ,OM;-weu..iF'W«r>s TMCWSA'r YOU FEEL ABOUT «T fu. NOT <^a to war* 1 I i I i 2Sfj £**£ PA HAS HIS OWN PRIVATE VIEWS HELD IN RESERVE. 132 OUR ARMED FORCES February 19 — Gustavo Madero, brother of the presi- dent and former minister of finance, is executed by troops of the new government. February 21 — Ambassador Henry Lane Wilson sends his ' ' sincere congratulations ' ' to Huerta. Huerta assures United States Government that Madero will not be executed summarily. February 22 — United States War Department orders 4,000 soldiers to Mexican border. February 23 — President Madero and Vice President Suarez were assassinated. Eevolt is started in eleven states against Huerta regime. February 24 — United States announces its policy not changed by murder. February 27 — Huerta asks for the passage of a bill to pardon all political offenders. March 2 — Mexican troops kill sixty prisoners under fugitive law. March 7 — Huerta denies murder of Madero and Suarez. March 14 — Ex-President Porfirio Diaz indorses Huerta regime. March 30 — The Mexican government protests to United States against the shipment of arms across the border. April 13 — Federal garrison at Naco under General Ojeda flees into Arizona and surrenders to American soldiers. May 9 — Huerta declares Ambassador Wilson without diplomatic standing because United States fails to recog- nize Mexican government. May 11-25 — Federal officers executed by order of the constitutionalist commanders. ' OUR ARMED FORCES 133 THE MOVIE MAN AND GENERAL VILLA— AN EVEN BREAK. 134 OUR ARMED FORCES May 16 — Huerta is charged in Mexican Parliament with conspiracy, usurpation, and assassination. May 22 — Federal troops are defeated in Coahnila. Everything between Saltillo and Monclava falls into hands of constitutionalists. June 10 — Federal troop train is dynamited and 200 killed. June 20 — Federal troops defeat constitutionalists in two-day battle at Ortiz. July 16 — Ambassador Wilson leaves for Washington to explain Mexican situation. July 25 — Durango falls into hands of constitu- tionalists. August 4 — Ambassador Wilson resigns Mexican post. August 7 — John Lind is dispatched to Mexico on battleship "New Hampshire" to present President Wil- son^ plans for mediation and the holding of a popular election for president. August 8 — Huerta announces that Lind will be per- sona non grata unless he comes prepared to recognize existing government. August 9 — General Felix Diaz on way to Japan with special mission from Mexican government. . August 13 — Japan refuses to recognize Diaz. Con- stitutionalists raise siege of Torreon after loss of 3,200 men. August 27 — Huerta rejects President Wilson's "peace plan," and Special Envoy Lind returns to Vera Cruz from Mexico City. September 16 — In a message to the Mexican Con- gress, Huerta promises an unrestricted popular election for the presidency. September 27 — Diaz is recalled to Mexico for active OUR ARMED FORCES A. 135 'WILL HUERTA EVER RESIGN?"— A POINTED CARTOON OF THE PERIOD. 136 OUR ARMED FORCES army service, after his candidacy for the presidency is announced. October 7 — The constitutionalists capture the City of Piedras Negras. October 10 — Huerta seizes and imprisons 110 depu- ties of the Mexican Parliament who had signed a resolu- tion of warning against him because of the disappear- ance of a senator. October 14 — Huerta suspends constitutional guaran- tees and proclaims himself dictator. Sir Lionel Carden, British minister to Mexico, presents his credentials to Huerta. October 27 — Elections take place in Mexico which are evidently farcical. November 4 — President "Wilson sends ultimatum to Huerta, demanding that he retire. Huerta ignores it. November 12 — Premier Asquith announces policy of non-intervention by Great Britain. November 14 — Constitutionalists capture Culiacan, capital of the State of Sinaloa. November 18 — Victoria, capital of Tamaulipas, cap- tured and occupied by the constitutionalists. November 26 — Pancho Villa wins the battle of Juarez. December 1 — Chihuahua is evacuated by the federals and Villa begins his advance toward Mexico City. December 9 — The election results of October 27 are annulled and new elections set for July. Meanwhile Huerta is to retain provisional presidency. THE DEVELOPMENT OF 1914 January 10 — Ojinaga occupied by Villa after a six- day battle. The constitutionalists are now in control of the northern tier of Mexican states. OUR ARMED FORCES 137 February 3 — President Wilson lifts the embargo on arms, applied to Mexico by President Taft. February 14 — Clemente Vergera, a Texas ranger, is lured across the border by the federals and killed. Texans