Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1910-12-07
FRIENDS CLAIM STEP IS
VtNGtFUL ACT OF DIkZ
Under direction of Government of
Mexico the Prominent Publisher is
-Hevolu ionary Leaders Believe
Newspaper Attack Is Cause.
(By Associated PIess)


WASHINGTON, ID. C., Dec. 6.-The
provisional arrest of Juan Sanchez
Azcona, once n member of the Mexi-
can congress, journalist and a men,
her of one of the best known families
of Mexico. was procured here today
by direction OF the department of JUS
lice on representation made to the
state department by the Mexican
government declaring that a warrant
with a charge of obtaining money I'M
der false pretenses had been issued
for him in Mexico and that documents
containing further details were on
their way to Washington.
In accordance with the convention
of 1899 between the United States
and Mexico. providing for provisional
arrests pending the arrival of war
rants With full charges 10 determine
extradition. Azcona was taken into
custody by a United States marshal
No political significance, it was stat
ed at the Mexican embassy, attaches
TO the arrest, but Gustavo A. Madero,
supported by friends of Azcona here.
charged that The circumstances of
the case are trivial" and that behind
it all is the vengeful purpose of the
Diaz administration TO get possession
of Azcona because of his acknowledge
ed connection with anti-Diaz news
paper attacks of the last three years"
He Expected the Move.
AZcona cane here November 21st
l-f
consultations with Francisco Madero
leader of the Mexican revolution.
were an open secret. He had been
associated here with Gustavo A. Ma
dero. a brother of the revolutioniSt
leader. vino is the repres entatiye in
Washington of the insurrectionists.
Azcona declared tonight that he had
been cognizant of the intentions of
the Mexican government but had
made no effort TO evade its opera
tons. He said that the incident with
which charges have been preferred
against him occurred four years ago
and tha; his part in the affair was
merely as witness.
How Case Started.
He asserted that while employed
as manager of lei Biarer a newspa-
per in Mexico City. large number
of contributions were received by
that paper for the entertainment OF
the poor of the Mexican capital. The
funds were insufficient. however. Az
coma alleged. and were turned over
to 4 committee OF prominent women
OF. Mexico City for disburs ement
among the poor. Another newspaper
of opposite political preferences. he
said. charged that the money had
been diverted from the original pur-
pose of the donors. Azcona declared
that after due judicial investigation,
in which he appeared as a witness.
the case was dropped.
Compelled to Leave.
Later. he said. ne founded "Neuvo
Mexico" and began a series of at
lacks on the Diaz administration
which caused IT'S suppression three
times and finally it, coniscation six
months ago and. he. as its editor. was
compelled to leave the country. He
admitted that since then he had not
reIented in his attacks on President
Diaz and that he was in close touch
with the operations OF the revolution
lists. Counsel for Azcona declared to-
night that a vigorous fight against ex-
tradition would be made.