Description:

Zapata Emiliano

Emiliano Zapata TLS Regarding Counterrevolutionary Felix Diaz, Recently Returned from Exile and Mobilizing near Veracruz

 

2pp TLS in Spanish on watermarked and stamped paper on "Ejercito Liberatador, Cuartel General" or "Liberation Army of the South General Headquarters" letterhead signed by Mexican revolutionary leader Emiliano Zapata (1879-1919) as "Emiliano Zapata" at top of second page. Elaborate signature with flourishes to "E" and "t" in near fine condition but a few shades light. In very good condition overall, with uniform toning and heavy show from purple typewriting on either side. Expected paper folds, some worn. The legal sized page measures 8.5" x 13.25."

 

This document provides us with a frightening glimpse of the Mexican Revolution in full swing. Between 1910-1920, conditions had deteriorated into a full-fledged and bloody civil war as presidents and revolutionary leaders alike were elected, assassinated, and overthrown in alarmingly quick succession. Socialist partisans like Zapato, and Felix Diaz (1868-1945), the nephew and political successor of long-term Mexican dictator Porfirio Diaz (1830-1915), jockeyed for power. Each leader represented his own political, socio-economic, and regional agenda. In general, revolutionaries like Zapata wanted radical change, like empowering indigenous peasants, while reactionaries like Diaz wanted a return to pre-Revolutionary rule.

 

Zapata issued this circular on June 7, 1916 from his stronghold Tlaxcuapa (now Tlaxcuapan) in the central-southern state of Puebla. In the document, Zapata reaffirmed his commitment to the principles of the Revolution (Reform, Freedom, Justice, and Law) and condemned Diaz as counterrevolutionary. Interestingly, Zapata employs the same language in this circular as also appears in his part manifesto/part agenda the Plan de Ayala (1911). Zapata identifies "los hacendados, cientificos y caciques" (landowners, technocrats/intellectuals and bosses) as the common enemy. In the circular, these are the people who would benefit from Diaz's successful counterrevolution; in the latter document, these are the people who stymy peasants' efforts to gain access to land and wealth.

 

In 10 bullet points of instructions, Zapata stressed the importance of intelligence and security. His subordinates were commanded to report all of Diaz's movements, launch their own pro-Zapata public relations campaign, and destroy Felicista propaganda.

 

The translated circular reads in part:

 

“This Headquarters has news that known reactionary leader Felix Diaz, nephew of dictator Porfirio Diaz, has landed on the Veracruz coast and made contact with the State of Oaxaca; he comes to the country with the purpose of making a counter-revolution in favor of the landowners, technocrats/intellectuals and bosses…This movement threatens the principles of the Revolution, and therefore it is urgent to be on guard and guard against the new faction…who only try to regain power for Porfiristas, Huertistas, landowners, bosses, and friends of these.

 

For this reason the Headquarters orders you comply with the following instructions…It is strictly forbidden for commanders, officers and soldiers of the Liberation Army to enter talks, conferences, or arrangements of any sort, whether verbal or correspondence, with individuals belonging to the faction led by General Felix Diaz…Do not permit for any reason the Felicistas' entrance to the area controlled by the Liberation Army, and if a force of them intends to invade, they will be beaten and expelled by force of arms as if dealing with a Carrancista force, as both factions are equally enemies of the revolution…Prevent any Felicisimo leaders from doing any kind of propaganda in the revolutionary zone and therefore collect and destroy any copies of the manifestos, plans and other documents published by Felix Diaz and his supporters…Collect all weapons, ammunition and items intended for the enemy Felicista…Explain to the townspeople the true tendencies of Felicisimo, and make today more than ever active propaganda of our ideals. To this end distribute in all populations the manifestos, newspapers and writings from this Headquarters…Reprint and circulate the Plan de Ayala and Agrarian Law…Individuals who violate any of these orders will be punished by this Headquarters and will be regarded as treason to the revolutionary cause.”

 

Diaz escaped from a life prison sentence in 1913 to participate in the coup d'etat against sitting President Francesco I. Madero (1873-1913). He had just returned from exile in May 1916 to lead his "National Reorganizer Army" against many enemies: Zapata, Pancho Villa (1878-1923), Victoriano Huerta (1845-1916), and Venustiano Carranza (1859-1920) among others. Ultimately, Diaz was not successful and retreated to southern Mexico. Zapata would be assassinated in 1919. It would be many long years until the Mexican Revolution ended.

 

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