recover his body. February 17 — William S. Benton, British subject, is killed in Juarez by Fierro, one of Villa's lieutenants, yilla is cleared of blame. April 3 — Torreon is evacuated by the federals after repeated defeats in hard fought battles. April 7 — The constitutionalists move against Tam- pico and begin the attack. April 9 — Paymaster and boats crew of American marines from the United States Grunboat Dolphin arrested by a Mexican federal officer at boats landing in Tampico. April 10 — Admiral Mayo demands an apology and flag salute. April 13 — Huerta refuses to give the salute demanded by the United States Government. April 15 — A war fleet of twenty-one battleships receives orders to sail for Mexico and to block the Mex- ican ports if Huerta does not comply with the demand for a salute. April 19 — Huerta again definitely refuses to yield to the demand for an unconditional salute. April 20 — President reads special message to Con- gress. April 21 — Vera Cruz taken by United States forces after sharp fight. Congress authorizes president to act. April 22 — Huerta suspends all diplomatic relations with the United States. Fighting continues in Vera Cruz. 138 OUR ARMED FORCES THE MEXICAN AKMY AND NAVY have at present largely a paper strength, as a consider- able part of the regular army in the north has gone over to the constitutional camp. The official figures on the organization of the army are : PEACE STEENGTH— 107 generals, 6,236 officers, 49,332 men. WAE STEENGTH— Estimated at from 50,000 to 84,000 of all ranks. The army consists of 30 battalions of infantry, 18 regiments of cavalry, 1 regiment of horse artillery, 2 regiments of field artillery, and 1 of mountain guns, etc. Each artillery regiment consists in time of peace of four batteries, in time of war raised to six. The national guard is practically without training or organization and would be very difficult to mobilize. Mauser rifles (1901 model) are used by the regular infantry and cavalry, but the reserves use the old Eem- ington 1893 model. The artillery is fairly well supplied with Schneider-Canet quick-firing guns. Eecently, the Mexican government has made heavy purchases of guns, chiefly rifles, in Japan. Most of the ammunition used is made in Mexican arsenals. The navy is almost a negligible feature. There were until July five gunboats, but one of these was destroyed recently by the constitutionalists in the harbor of Guaymas. PEESONNEL OF THE UNITED STATES AEMY AND NAVY MAECH 20, 1914 Eegular Army — Officers, 4,933 ; enlisted men, 92,426. Philippine Scouts — Officers, 180 ; enlisted men, 5,732. OUR ARMED FORCES ' 139 Militia— Officers, 9,142; enlisted men, 112,710. Regular Navy — Officers, 3,293 ; enlisted men, 49,854. Marine Corps — Officers, 345 ; enlisted men, 9,921. Naval Militia — Officers, 615 ; enlisted men, 7,185. In the regular army the infantry consists of thirty regiments of three battalions each, and each battalion falls into four companies. The cavalry has fifteen regi- ments of three squadrons. The field artillery comprises six regiments, each of six batteries; of these two regi- ments are light artillery, two mountain artillery, one field artillery, and one horse artillery. To each battery are allotted four guns firing a 15-pound shell, and eight wagons. The militia is a body of voluntary state troops which the president can call out for service within the country or outside of it. THE VESSELS OF THE NAVY Ships Battleships, First-line 8 Battleships, Second-line 24 Armored Cruisers 10 Cruisers : First-class 6 Second-class 3 Third-class 16 Monitors 7 Destroyers 48 Torpedo boats 21 Submarines 27 Tenders 7 Gunboats 30 Transports 5 140 OUR ARMED FORCES Supply ships 4 Hospital ships 2 Fuel ships 22 Converted yachts 16 Tugs 45 Special 7 Unserviceable for war . . 21 329 THE ATLANTIC FLEET Battleship Tons "Wyoming (flagship) 26,000 Arkansas 26,000 Connecticut 16,000 Florida 21,825 Utah • 21,825 Delaware . . ." ~ 20,000 North Dakota 20,000 Michigan 20,000 South Carolina 16,000 Louisiana ^ 16,000 Vermont 16,000 New Hampshire 16,000 Kansas 16,000 Minnesota 16,000 Idaho 13,000 Georgia 14,948 Virginia 14,948 Nebraska 14,948 New Jersey 14,948 Ehode Island 14,948 Missouri 12,800 Ohio 12,500 OUR ARMED FORCES 141 Maine 12,500 Illinois 11,552 Wisconsin 11,552 Alabama 11,552 Kearsarge 11,520 Kentucky 11,520 Iowa 11,346 Indiana 10,288 Massachusetts 10,288 AKMOEED CRUISEKS Tennessee 14,500 Montana 14,500 Washington 14,500 North Carolina 14,500 CRUISERS Salem 4,750 Birmingham 3,750 Chester , 3,750 Baltimore 4,413 24 Destroyers, 3 Gunboats, 16 Torpedo boats, 10 Sub- marines, etc. THE PACIFIC FLEET varies considerably in size, as vessels are frequently interchanged between it and the Asiatic Fleet. April 18, 1914, the Pacific Fleet included the battleship Oregon, six armored cruisers, five other cruisers, nine destroyers and torpedo boats, and nine submarines. SAN MEXICO'S LAND LOSSES TO THE UNITED STATES: 1 AND 3 BY THE WAR; 2 BY THE GODSLEN PURCHASE. HOW AMERICAN CARTOONISTS LAMPOONED HENRY LANE WILSON, WHO WAS ACCUSED OF BEING PRO-HUERTA IN HIS SYMPATHIES. 