MEXICAN CHIEFTAIN.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10442, 23 April 1912, Page 2

MEXICAN CHIEFTAIN.

REBEL'S MIX ill> CAUKIOE. AN ARMY nivSKHTKR. Should the rebellion inaugurated by Emiiiano Zapata result, in the overthrow ol t)K> Maclero Government, there would bo added to Mexico's history a chapter that is unique, in this country, writes a correspondent in Mexico to a Mow Orleans paper. Previous revolutions haro received their impetus from men of liiyh intelligence and usually of culture. Zapata's most advanced point in tho social plane was that of an itinerant merchant, a peddler. Officially his name has ben -written on tho records of this country prior to tho Madero revolution as that of a private in the Mexican army. There is one more entry, that recording his desertion from the army.

Those unacquainted with Zapata frequently make tho mistake of styling him ail illiterate. This is not true. The man can road and write, and has the rudiments of a common school education. Added to this, ho possesses a shrewdness which, combined with a stubbornness, a personal magnetism and a bravery which no one denies, makes him a person truly formidable. Zapata was born in Ayala. He is between thirty-five, and forty years of age. Practically 110 Spanish blood contributed to his personal appearance, although a long, heavy moustache and stature somewhat greater than that of an ordinary peon betray the fact that he is not a pure Indian. His skin is that of the ordinary Mexican Indian, while his taciturnity is moro than that of tho .North American aborigine. His enforced patriotic serrico to his country came to an end in just 0110 year. He was in gaol in Ayala during the early part of the Madero revolution. One night there -was a delivery, and Zapata, at the head of a handnil of men -who had been his companions in tho little prison, declared himself a leader in the cause of Madero. Contriving to_ get word to one-of the revolutionary juntas, he offered his services. He received the thanks of this body, but was told that 110 more money could be expended at that timo for the equipment of additional troops in the south.

Zapata said not a word, but returned to the mountains about his boyhood homo and ordered his followers to join him in attacking a neighbouring village guarded by a mere handful of ruralefi. _ They overthrew the guard, seizod their arms and liberated the prisoner.s, whom Zapata had little difficulty hi persuading to join his uprising. This action was repeated time and again, tho only change being that each successive assault was made on a larger garrison, until Zapata's army of rebels had attained a size that mado it one of the most formidable fighting forces south or Mexico City. Tho revolutionary ,junta was now glad to take advantage oi tho services of Zapata, and ho was ordered to report to General Ambrosio figueroa, Commander in Chief of tho army of the south.

Between Figueroa and Zapata there has always been a deep-seated antagonism. Figueroa is a man of education and of somo military training. Between him and Zapata there could bo nothing in common. As leader of the army of the south, Figueroa was entitled to credit for the southern campaign, which so nearly resulted in the capture of Mexico City itself. As a matter of fact, a great part of tho credit was really due to Zapata. The antagonism resulted in jealousy on the part of both, and so it was that an attempt made late in the day to pacil'v the people of Morelos by* installing Figueroa aa Governor only made Zapata the more determined to overthrow the central Government which he had fought to establish. Steadily his forces grew as they had during the days of Madero's revolt, until, oil February 1 of this year, he found himself at the head of forces to such numbers as to cause the Federal Government to send against him a large part of the Government troops. By that time he had changed his propaganda to include grievances whose righting he declared could bo accomplished only by tho overthrow of Madero. His " Plan of Ayala," written by a school teacher upon whom he had bestowed the title of colonel, calls for Emilio Yasquez Gomes to occupy the Presidency. For himself ho asks nothing more than the privilege of fighting.

That Zapata is a ruffian pure and simple is not altogether true. Attired always in tho eloso-fitting trousers of the charro costume, bolero coat and peaked sombrero, silent and distrustful, he is not a man to grace a diplomatic reception at Chapultepec, and his men, wandering in bands far from his headquarters, oftentimes have committed atrocities which place them beyond the outposts of civilisation, but rarely havo such barbarous acts been attributed to Zapata. On the contrary, thcro are stories of leniency and of a rough courtesy which, if true, must cause one to 'believe that tho leader of this new rebellion is a man who has been painted in too vivid colours.