SLAIN PRESIDENT

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 410, 19 July 1928, Page 11

SLAIN PRESIDENT

CAREER OF OBREGON CHANGEFUL MEXICO (United P.A.—By Telegraph — Copyright) (Australian and N.Z. Press Association.) (United Service) MEXICO CITY, Wednesday. General Alvaro Obregon, the pre-sident-elect, who was assassinated, had come from his farm in Sonora to hold a demonstration. A train bearing 500 of his adherents to the capital was attacked yesterday, but there were no casualties. Last spring two rivals of Obregon for the Presidency were executed, after being found guilty of attempted revolution. Opponents of Obregon alleged that he and ex-President Calles had entered into an arrangement, by which they would serve as President of Mexico in turn, and that the execution of their opponents was part of a ruthless policy to carry out this scheme. It was Obregon’s victory over Francisco Villa in 1917 that helped to make Carranza the President of the Republic. Three years later he was the leader in the movement which overthrew the Carranza Government. Obregon in 1911 quelled the revolution of Pasqual Orosto in Chihuahua. Later, when President Madero was slain, and Huerta assumed the presidency, Obregon, who had retired to his farm, again became the military leader. In 1914 he defeated Villa at Celaya, after 33 days’ fighting. Obregon then became Minister of War, and in May, 1916, went to the border and negotiated with American officers for the withdrawal of the United States troops sent into Mexico after the Mexican raid into New Mexico on July 1. MINISTER KILLED

This year Obregon was elected President of Mexico and indicated his intention of continuing the policies of the President Calles. Obregon was the only candidate for the presidency. He was born in 1880, and was twice married. An unconfirmed report says infuriated friends of General Obregon shot and killed Senor Luis Morones, Minister of Industry, Commerce and Labour. The latter was at one time considered likely to oppose the general for the Presidency. A news censorship was established throughout Mexico this evening.