Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1912-07-10
Angefed Because Smelling
Company Had Stopped Pay
ment on Check, Orozco's
Men Intirnidate Americans.
TWENTY-FIVE MEN
SUBJECTED TO ARREST
American Representative of
State Department Deprived
of Liberty and Complications
May Arise.

by Morning journal special Leased Wire.I
Juarez. Mexico, July o.. twenty
nve Americans. including American
Consul Thomas -. Edwards, were
held in the office of the Mexico
Northwestern railroad here tonight
for nearly two hours while an armed
guard of rebels prevented them from
leaving the building.
Rebel officials had become angered
at the officers of the Mexican North
western on account of the alleged
worthlessness of a $4,000 check pay
able to the rebels as an export duty
on a consignment of gold ore by the
American Smelling and Refining com
pany in Chihuahua. The shipment
had arrived in Eel Paso but when the
rebels attempted to cash the $4,000
check given them by the Northwest
ern officials on behalf Of the Amer
lean Smelling and Refining company,
banks in FL Paso refused payment.
Since the check was given the fed
erals had entered Chihuahua city and
it is believed that the American
Smelling and Refining company inn
mediately stopped payment on IT,
knowing the rebels on account Of
their retreat would be unable to
trouble them further.
American Consul Edwards went to
the Northwestern office to confer
with IL. G. Perris, general manager
of the road Thomas Ryan, traffic
manager, and c. T. Carson, general
auditor The officials were in con-
ference at 5 O'Clock when they sud
denly found the doors of the building
surrounded hy u.'mtd men. In the
same building were the offices of the
Waters Pierce oil company but the
American employees OF that firm also
were not permitted to leave at the
usual hour, O'Clock.
There were forty persons in the
building but fifteen were Mexicans
American Consul Edwards from
within the garrison, telephoned for
Colonel Pascual Orozco. Sr., head OF
h e garrison who arrived In
a few minutes and ordered the
guards to release all minor employees.
The officers of the road were held
After a brief conference, the Amer
lean consul left. but the railroad Of
ficiaIs were closeted with Orozco for
some time Finally at 7 O'clock the
liberty and crossed to the American
side. It WAS said they had agreed to
make the check good.
Colonel Orozco declared the rail-
road officials had attempted TO
cheat the rebel government Of money
justly due"
The Mexican Northwestern rail
road is owned by British interests
I was not detained against my
wishes said American Consul Ed
wards tonight. Il merely went TO the
northwestern Offices to Investigate
thelr trouble over the payment of the |
American Smelling ana Refining
EompanNs check for export duties. |
] was in conference with the railroad |
Officers when we decided to call on
Colonel Orozco. The armed guards, |
who We're placed at all exits to the |
building, said they would permit me
to pass but not the railroad officials,
so we Went back into the office and |
tclephoned to Colonel Orozco To- come
and see u.s.
Mr.. Edwards declared he informed |
tOlOnel Druzco that the Northwestern /
officials, including Mr.. Carson the
auditor who presented the check 10
the rebels. had performed their duty
properly and were hamclcss Mr.
Edwards explained that the check
had been refused payment because
it failed to have the endorsement Of
Il customs broker in I.l l'aso desig
mated by the American Smelling and
refining Company. The Northwest
ern officials promised to obtain the
required signature for the rebels. II
is reported that the customs broker
acted upon Instructions from the
American concern in Chihuahua In
his signature.