Los Angeles herald., 1909-10-19
which the American Magazine is now
publishing under my name"


which the American Magazine is now
publishing under my name.
A Peaceful Resident
Asked about De Lara's political or
philosophical beliefs Mr.. Turner said;
de Lara is not an anarchist. l have
known him for over two years. Dur
ing that time he has been peaceful
resident of Los Angeles. l am as
sured he has lived here for more than
three years. The only time he mas
been away from California was when
he was in my employ during our trip
to Mexico. 1 am convinced the MeX1-
can authorities are making tremen-
dous efforts to get De Lara across the
line De Lara has frequently eX-
pressed himself to me as being OPP
posed to the theories. of anarchism. |
know him to be unalterably opposed
to violence and bloodshed. He is
frankly in favor of political freedom
in Mexico and that alone would be
considered as sufficient cause for the
Mexican government to seek his re-
moval.
Death Believed Certain
According to present plans, De Lara
will be held in Jail until next Monday,
when he will be taken before Albert
C. Ridgway, inspector In charge OF the
local United States immigration OF
flee. At the hearing testimony will be
taken which will bear upon De Lara
political beliefs. A transcript of this
testimony will be forwarded to United
States immigration Commissioner
OKeefe, who will decide as to the
facts. If he finds there is warrant for
De Lara's deportation, Secretary Ma
gel of the department of commerce and
labor will be asked to approve the
proceedings. and De Lara will be sent
across the international border TO
what he, his friends and his attorneys
declare to be swift and certain death.
About three years ago, when po-
litical refugees who were charged with
having established the junta in Los
Angeles and directing their efforts
against the reelection of Diaz, were
arrested and confined in the Los An
geles jail on various charges ranging
from John Doe murders" time, place
and names not specified, to splitting on
the sidewalks of the streets of the
city of Mexico, De Lara was taken
into custody. Later he was released
upon request of Oscar LaWler, then
United States district attorney. who
said there was not the slightest iota
of evidence connecting De Lara with
any revolutionary plans.
According to Mr.. De Lara's friends,
the efforts of the hired agents of the
Mexican government operating in Cali
ifornia were not exhausted. Charge
after charge was preferred against the
political refugee in an effort to Sc
cure his eXtradition to Mexico. one
charge was that he had been guilty
of splitting on Mexican sidewalks. An
other one was that he had stolen, or
had conspired to steal, a cord of wood
After months in Jail De Lara was
given his freedom. These friends de-
clare that he has been under hourly
surveillance by detectives in the en-
ploy of the Mexican government.
Family Is Well Known
De Lara's family is we'll known in
Mexico. He has several brothers who
are influential men there, though they
do not agree with him politically. AS
an attorney, he practiced several years
in the City of Mexico. OF decided liter
ary tastes, he turned to writing, and it
was through a book entitled "The
Bribers that he first incurred the
enmity of the authorities. He was not
a liberal at that time, but afterward
became affiliated with that party
De Lara's ancestors were liberators,
his great grandfather fought under
Hidalgo for the original independence
of Mexico and was sent to Washington
as an official envoy during the presi-
dency of George Washington.
One week ago Sunday afternoon, the
day before the arrival Of President
Taft, a meeting was held at the Plaza
at which there were many speakers
and many peculiar statements made.
Mr.. de Lara was one of the speakers,
but he spoke on Socialism. What others
said or did is absolutely unknown to
him. he says. But he, with others, was
arrested and held in jail until last
Wednesday, when he was released on
$50 bail. The charge against him was
disturbing the peace. When the case