Real object is socialism

N º 201

AHSRE L-E-953 F. 317 y 317 bis

The Arizona Republican, Phoenix, Arizona

22 de febrero de 1911.

Real object is socialism

Avowed Aim of the Western Insurrectos

Would found a utopia

The Insurgent Leaders Declare that They Have no Connection With Mexican Insurrectionary Movement.

Mexicali, feb. 21. Independent of all other revolutionary movements or leaders, the Mexican insurrection now centered here is a socialistic affair, with the object of establishing in Lower California a Utopia, which, though born amid the singing of bullets, ultimately is to know no bloodshed or warfare of men or money.

This was the assertion for the first time made openly today by both leaders of the insurrectos, Leyva and Berthold. The success of the movement admittedly depends entirely upon the results of the agitation and the support of socialists and the Industrial Workers of the World in the United States. Berthold said the aid of both organizations had been sought by him last week, when he secretly crossed the line and went to Los Angeles.

Leyva, the sef styled commander in chief of the “Army of Liberation”, paved the way today for a manifesto setting forth the real object and purposes of the movements, when he stated that he recognized no superior among the other revolutionary leaders now operating in Mexico. Later Berthold, in a warm interview with Captain Conrad Babcock, commanding the United States cavalry, and Mayor Rockwood of Calexico, asserted frankly that the revolutionary movement was to establish in Lower California a socialistic commonwealth which would be a commonwealth in reality, where there would be no such thing as profit and where the man who works with his hands would be supreme. Identical sentiments were enthusiastically echoed by the men of the army, a large majority of whom are Americans who claim affiliation either with the I.W.W. or with socialist organizations.

Simultaneously clamps were put on news sources, and the Associated Press correspondent was informed by Berthold that he represented a capitalistic organization, and it being such he would not receive answers to his questions.

Leyva forthwith denied that he had sent today a telegram to President Taft protesting against permission being given the Mexican federals to travel over American territory and though it was positively known that he had done so.

Leyva declared that he was silent on the advice of American friends. One of these friends, seen often in the bull pen camp of the insurgents, was John Kenneth Turner, a magazine writer, who is said to have had much to do with the stirring up of the revolutionary sentiment in Mexico. Turner has spent the last four days almost constantly in the company of rebel leaders, but he left last night with the statement that he was bound for Ensenada. It is not believed, however, that he will run the risk of falling into the hands of the Mexican authorities.

Berthold's declaration was accompanied by a dictum to Captain Babcock and Major Rockwood that the Americans will have to care for the wounded in future battles, whether they wanted to or not.

“The Red Cross has donated $1,000 to the cause,” he said. “We will take the wounded and sick to the line, and you must treat them or let them die. We have no hospital facilities nor means of procuring them.”

The scouting party sent out today reported capturing a train on the Inter California road below Packard station, five miles southeast. This is the train which the rebels believed a small federal force was attempting to intercept for the purpose of transporting troops.

No trace of any large force of government troops was found, and the rebels were relieved of anxiety in that direction. It is expected that the insurgents will start a campaign against Ensenada tomorrow. Two more federal dead were found today on the line of Vega's retreat about a mile and a half southwest of the battlefield. The bodies were half covered with mud on the side of an irrigation canal, where they fell and were abandoned by their fleeing comrades. This makes the federal losses six killed.

Capture of Andrade

Chief of Police Killed and Custom House Captured.

Andrade, Cal., feb. 21. Twenty six insurrectos from Mexicali began shooting up Algodones, a small town in Mexico near this place, tonight.

The chief of police was killed and a Mexican customs officer seriously wounded. The bullets from the rifles of rebels flying into Andrade caused a panic among the inhabitants. Algodones is twelve miles from Yuma.

The rebels, said to be under command of Captain William Stanley, captured a train on the Inter California railroad at Packard, and hurring to Algodones, began shooting on their arrival. Chief of Police Garzo fell dead at the first volley. The rebels then stormed the custom house, with Inspector Belendez in charge. Several bullets pierced his body. It is not known how seriously he is wounded.

The capture of the custom house, the killing of Garzo and the flight of the entire police force did not result in a cessation of firing. The excited insurrectos kept volleying and a hall of bullets flew over this town. The people of Algodones flew over the line for protection on American soil.

The insurgents tore down all telegraph lines westward, cutting off all communication between Algodones and other stations on the Inter California.

The insurgents ceased firing and left at 8 p.m. Andrade is in charge of a detachment of the first United States cavalry.

Suspected spies

Two Americans to be tried at Tijuana Today.

San Diego, feb. 21. Two Americans, young men of good appearance, are in jail at Tijuana and will be tried tomorrow morning on the charge of being insurgent spies. The Mexican authorities refuse to give the names of the prisoners. This is the positive statement made over the telephone by a correspondent of the Union tonight. He reached Tia Juana early this evening, and telephoned as stated.

Less than an hour later, the commandant gave him peremptory orders to remain in doors. He was permitted however, to go to the telephone again and explain that he would not be allowed to send any further information. It is not thought that he is in any danger, but all who crossed the line today were notified by the American officers on this side of the border that they were taking risks in going over.

All sorts of exciting reports have been coming from the Tia Juana border today. One was that three Americans were under arrest and it is thought that if the insurgents wish the town they can easily take it. They may prefer, however, to march to Ensenada direct.

The Mexican authorities assert that the man arrested Sunday evening as a rebel emissary is not an American as reported, but a Mexican.