New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-06-30
GENERAL STURM,s CLAIM.
MINISTER RoMERo's LETTER ON HENDEnsoN's
CHARGES.

CHARGES
Washington, June 20 SpeciaD.-Mr Romero, the
Mexican Minister here, has written letter to the
Editor Of The Indianapolis News in which he takes
up In detail the recent charges against Mexican OIL
Gals In connection with the claim OF General sturm
made by william Henderson, Of Indianapolis AS the
Sturm claim and the accusations Of fraud and bribery
which 1t has developed have already led to great deal
OF discussion portions of Minister Romero's letter will
probably prove Of general interest In his letter he
says:
have read in the Of your paper Of June "a Mr.
william Hendersons statement In regard General
Sturms claim against Mexico. and the letter.
without date he inserts therein, addressed by him TO Mr.
d. Macn, OF Mexico whom he sometimes calls
Secretary OF the Treasury sometimes Assistant Secretary
but has now. and had before that position
The second statement Of Mr. Henderson contains nothing
which had already been embraced In his first pub
lished In THE News OF the 18th inst excepting the
mention of and few additional details. As
this matter has been brought TO public notice. beg
do the favor Of inserting in your paper this letter.
intended to that Mr.. Henderson has not proved
the charges made. he says by General sturm, but
brought the public by himself against the integrity of
Mexican officials.
As his complaints and attacks have TO say that from
the statements that he has published and from his letter
TO Mr.. Macn appears that he made certain privats ar
with General Sturm which, in his opinion ana
taking his assertions correct not complied with,
and that General Sturm in order to excuse his failure
ed mplicate other and attacked the integrity
consented mako himself the mouthpieos of these
attacks when he does not seem himself certain OF their
correctness.
IL as he asserts he proofs that General sturm de-
ceived him regard to tbs amount which the Mexican
Government allowed the claim. this ought in my opn
ION 10 have ground enough for him not PLACE
belief in the other statements attacking the honor Of third
parties wholly unknown him. made 20 excuse or disguise
this deception, by person who had not spoken the truth
before. prudent and sensible would have
acted. in nv opinion.
Coming TO the charges, L hnd that they are really
three First that General S.um told Mr. Henderson that
for the purpose Of obtaining the necessary influence to have
his claim allowed and paid, he had to pay man named
Greenwood commission Of $4,000, 100000 Of which
had be paid in brbng Mexican Congressman and other
officials second that General Sum paid S4S20 10 Mr..
Francisco D. Macn and third that General Sturn told him
that he had obtained the influence Of tho Secretary Of the
Interior of Mexico giving him 10 understand that some
amount had been paid for the same.
The vagueness OF the first charge and circumstance
that It is made fraud committed Mr. Hen
dcrson says against him make unnecessary ~ treat
this matter seriously.
In regard to the second charge have to remark that
Mr. Henderson shows evidence whatever Of the delivery
Mr.. Mscn OF tho e. $50. He PROOF OF the
bribery the personal manifestations which Mr. Macin made
favor OF General Stum, which easily explained
taken into account that Mr.. Mscin attached to
the Mexican Legation at Washington when General Stun
appointed 1895 by General Carvaal agent for the
purchase OF and Is but natural that when General
sturm Mexico, TO obtain the payment OF HIS claim
services rendered then, those who knew him would
assisted him. But this does not show that they
acted through mercenary considerations.
Will state with reference 70 the third point that Mr.
Henderson does not direct charge and
he does the conviction fact
really existed but that General Sturm him
that the Secretary Of the Interior aiding and assisting
him secret and confidential way. and Infatuated that
he in his service Mr.. Henderson himself says in
his letter 20 Mr.. Macin that he did not believe &C. Mr.
Henderson to the 2sd Of last February and
him letters OF introduction TO the Secretaries OF
Foreign Affairs and the Treasury OF the Mexican Govern
ment recommending the payment the claim. He went
Mexico and he did not present letters when he
would. that way have obtained authorized information
about the credit Of General Sturm
consider suspicious also that the Mexican
Government should have allowed General Sturm $4,000
payment his services and s155s54 for expenses and
that ne knows but little Of the original nature
said claim and that he suspects everything that he does
not understand am not aware OF the details OF this
subject outside Of the province OF the Legation
under my charge but understand, by the personal
knowledge have, that the said $50 900 was allowed Gen
ern Stum in payment Of the services he rendered during
years acted General Carvajas agent for the
arms who assigned 10 him the salary Of bgader
general OF the Mexican Army, Wiz 81 900 and that
the S55 S54 represents the value OF which
General Stum stated he had bought for the Mexican Gov
20 Mexico but which reached their
destination the vessel which carried them ship
wrecked. These probably, the expenses to which
General Stum refers and all the vouchers of which, he
says he delivered 70 Mr. Mariscal Secretary OF Foreign
Affairs OF Mexico.
Mr.. Henderson attempts to make International
question personal dispute between himself and another
citizen the United States concerning pecunfary mat
ters when proper way 10 settle It would be 10 submit
to the decision competent courts OF this country
Before closing letter will state that II Mr. Hender-
son proofs bribery against MeScsn official
willingly tender him services TO lay them before the
proper Mexican authorities as TO make the guilty par
ties answerahe therefor but that he makes through hast,
any other motive serious charges affecting the honor
and standing OF persons unknown 10 him he the risk
Of being sued In his own country for hoel in accordance
with the OF his State. which DO not permit hon.
est persons 10 Be lireed with lmpunity.
General sturm who was in the City Of Mexico when
Mr. Henderson published his statements about reported
bribery Of Mexican officials In the of sturm's
claim against the Mexican Government grounded ON
information said 10 have been received nom sturIn,
wrote a lettT TO President Diaz dated on June %,
which has been teegraphed TO the Mexican Legation