"SPANISH BLOOD"

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13414, 16 February 1907, Page 2 (Supplement)

"SPANISH BLOOD"

A SOCIETY MURDER IN MEXICO. That Mexico has advanced greatly in point of civilisation during the past ten or twenty years none can deny, but occasionally the community is shocked by a crime -which shows that the old leaven yet exists, and that the fiery Spanish blood still manifests itself in deeds of violence.

Such an instance was afforded in Mexico city recently, when, in a fashionable and crowded restaurant, known as the Cafe Colon, two members of the highest social circles in Mexico became involved in an altercation of the most trivial nature, with the result that one, named Pedro Castilla, fatally shot his friend, Eduardo Carrera. The whole affair was so sudden that the numerous spectators could scarcely realise that so terrible a tragedy had occurred. According to Pedro Castilla's own confession he slew his friend merely because " lie refused to drink to the health of his (Castilla's) companions.'' Several of Mexico's best-known society members were present, including Mr. Martinez del Campo, Secretary of the Mexican Legation in London, who only arrived from England on leave of absence four days previously. Mr. Rincon Gallardo, whose j father was formerly Chamberlain to the Emperor Maximilian, was another witness. Senor Carrera was a well-known and highlyrespected " abogado," or lawyer, while the confessed assassin is a handsome young fellow of an equally good family and of considerable means.* No doubt every effort will be made to rescue him from a felon's fate; but, as happened; recently in the case of young Rosalio Millan, who shot his mistress, Micaela, Diaz, the Presidejotj may reI fuse jto. interfere.