END OF PICTURESQUE RUFFIAN.

Taihape Daily Times, 1 July 1919, Page 3

END OF PICTURESQUE RUFFIAN.

-._.._(,_____ The Mexican '\:xOV‘0l'l1ll1(‘llt has con. firmed the report of the d-e-at-h of General Emiliano Zapata. This redoubt.able bandit revolutionary fell in bame with the Carranzist troops at Cuautia, Morelos, which lies about forty- six miles south-east of Mexico City. Zapata began his career as a bandit in the days when trouble began to Surge round the Iron President, Porfirio Diaz. The opposition was Maderist, so Zapata threw in his lot. with M 3..del'o, and earned a reputation for mu. tality and cruelty that distinguished him even frorn others of his fraternity. He took to the hills in Southern Mexico. and carried on war against every. co, and carried on war against. the Government by plundering everybody and everything he met. Trains were held up and the passingers robbed, raids were made on ranches and the cattle carried off, Like a true barbarian, Zapata decorated himself with his gold and silver booty. His fingers were covered with rings; his hat a.nd clothes were ablaze with jewels. Zapata, despite his reputation, was too valuable a lieutenant for Madero to ignore him. He conferred the rank of general on the bandit, and left him to continue his career of murder in South ern,;\lexico. Even Medero’s accession to the Presidency did not put a stop to Z-apata’:s orgy of terror in South Mexico. He continued to be a bandit through every change of President, though for a time he acted in consort with General Villa against the Caranza. GeV~ernlnent.. and. pm,-sunlaDl_\y'. acquiesced in the proclamation of Guitierre as I’resi.dent. Anyrow, the two cut-tln-outs, Zapata and Villa, took the opportunity togther of extendin_s_>; their outrages to I\:i.e.\'i:'o City, fl'(')‘.;l

which they were eventually driven by the Caranzists. Zapata, however, once more sueeeeded in advancing to the capital, pro claimed 3, President, Garza or Gaieia, but had to retreat a week or so later, when the Caranzists again advanced. -Since then Zapata has mainly confined his attentions to the mountainous regions of Sou-th-eastern Mexico, where he has, 'hitherto, defied all efforts of the Carzinza Government. to bring him to book.