Foreign News: Outraged Banks

Grim Plutarco Elias Calles, Minister of War, sat in the public dining room of a hotel at Torreon, Mexico, last week, methodically chewing. Generals and businessmen leaned over the table, talking excitedly. General Calles, scowling, continued to eat.

The chief general of the rebel forces, Gonzalo Escobar, had just fled from Torreon before the advance of Calles and his three federal columns. Theirs was the victory, but it was a hollow one. The wily General Escobar had looted five Torreon banks of $510,000 before he left. General Calles could see the outraged banks from where he ate, their windows broken, their vaults violated and bare.

The news was flashed to President Fortes Gil in Mexico City.

Cried the shocked President, “Escobar and the others are just common criminals!” The U.S. Government promised to search all Mexicans crossing the border for looted gold.

Courtly Prelude. With General Calles at Torreon in the north, rebel commanders made a flank attack around the western wing of the federals and struck at Mazatlan, the chief Pacific port of Mexico, northwest of the capital. The leaders of this thrust were General Ramon (“Sacristan”*) Iturbe and heavy-jowled Francisco Manzo. Advancing from the north and obscurity they took their place in the news. Halting the army of about 5,000 men, “Sacristan” Iturbe entered a telephone booth and called General Jaime Carillo, defender of the seaport.

“In accord with the order; of Generals Manzo and Cruz and Topete,”I said General Iturbe curtly, “I invite you to enter into arrangements for the purpose of avoiding bloodshed.”

“Although I have no authorization,” Carillo answered, “and my honor as a soldier does not permit me to enter into discussions with such individuals that have lost all military decorum, I accept, nevertheless, these exchanges under condition that they refer to your unconditional surrender!”

“Then as that is your attitude, there is no way for us to submit any propositions. . . . I am sure that within a few hours Mazatlan will be in our power at the cost of not a few lives.”

“Mother of God! I have been able to hold my patience in the face of your shameless and cynical words, but not desiring to listen any longer I hereby draw to a close this conversation.”

A report of this courtly prelude to battle was forwarded to Minister of War Calles, and the battle was on, horse, foot and artillery.

At the height of the uproar, with both sides deadlocked, the federal gunboat Progresso steamed into the harbor and furiously pumped shells in the direction of the rebel lines.

Risking everything to capture the city before relief arrived, “Sacristan” Iturbe sent an infantry charge along the beach to force the harbor fortifications. Again the rebels were beaten back by machine gun fire.

A radio message came from U.S. Consul William P. Blocker during the height of the fighting: “My death is false. Please deny such a rumor.”

Contrary to Mexican custom, the battle raged through the night.

* So called because of his religious leanings. Governor Fausto Topete of Sonora, rebel state.