The Washington times., 1911-05-29


Dunn, an American, under arrest on
charges of fomenting a plot to assassi-
nate Madero and re-establish dictator
ship similar to that enjoyed by Diaz, it
is believed today that one of the prin-
cipal obstacles to Madero's rulership has
| been removed.
Dunn and De Villars are said by the
Madero lieutenants to have used the
names of persons high in the Cientifco
party as the authority for their negotia-
tons. They promised General Villjoen
$4,000. General Orozco is declared to
have been promised any amount or
money he wished and the command Of
the northern zone of Mexico.
Story of Plot.
Gen. Benjamin Villjoen, who is re-
sponsible for the arrests. gave out to-
day the story of the alleged plot.
Dan de Villars, who is now under ar
rest in Ell Paso. came of rich family
in the Transvaal," he said. Il met
him there during the Boer war. He
had a good reputation as a soldier, and
was highly respected. He went to Mex
iso several years ago, and married an
American girl in Mexico City. They
have two children.
Eight days ago he wired from Mex
leo City that he had a scheme whereby
he could make a lot of money. l did
not reply, but he came on to Ell Paso.
He came to my hotel, and told me
that he could get $4,000 for me and
SIS, 900 for Orozco, Madero's favortte
general, if we would turn on Madero,
convince his men that he could not
succeed, and then lead them in an in
surrection against him.
Told Madero.
st told Madero about the plan and
Madero told me to go ahead and lead
De Villars on. did as Madero ordered.
Mrs. Villjoen helped me. We dlned
with de Villars and took him out auto
mobile riding, aud finally he gave me
$500 on account and he gave Orozco 500.
He told us that Coahula man was
LIFTING up the money and that he want
ed us to let him know on what train
Iadero woull start for Mexico City.
De VillarS told Us that the man hal
caid that If he knew what train Ma
dero would .ravel. some one would XIII
him en- rou.e. While Madero was on
the train between CnareZ and Mexico
CITY we were to seize JGareZ.
DE Villars told me there were 200 men
in the federal army at Mexico City ana
on the Mexico City police force who un-
derstood the situation, and at a signal
would seize Mexico City from de la
Barra and the friends of Madero.
Hitch In Payment.
There was some hitch about the
pavmcnt of the rest of the money,
though De Villars received many tele-
grams telling him to go ahead and
n
cost. Finally w. ]. Dunn, an Ameri-
can from Mexico City, who was help
ing De Villars in the plot. started for
Mexico City to straighten out the
matter. William Smith, detective,
was put on Dunn's trail. He secured
copies of all the kilograms sent by
Dunn to De Villars and others and
they will be used as evidence In
court.
For eight days l and the others
who were forced to mix up In this
despicable business, carried guns hid
den in our clothes because we knew
that If there was a slip before an
arrest, somebody would have to suf-
fer as a betrayer. l understand now
that De Villars felt the same way
about it and that big revolver was
found on him when he was arrested.
After he was arrested he sent for
me to help him out He doesn't know
vet that | helped to lead him into the
trap. But we had to do II.
1T was the only way to save Madero
life. I am convinced they would have
killed him."
wife's Story.
Mrs. ViIljoen did much to aid her hus-
band in cultivating the friendship Of
De VilIars.
Il knew they were scamps," said Mrs.
ViIljoen But we had to mislead them
10, o,-In hair
end their plans. Its too bad, too, Mrs
De Villars is fine little woman. Only
the other day Mr. De Villars showed
me letter which his wife wrote to
him, in which she said that the Coahuila
man who Villars said was at the base
of the plot had dined with her and her
children, and told her that her husband
was doing thing that would make him
a great man in Mexico. I'm awfully
sorry for Mrs. De Villars, but 1t could
not be helped"
Representatives of Madero, after
| long conference with De Villars Satur-
day night, decided 1t best to secure
warrant for him in the United States
He was arrested in the lobby of his
hotel.
Madero's Statement.
Francisco Madero, ST.. father of the
leader, said today:
This is only another instance of d.
vine interposition. My sons life has
been saved by miracles more than
score of times in the last three months.
This plot might have succeeded, only
my sons enemies got hold of two faith
| full men by mistake.
II believe the plot was made by the
| Cientificos, who represent the money
| and grating interests or Mexico. [
| know the leader OF the plot we'll. MY
| father once made his father governor of
| Coahuila but the governor proved In
| efficient and failed of reelection. The
mans family has a grudge against US"
IDoIo Rorro DoY,1ioc fn