Bisbee daily review., 1905-09-24
NEW YORK WRITER
 STATES HIS AUTHORITY
For Articles Sent to his Paper Writing of Conditions in
 New Mexico

It will be remembered that recently Las Cruces, N. M.. and the territory generally were greatly wrought up over an article appearing in the New York Times. written by Gilson Will let's, entitled The Most un-American Part of Our Union." and that a mass indignation meeting was held and res olutions passed, copies of which went to the Times. Now comes Willetts with an answer to the Las Cruces protest, which follows:
 To the Editor of the New York Times
 In answer to the protest of citizens of Las Cruces. N. NJ, relating to state ments in my article in The Times oi Sunday, August 20, The Most m American Part of our Union" 1 beg to say:
 l. That for more than two wee xs last spring lived in Las Cruces.
 ?. That each and every statement in my article was told to me by one or the other of three responsible citi Zens-two of Las Cruces, the third of Socorro. Others also told me simi- lar stories of conditions.
 3. That 1 was not seeking the story of the most unAmerican territory" The various facts that compromise it were told to me day after day volun- tarily. The facts thus given me were known commonly to others besides my actual informants.
 f. That as the very nature of the article shows that to divulge the names of my informants would lead to their imperilment in their own com T r can secure letters from these persons, tconfidential for The Times) I will, of course, place them in the hands of The Times.
 5. That as the protest from Las Cruces characterizes my article in it's entirety as a falsehood. I will take the more important statements made by me in the article. one by one, to show in each case the possibility of yerifications.
 A-Little English spoken at Dona Ana. This was a personal experience in company with two friends from New Orleans. Can easily be verified by any visitor.
 B-County seat governed by Mexi- cans. The official county record will show this. C-SpaDish the prevailing language in law court. Surely this is natural Tn a community where so many speak no English.
 D-Only three Americans in grand Jury at Las Cruces. the remainder be- ing Mexicans or half-breeds. A fact given to me night after night by an American doctor having daily dealings with the grand jury.
 E-Chief of police a faro dealer This man keeps the Majestic saloon in the main street of Las Cruces.
 F-Senator Beveridge and the Mex ican superintendent of education, who knew not Columbus. This story told me by one who had no reason to joke.
 fDistrict attorney as assassin of four men. Told me by lawyer of So- eorro. whose life the said official had threatened. Travelled with the law yer from Las Cruces to Fl Paso, spent 2 day with him. and he repeated the details in this case over and over, while told him I would tell the story in prirt.
 H.-"Shooting up" the dance at So- zorro. Told ne by the lawyer men 
 Killing of sheepmen by cattle men. For years war for the range has been waged in the southwest. It is not all over. A dozen different persons at Las Cruces spoke to me of the murders in the Organ Mountains. Gov. Otero mentions many murders in his annual reports.
 J-Mexicans opening mail or confis- eating letters of persons disliked. A story often repeated for my informa- tion.
 K-The making of attorneys-at-iaw of men who know nothing of law. Told to me by the lawyer of Las Cruces already referred to.
 L-SmallpOx child put in bedwith patients. heard this as often in Old Mexico as in New Mexico That doc tors smallpox bill is public record.
 M-The dance of the Pueblo h. dians, and little girls dancing until unconscious. Told to me by eye witness.
 Finally. spent the first four months of this year in the Southwest and Mexico, of which over two weeks were spent in Las Cruces. Mrs. Will let's was with me. and to her were told the same stories.
 Above all, if The Times can send a correspondent to Las Cruces and So zorro, he will secure not only full verifications of my statements, but additional stofies of conditions in New Mexico-pOlitical and social that will amaze the country and throw more light on why New Mexico has So long been refused admission to the Union, and why Arizona objects so strenuously to being made one with her neighboring territory.
 GIBSON WILLLETS.