144 THE READY RED CROSS MERCY SAKES I DlDrt'r KNOW HE WAS ASBftD AS THAT CARTOON REFLECTING THE OPINION OF SOME NEWSPAPERS AS TO PRESIDENT WILSON'S CAMPAIGN AGAINST HUERTA. Copyrighted by Underwood and Underwood STRAWBERRIES— MEXICANS RAISE THEM BY IRRIGATION. Photograph, Underwood and Underwood WATER SELLER— YOU BUY ALL YOU GET. Copyrighted by Underwood and Underw SOMBREROS— THE MEXICAN NATIONAL HATSHOP. Copyrighted by Underwood and Underwood THE WOMEN AT THE TOWN WELL— AMATLAN. Copyrighted by Underwood and Underwood THE BRIDGE AT AMATLAN— OF GREAT AGE. Copyrighted by Underwood and Underwood A SPLENDID FOUNTAIN— CITY OF MEXICO. Copyrighted by Underwood and Underwood A PRIMARY SCHOOL IN JALAP A- -IN SPITE OP WAR. Copyrighted by Underwood and Underwood JUANACATLAN FALLS— WHERE LOVERS SOJOURN. *" ^S^*** __J Copyrighted by Underwood and Underwood COFFEE BAG MAKING— SANTA GERTRUDIS, NEAR ORIZABA. t if.mi t Copyrighted by Underwood and Underwood THE COLLEGIATE CHUBCH AT GUADALOUPEr— LATELY UNDER FIRE. Copyrighted by Underwood and Underwood GATHERING PRICKLY PEAR FRUIT— TUNAS. FEDERAL SOLDIER, AFTER THE BATTLE. CHAPTER XII THE READY RED CROSS THE RED CROSS AMONG THE FIRST ORGANIZATIONS TO BE READY — FORTY-FIVE HUNDRED TRAINED NURSES PREPARED TO SAIL AT ONCE — MABEL BOARDMAN *S INTERESTING STATE- MENT — TAMPICO, THE PLAGUE SPOT OF MEXICO. ALMOST as soon as the first note of war had been sounded word was sent out that the American Red Cross would be ready to take the field with the troops. Forty-five hundred of the best trained nurses in the United States were enrolled in this superb body. Miss Mabel T. Boardman, chairman of the national relief board of the Red Cross issued the following statement : "Under regulations issued by the secretaries of war and navy, as authorized by Congress, American National Red Cross in time of war becomes part of the military personnel of the army and navy. In practice, this means that the units composing Red Cross are placed in charge of medical officers of the army and navy, have uniforms issued to them and receive pay, allowances and subsist- ence from military authorities. READY FOR EMERGENCY "Only in cases of great emergency are Red Cross workers assigned to duty at the front or on ships of war. 161 162 THE READY RED CROSS They usually remain in hospitals in the home country, at the base of operations, on hospital ships and along lines of communications of military forces. Such hos- pitals would be established at Galveston and at some point on the Pacific coast. Probably another hospital would be located at New York. Red Cross would pro- vide nurses and personnel for such hospitals. Work of actual direction of these hospitals and other relief work which might be carried on nearer the scene of operations would be under medical officers of the army and navy. "In case military operations became extensive and involved a long campaign, there would be large numbers sick as the result of fever and tropical diseases. These would be sent back from the front for care in hospitals established at military bases and in the United States. "In addition to the 4,500 trained nurses on our rolls and ready for service any time, the Red Cross has a large number of men instructed in first aid, and a corps of hospital orderlies could be promptly obtained. In addition to that we would call upon the Needlework Guild, an affiliated organization, upon federations of women's clubs, church sewing societies and other such organizations to provide linen supplies for hospitals and ships, which might be necessary for the wounded and sick. BELIEF BOAKD TAKES CHAEGE "The Red Cross war relief board has arranged to meet. It is composed of Surgeon General Gorgas of the army, chairman ; Surgeon General Braisted of navy, vice chairman, and a number of other medical officers, phy- sicians, nurses and civilians familiar with work which will have to be done. ' ' THE READY RED CROSS 163 Tampico, the most unhealthy place on the map, was the objective of many of the Bed Cross nurses, for there fever and other diseases due to bad sanitation and bad water were expected to run riot in the early stages of the campaign. TAMPICO A PLAGUE