CRIME IN MEXICO

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVIII, Issue 208, 1 August 1928, Page 11

CRIME IN MEXICO

GENERAL OBREGON’S DEATH. PREVIOUS ATTEMPTS ON HIS LIFE. MEXICO CITY, July 20. During the late General Obregon’s presidency of Mexico, he did much for his country. It had been racked by revolution for eleven years. Ho brought to it a measure of peace. He organised the economic forces of the country, increasing production and foreign trade, and he improved the railway system. Ho set about eradicating the illiteracy of the lower adult classes, including the Indians. Obregon had been described as a combination of Napoleon, Washington and Wellington, j n ,t there was more colour in his life than either of those knew. He was a fearless leader, to whoso standard thousands rallied. Ho was bluff, brutal, and honest, hopeless ae an intriguer. Time and time again lie was jockeyed out of tho full .measure of credit due to him for his many victories. Carranza and his followers always took the praise.

ATTEMPTS ON LIFE. He often cheated death. On one occasion conspirators bribed a boy to sell him some poisoned cones of icecroam, but his Indian friends warned him. In sheer bravado he ordered the boj to help himself to one of the cones. Knowing that the cone was not poisoned, Obregon said “Oh, I’ll take that,” whereupon he handed the boy. another cone. The boy, sick with fear, confessed. The conspirators were summoned and given the cones. Ono died on the spot. Three or four others subsequently died. They may havo been shot—the official announcement was “ptomaine poisoning.” Another attempt was made on his life when' ho was visiting, under armed .escort, San Francisco. In tlio room next to his a variety actress was placed, with a liberal supply of poisoned wine. Ten thousand dollars was the price sho was paid to kill the Mexican. But Obregon was thoroughly domesticated and had married an old sweetheart. He gave the actress short thrift. Twice in November, 1927, attempts wero made on his life—once he was actually shot.