The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-04-06
DEFENSE OF DOWIE
ELIJAH III RIDICULEs ZION CITY
 DEPOSITION.
Is Eu Route to the United States and VIII Make Vigorous Fight to Regain the Control of
 ARaira.

Mexico City, April 5.-John Alexan- der Dowie. the first apostle of the Christian Catholic Church of Zion City, left here with his party tonight for Chicago. where he will confront the To- eau leaders who have attempted a re- volt against him. Dowie was in good health and spirits and indignant at the conduct of the men. who. according to letters in his possession. were profess the loyalty to him within the past week.
 In an interview with the Associated Press representatives. given at his ho- tel this evening, he reviewed the history of Zion church and spoke of its spread, not only in the United States but in Europe. His hotel table held many telegrams of loyal assurances from fers of financial aid if required. These
 telegrams were very gratifying to Dowie, who spoke freely regarding those who have In his absence orga- nized a movement for his deposition, which he ridiculed as preposterous.
 He said he had selected as his best man Wilbur Glenn yeliva who had proved unfaithful. The trouble came to a climax as a result In part of his Mexican undertakings and his wife and so nagreed with those who made ob jections. He added that his son, al- though not bad man. did not walk in his (Dowie's) ways. He said that his followers thought he was going to die and in fact seemed a little sorry that he did not, and now opposed his re- turning to Zion City. He ridiculed the idea that those he had appointed could dismiss him, who had appointed them.
 One of the points at issue between Dowie and his men of affairs was that he desired to dismiss his general f- nancial manager. Alexander Granger. who, he asserted. was incompetent and failed to appreciate his relations to his superior.
 Dowie spoke at length concerning the telegram of April 1. received Mon day. April 2, in which charges were made against him and in which was mentioned the action that caused his immediate preparations to return to Zion City. He warmly rcfuted the charges that he had been extravagant by declaring that he owned today the majority of shares m the Zion City bank and he declared with much earn estness that when the accounts would be adjusted he would have a goodly balance to his crecit.
 He then took up the charges brought against him of tyranny and remarked that like all business employers. he did not and would not tolerate incom- potency. He had been cnarged with in- justice, but said he had, during the last two years. from his own personal resources. made gifts to his people az gregating two hundred thousand dol lars. It was said he was extravagant when he had not drawn from Zion City's funds one thousand dollars dur ing the past six months. but on the contrary had loaned Zion City from outside resources ten thousand dol lars.
 Dowie then took up the charges of mismanagement brought against him and stated that the creation of assets over and above all liabilities of twen- ty million dollars in four years was hardly to be considered a stupendous failure. Land which had cost him less than s250 an acre he had never sold at less than three thousand dollars an acre. and some a high as twelve thou sand.
 Concerning the charges of polyga- nous teachings. Dowie stated that in none of his literature published was there any support of this doctrine. He said he was a sincere monogamist and had not contemplated itroducing po- lygamy into his Mexican colonies.
 Dowie went into a discussion of this matter from a biblical standpoint and insisted that he had never upheld any thing but strict monogamy. He ridi- culed the attempts of his younger men. left in charge of Zion City, to depose him. and speaking of this matter. showed fire and force.
 Nothing. he said. could keep him from going to Chicago to face crim- inal or other charges which had not the slightest basis. in fact. He humor- ously remarked that his deposition ar rived in Mexico April 1st, or April fools day. He appeared anxious to confront his opponents and felt conf dent of the loyalty of the great mass of his adherents.
 He took the Mexican National train at o'clock and will stop over one day for rest at San Antonio. Texas.
 During the afternoon at the hotel, many people arrived desiring to con verse with him. but he was busy ar ranging for his northward journey. He seemed in far better health than when he arrived in the country. He is fond of Mexico and feels grateful to the authorities for their kindness to him and fully expects 10 return here.