SPOT Tampico, the storm center of Mexico, in the event of war with the United States, sweats in a humid, unhealthy, heated atmosphere in the southeastern corner of the State of Tamaulipas, at the mouth of the Panuco River. It was an Aztec city. In 1683 it was destroyed by the pirate Lorencilla and was not rebuilt until 1823. It received the name Santa Ana de Tamaulipas in 1834, and was the scene of a Mexican victory over the Spanish in 1827. It is a city of some commercial importance and high death rate. Lagoons and rushes, rising out of the blue slime, surround it and invade it when the health authori- ties sleep. The population hovers around eighteen thousand, slid- ing back two hundred or three hundred at intervals as the inhabitants shrivel before an epidemic of yellow fever. The eastern and poorer section of the town is built on low ground three feet above the river, subject to inundation. The western section is built on high ground 150 feet above sea level, and holds private residences, good water and drainage. The business section is well built, with wide streets, market places and gas and elec- tric lights. 164 THE READY RED CROSS ( WELL, IT'S A NASTY BIT OF SEA AND A ROCKY SHORE, BUT IF IT'S A QUESTION OF RESCUE, HERE GOES." THE READY RED CROSS 165 JUNCTION OF TWO KAILWAYS It is the junction of two railroads, the Monterey and Gulf line, running north, northwest to Ciudad, Victoria and Monterey, and a branch of the Mexican Central run- ning west to San Luis Potosi. Then there are river boats on the Panuco, plying to the mouth of the Tamazunchale, 135 miles away. Another boat line runs to Tamiahua, on the Texpan canal, a distance of 77 miles. The industries are oil refineries, ice factories, canneries and clothing fac- tories, and a small shipyard. The exports are oil, mining and grazing products, wood, honey, wool, hemp and silver bullion from San Luis Potosi, Aguascalentes, Torreon and Monterey. It is the coast heart of northeastern Mexico and rivals Vera Cruz as a commercial port. TO MAKE BEER USEES PAY The cost of war with Mexico, if war is necessary, would, it was announced, fall on users of beer, tobacco, drugs and on commercial transactions represented by checks, drafts, stock transfers and similar dealings. This is the usual method of financing a war. It was employed in the Spanish- American war. The beer tax was increased nearly one-third, and the result was smaller glasses of beer. The tobacco tax was increased in about the same proportion, and the tobacco trust took it out of the public by decreasing the sizes of the pack- ages, allowing the price for standard makes to remain the same. The commonest tax, the one noted in com- mercial transactions, is that on checks. Everybody pay- ing by check had to have a two-cent stamp on the check, and in course of time the check books were issued with 166 THE READY RED CROSS the stamps printed on the checks, and a charge was made for the book to cover the international revenue tax. The stock exchange transfer was theoretically aimed at rich people transferring valuable properties in stocks. It was successfully evaded by all large firms like Morgan & Co. by various tricks, such as making no official record of stocks bought and sold on the stock exchange. All the nominal sales by margin of such stocks escaped the war tax. The beer and tobacco tax was easily transferred to the consumers of these articles, and even the tax on checks was handed down to the people who pay the bills. In other words, wars are financed by taxes on the produc- ing public rather than upon the possessors of accumu- lated wealth. REVENUES AEE NOW SCANT The income tax made thoroughly constitutional, afforded an opportunity for financing the Mexican war. During the Civil war a large amount of money was raised by an income tax, no question then being raised as to its constitutionality. A sharply-graduated increase in the income tax has been easily arranged by a brief amend- ment to the present income-tax law. The administra- tion of such a measure would be simple, since the returns are in and the Government knows who must pay income taxes. It would be necessary to send notice to those who have paid, that bills are a certain percentage higher, according to the graduated increase which may be made by congressional amendment. • It is impossible to estimate how many billions a war would cost that lasted over a year or two. CHAPTER XIII L THE WOMEN OF MEXICO THE WOMEN" OF MEXICO HOW CLASS LINES DIVIDE THEM MEXICAN METHODS OF COURTSHIP THE TEIAL MARRIAGE POPULAR AMONG PEONS — LOT OF MEXICAN WOMAN A HARD ONE — COOKING WITH CHARCOAL BRAZIER HOW WEALTHY