Evening Republican, Volume 20, Number 174, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 July 1916 — STRONG LEADERS IN MEXICAN ARMY [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

STRONG LEADERS IN MEXICAN ARMY

Long Era of Warfare Has Produced Several Highly Efficient Generals. OBREGON AND ANGELES BEST Angeles Said to Have Contributed Largely to Villa's Successes a Highminded, Humane, Capable Leader.

San Antonio, Tex. —Were the Mexican army throughout as capable as some of its'generals the United States would have no easy task in subduing Its unruly neighbor. It must be remembered that Mexico has had almost uninterrupted war of one kind or another for a period longer than the American Civil war. While conscientious American army officers have been puzzling over maps and working out problems in military strategy and tactics, the Mexican generals have been actually leading large forces in the field and giving and receiving blows in the same territory where they now clash with Uncle Sam’s Napoleons. This Is an enormous advantage. In addition, the Mexican military academy at Chapultepec, near Mexico City, which is similar to our West Point, has a high rating among institutions of this character. In the Mexican war of 1846-47 the Chapultepec cadets put up a desperate resistance to the American Invaders on the grounds of their school. They were only overcome nearly all had been killed or wounded. So, while the Mexican forces are badly equipped and lack ammunition and food supplies, they will in many cases be as well led as the Americans. Mexico’s two leading masters of war —leaving out the undoubted genius Francisco Villa —are Alvaro Obregon, “Pancho’s” conqueror and present minister of war, and Felipe Angeles, former superintendent of Chapultepec. Obregon has the best record. Of him more anon. Angeles is the greatest artillery expert Mexico ever produced. Indeed, his ability is recognized by European military men. At last reports Angeles was in the United States, but it is believed he will

return to Mexico, unless apprehended by American troops, and offer his sword to Carranza. Supplied the Brains. Angeles remained with Villa when the latter broke with Carranza. He contributed largely to many of Villa’s victories. Some critics say most of Villa’s glory should go to Angeles—that he was the man behind the scenes and supplied the brains, while Villa Inspired the enthusiasm. He was Villa’s minister of war when Villa had an organized government and was proposed several times as provisional president of Mexico. In this position he could have counted on the confidence and support of the United States. But Villa feared Angeles’ strength and kept him In a subordinate position. Then Angeles quarreled with Villa over the bloodthirsty and unprincipled methods of the northern bandit ; general and left him. He did not go over to the constitutionalists, however, but sougi t refuge In the-Unlted States. On March 28 last he expressed the opinion at El Paso that there would be war between the United States and Mexico within 30 days If American troops remained for that period on Mexican soil. H

“Mexico is a powder magazine,” said the veteran general. “A spark will explode It” If Obregon remains at Mexico City to direct operations from there, actual charge In the field will probably be in the hands of Francisco Serrono, his chief of staff. He is another military .man whose worth has been proved In the series of revolutions and is regarded by American officers as a capable leader. He-has not figured prominently up to the present On the northern border the three principal leaders are General Rlcaut,

in the east: General Jacinto Trevino, commanding in Chihuahua; and Gen. P. Elias Calles, military governor of Sonora. These are all war-seasoned veterans. General Calles has been friendly to Americans and has gained a rather high opinion along the border. He gave his word he would personally see that American refugees were not molested in their flight out of Mexico. He will probably try to lead his force through the mountains to attack the American expeditionary forces from the west. It was General Calles who overthrew Moytorena, the Villa governor of Sonora. Calles is believed to have 15,000 men under his command. Carranza himself may take the field, with the object of Inspiring’ the Mexicans and showing he is with them heart and soul. He has no military ability, but has shown sense enough in previous campaigns not to Interfere with the plans of Obregon and other experts.

Obregon is undoubtedly the man of the hour in Mexico. If he were not unswervingly loyal to Carranza he could seize the reins of government and become himself dictator. But he is as true to the bearded first chief as a good dog is to its master. He is unlike most Mexicans, a big, breezy, youthful fellow —he is only thirty-nine—who reminds one more of an American westerner than of the sordid, dissolute, brutal type so often found in high places in the southern republic. Like Villa, he is a man brought to the command of an army without regular military training and rising by the simple genius he possessed. He has been called the Clncinnatus of Mexico. He comes of an old Sonora family and is wealthy. Mexico’s troubles found him a peaceful farmer, known to but a few people in Sonora. He aided the revolution of Francisco Madero against Porflrlo Diaz in many ways, but did not ■take the field.

Obregon's Fame Spreads. When In the early months of Madero’s term of office Pascual Orozco and his “reds” became a terror In the state of Chihuahua, Obregon collected a band of 400 Maya Indians and under the command of Vlctorlano Huerta, then a Madero general, went out to quell the rebellion. In the battle of Ojlto, Obregon’s men gained for themselves the title of "Invincibles.” His fame spread, and so many came to join him that he rode home at the head of an army of 4,000. He was made colonel in the Sonora state militia, and when Felix Diaz started the military uprising which resulted in the death of President Madero and the seating of Huerta, Obregon organized 500 Indians and routed the garrison at Nogales, which had gone over to HuertaSoon after this Governor Carranza of Coahuila was declared first chief of the Constitutionalist army and he made Obregon general of the army of the West, while Villa became general of the central army.

It was the activities of Obregon in the Vicinity of Mexico City which forced Huerta to flee for his life. Obregon then occupied the capital with his troops. ' _ Then came Villa’s break with Carranza. Obregon was made Carranza’s chief general, and organized the largest army Mexico had yet seen. His great triumph came at the battle of Celaya, where Villa was crushed and forced to flee. ° • In this battle Obregon was desperately wounded. His right arm was amputated a few days later? His robust constitution resulted in quick re-

covery, and he was soon again directing the operations which reduced Villa to a flying bandit leader, at the head of only a handful of cutthroats. Six feet tall, immaculately dressed, smiling and clean-cut, Obregon is a man well liked by all who come In contact with him. Mexico’s troubles are due to having too few men like him.

General Obregon.