WOMEN LIVE. THE women of Mexico include some of the most in- teresting types the world has produced. From the highest to the lowest they are characterized types. Class lines between the women of Mexico are sharp and distinct. On one side are the women of the protected class — boasting of Castilian descent, guarded by duennas, garbed in imitation Parisian styles and the Spanish mantilla, and surrounded by all the conventions and customs in- augurated by the Spanish. Women of this class are never unattended in public. They are always accompanied by elderly women, who, in the United States, would be called chaperons. One of the customs that still survives is that of "play- ing the bear" by young men who court them. This con- sists of a course of "watchful waiting" outside the door or window of a young woman by the chap who has been 167 168 THE WOMEN OF MEXICO smitten. After a lengthy course of this sort of training he may finally be permitted to enter the family circle if he complies with a further course of customs and con- ventionalities. "playing the beak" in love In Mexico City and some of the larger and more up- to-date places this old Spanish custom has been suc- ceeded by modern drawing-room conventionalities, but it still exists in many places. The middle-class women — as a class — hardly exist. It is a sharp contrast between the protected woman of the prosperous and the woman of the peon class. The latter is more primitive. Being, generally, an Indian, her characteristics are quite different, and the system of peonage has held her back so that she has remained in practically the same state for hundreds of years. She does the hard, manual labor of the household, the same as a North American Indian squaw. She is the commissary department of the army. She is absolutely ignorant, long suffering and faithful to whoever her lord and master may happen to be. Among a very large part of the peon or "cholo" class, marriages, as we understand them, are unknown. In reality they are "trial marriages. " The cost of a church and civil ceremony is prohibitive, so that gen- erally it is dispensed with. There is a sort of civil con- tract that may be procured in some sections of Mexico at a very small cost that is frequently used, but is not binding. THE WOMEN OF MEXICO 169 MANY OF GREAT BEAUTY The Spanish-Mexican girl of the protected class ofteii is famous for her beauty and her accomplishments. Her peon sister may be prepossessing in appearance from fourteen to twenty years of age, but, after that, manual labor and hardships age her quickly. Most peon women are little better than slaves. They accompany their men folks everywhere. Thousands of peons are employed on American railroads in the south- west. These laborers are transported from place to place in long strings of box cars. The women and children are always there, each family making a box car their home. Their only amusement is the inevitable Mexican guitar. They are as fond of bright colors and cheap jewelry as any people in a primitive state. Altogether the lot of the Mexican peon woman is a hard one, but she seldom realizes this, because she has never known or heard of anything better. Discontent is spreading among the men, but as yet the women merely follow, submissively, without any knowledge of what it is all about. THE EVER PRESENT FAN The most effectual and indispensable toilet accessory to the high-caste Mexican woman is the fascinating fan which is seen in every shape, size, style and color. Arid a close second to the coquettish fan is the flirta- tious handerkerchief, which is often made of the most wonderful lace and the finest of fabric. Ladies do not attend funerals in Mexico, but express their sympathy and regrets in notes of condolence. 170 THE WOMEN OF MEXICO One of the most interesting duties which the house- wife has to perform in a Mexican city is her marketing. Fruits, vegetables, chickens, etc., can be bought from vendors who go through the streets crying their wares, as well as at the markets. The early-rising fashion hasn't penetrated the sleepy Mexican country yet. In the morning he who loves his last doze may have it in perfect peace and quiet. The first meal of the day with the high-caste women, as a rule, is coffee or cocoa and bread served in bed. Of course, the servants are up, but they go about as quietly as mice. BEEAKFAST AT NOON Breakfast is served at noon, and dinner later in the day. After dinner there is the far-famed siesta — or after- noon nap. The climate seems to demand a rich and highly-spiced diet. The frijola, native beans, chili con came, tortillas and highly-seasoned soup constitute a part of the daily menu. Among the poor, women with their children are often found in a single room, an unplastered adobe hut, per- haps. The mother spends most of her time kneeling behind a stone ' ' metale ' ' making ' ' tortillas. ' ' This humble home has little, if any furniture, except for a brick charcoal cooking apparatus and a few rush mats upon which the members of the family sleep at night, upon the floor. The walls are probably orna- mented with a gaudy print or two of the Virgin and a number of picturesque little pictures. Somewhere in the kitchen will be found an "estiladera" (water filter), made THE WOMEN OF MEXICO 171 from a porous, volcanic rock peculiar to the country. The water percolates through the pores into a vessel beneath, and it keeps as cold as ice. HOW MEXICAN WOMEN" COOK An American woman, looking in vain for the stove, sees the "brazieros," a sort of table of brick or tile in which is set an iron grate about a foot square. Upon this a fire of charcoal is built. Underneath is a grate where ashes may be removed. After the fire is kindled with a little kerosene it must be fanned till it blazes up brightly. In this household it is more than likely that the old- est girl goes out to service. The servant in Mexico knows little about housekeeping as the American knows it. Her favorite scheme of dish-washing is the use of cold water, soap and a piece of hemp rope fiber. She doesn't think of drying them, but leaves them to drain. The women of Mexico, all classes, are naturally im- pulsive, kind-hearted, sincere, sociable and most hos- pitable. fr-~%. » Cl f r ft * - -^^ WOODROW WILSON, THE SCHOOL TEACHER. CHAPTER XIV THE REAL CAUSES OF THE TROUBLE HUNGER FOR LAND AMONG THE COMMON PEOPLE THE REAL CAUSE OF REVOLUTION — DIAZ DEADLY RULE OPENED MANY EYES — MADERO POSED AS FRIEND BUT BETRAYED HIS TRUST IN THE CRUCIAL MOMENT — COMMON MEXICAN NOW FIGHT- ING FOR A HOME FOR HIS CHILDREN. WHAT precipitated the latest Mexican crisis? Was it the southern lust for a change of rulers ? Was it the ebullient spirit of unrest so char- acteristic of Latin races in America? Or was it a deter- mination on the part of the common people, so long trod* den under foot, to have a share of the land that has been monopolized by the so-called land-owning class? Probably one of the best informed men in the world on this subject is Gutierrez De Lara, who wrote an ad- mirable book several years ago on ' ' The Mexican People — Their Struggle for Freedom. ' J In discussing the cause of Mexican unrest Mr. De Lara said : 1 ' The main issue of the Mexican revolution was land. The man behind the gun — the fighting peon — knows no other issue; neither does the man behind the man be- hind the gun — the working peon, who keeps his brother in the field. * ' The peon, fighting or working, is a man of one idea. 173 174 THE REAL CAUSES OF THE TROUBLE For him life resolves itself into the full personal owner- ship of a patch of land where he may raise corn, pasture his cow and grow his vegetables. For this he has strug- gled almost continuously for exactly 100 years, and the last few years of warfare are only the final rounds of a campaign which began with the great-grandfathers of the present generation. " Again and again, up and down the length and breadth of Sonora. I have cross-examined men in the ranks as to the real motives which prompted them to risk their lives from hour to hour, from day to day, from month to month, under a Villa, a Maytorera, a Carranza. ANSWEE ALWAYS LAND ''The answers were unmistakably uniform and con- cise — 'land.' " The heart of the last great revolution found its first pulsation with Madero in the chair. This moment is summed up by Mr. De Lara as follows : "When the people continued persistently to demand of him (Madero) the restoration of the lands for which they had fought, he endeavored to dupe them by request- ing Congress to authorize the 'Caja Nacianol de Adiorros' — an institution existing only on paper — to raise a loan of $250,000,000 to buy large tracts of land to be sub- divided into small allotments and sold to the people on installments. "To make the mockery more complete he appointed as a committee to handle the buying and selling of these lands a group of wealthy land owners, many of them his own relatives. THE REAL CAUSES OF THE TROUBLE 175 ATTACK ON MADEKO "Francisco Madero lost every trace of his wonted democratic ideals and became, consciously or uncon- sciously, the mere creature of that same intolerable op- pression and exploitation which had provoked the revolu- tion of 1910. ' ' The people were not slow to recognize the real state of affairs. When the smoke of the revolution cleared away they found that for all their troubles they had changed nothing but a name. The cries of ' Viva Madero ' became stilled. Then out of the silence of this illusion- ment and .despair there burst forth a new cry, 'Viva la Tierra! Viva la Constitution' as, full of a new hope and understanding, they unstacked their rifles and pre- pared to continue the fight. ' ' They would fight no longer for a man. Henceforth they never would lay down their arms till they them- selves had consummated that economic reorganization they demanded. "In this clarified attitude of the Mexican people lies the great hope of the present revolution. No man hence- forth can ride on their backs into power. They will go forward unwaveringly, irresistibly, until they have estab- lished a new social order. They have learned democ- racy's great lesson; that the individual cannot assume the functions of the collectivity. ' ' NO GOOD WOKD FOE DIAZ For Diaz Mr. De Lara can find no good word. The chapters dealing with this ruler of the southern nation are nothing short of vitriolic. Murder of a wholesale 176 THE REAL CAUSES OF THE TROUBLE character, unjustified, and robbery by well laid plans have been laid upon the record of the dictator by the author. After relating many incidents of Diaz's op- pression, Mr. De Lara says of him : "These episodes were sufficient to illustrate the nature and method of the Diaz policy in regard to the agrarian democracy. Were one to make a complete compilation of all such episodes during the years 1877 to 1910, it would fill many volumes and constitute the bloodiest record since the Roman ruling class overthrew the slave revolts of Spartacus and decorated the Appain Way with living torches. "By these methods of despoliation the agrarian de- mocracy of Mexico was reduced to the lowest slavery. More than a million families, averaging at least five mem- bers to the family, and consequently at least a million small traders, craftsmen dependent upon the custom of these families, a total of 6,000,000 working persons, at least, were torn from independent modes of livelihood to become peons of no more than fifty big land-owning families and corporations.' ' DICTATOK 'S AIDS ' ' SINISTER ' ' "Barbarous Mexico" was created through Diaz and his body of advisors — Scientificos, as they called them- selves. "No account of the Diaz regime could be complete without some reference to the sinister group of able men who guided his policies, well known in recent times as the ' Scientificos. 9 These men ruled the country and directed the vast predatory operations upon the lands THE REAL CAUSES OF THE TROUBLE 177 of the agrarian democracy, upon the public resources and the national treasury. " There was not a profitable enterprise in all Mexico in which they failed to take a hand. These were the men who, with the assistance of Diaz, created ' Barbarous Mexico ' and the bloody revolution of 1910. ' ' Through Madero's downfall and the revolution led by Huerta the author finds an opportunity to bring the United States in the controversy and utilizes that oppor- tunity to criticise this country for its various attitudes toward the Mexican situation. WHO HUERTA MEN" ARE "The force behind Felix Diaz, comprised all the worst elements of the old regime. Three months before his cuartelazo in Mexico City Felix Diaz started a premature uprising in Vera Cruz. "On that occasion the Mexican press and various reputable organs in both England and the United States charged Weetman D. Pearson, better known as Lord Cowdray, with placing $15,000,000 at his disposal for this purpose, and the charge has not been refuted. "At the firing of the first shot the American press, as if in answer to a preconcerted signal, made a tre- mendous final effort to stampede the American people into demanding intervention. President Taft again dis- patched fresh troops to the border and ordered American gunboats to cruise off the Mexican coast. He still pro- fessed himself averse to intervention, although proclaim- ing that if Congress should authorize him to intervene he would do so. 178 THE REAL CAUSES OF THE TROUBLE H. L. WILSON ASSAILED "But the vigorous middle class revolt which marked 1912 had just culminated at that time in the election of Woodrow Wilson to power; and Congress gauged the temper of the country too well to make any such request. Again the policy of intervention fell before the awakened social sense of the people. "Henry Lane Wilson, the American ambassador to Mexico, however, broke every tradition of diplomacy and brought disgrace -upon the United States by making scarcely an effort to conceal his personal interest in the triumph of the Felicista cause. His ill-advised message to President Taft urging the recognition of the Huerta government while the blood of the murdered Madero was yet warm on the ground shocked American decency to the depths. In short, all the elements, both American and Mexican, which worked together with Porfirio Diaz to wreck the Mexican democracy of the restoration and create a * barbarous Mexico' rallied to the support of Felix Diaz. "It is not supposed that the late President Madero viewed with indifference the ill-concealed alliance of the United States with his enemies or the unfriendly attitude of President Taft. Indeed, from the day of his accession to the presidency he regarded United States intervention in Mexico as a daily probability, and he shaped his for- eign policy accordingly. FORCED MADERO TO JAPAN 1 ' No more severe criticism of the short-sighted policy of the United States toward Mexico could be made than THE REAL CAUSES OF THE TROUBLE 179 is to be found in the simple fact that Francisco Madero in order to checkmate that policy was compelled to throw himself into the arms of Japan. "Not only did Madero enlist the ardent support of the South American republics in the cause of Mexico's inviolability, but he entered into negotiations with the Japanese minister in Mexico City for a close offensive and defensive alliance with Japan to checkmate United States aggression. "The consummation of these negotiations undoubt- edly was prevented only by the cuartelazo of Felix Diaz. How far they had progressed may be gleaned from an incident related by one who was the intimate friend and confidential adviser of Madero throughout his political career. SECKET ALLIANCE FOKMED "When, during the fateful twelve days' battle in Mexico City, a rumor of American intervention more alarming than usual was communicated to Madero, he replied coldly that he was thoroughly anxious for that intervention, for he was confident of the surprise the American government would receive in discovering it had to deal with Japan. "Such an alliance would have been fraught with in- finite disaster to the Mexican people. Japan, in return for her protection, must have demanded inevitably and received not only large land concessions but full economic privileges for her subjects in Mexico. "Japanese immigration on a vast scale would have followed, and the Mexican people would have found them- selves quietly inundated, dispossessed and finally econom- 180 THE REAL CAUSES OF THE TROUBLE ically controlled by an aggressive alien race irresistibly competent in arms and commerce. "The fact that the Mexican common people indorse this policy of Madero and prefer to encounter the mani- fest evils of a Japanese alliance rather than retain the integrity of their country under the sufferance of the United States shows to what disastrous extremes the policy of the American plutocracy has driven them." PACIFICATION A LONG JOB. CHAPTER XV A FEW SIDELIGHTS ON ZAPATA SIDELIGHTS ON" EMILIANO ZAPATA WHO HAS KEPT MEXICO GUESSING SINCE THE MADERO EEVOLUTION SUCCEEDED KNOWN AS THE " BLOODY ATILLA OF THE SOUTH' ' ZA- PATISATS SUPPOSED TO HAVE TAKEN A PRICE TO LAY DOWN THEIR ARMS — THE LEADER CALLED A BRIGAND. JOHN A. AVIRETTE, who traveled all over Mexico, is one of the men best entitled to be heard on the subject of Zapata and his campaigns. Emiliano Zapata has been in the field with varying activity ever since the Madero regime came to an end, and he is variously referred to as the " bloody brigand" or "Atillaof the South." Mr. Avirette left Mexico City by train to get a glimpse of the Zapatistas on the Western edge of the Mexican tableland. He traveled with General Ambrosio Figerio, governor of the state of Morelos. His conversation with General Figerio is illuminating. It is given in Mr. Avi- rette 's own language: "I engaged the General in conversation and found that he was a very intelligent man, as well as possessed 181 182 A FEW SIDELIGHTS ON ZAPATA of a frank and charming manner. We swapped soldier yarns, and then I steered the talk around to the Zapatist revolution. Here the General gave me an absolute sur- prise, for he said: 'Emiliano Zapata is not the blood- thirsty bandit that the property-owning class affect to believe. He is full of ideals and believes in himself and his cause as strongly as Madero formerly believed in his. The people of his State are with him to a man, and the suppression of Zapatism is a giant's job.' "Why, General," said I, surprised, "I thought you and he were bitter personal enemies. It is so reported in the city." a