Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1914-12-28
TERROR" STALKS
THROUGH MEXICO
Gutierrez Says Men Continuously
Kidnapped at Night for Ransom
or to Be Murdered.
PRESIDENT FLAYs GENERALS
Declares They Are Proceeding with
out Authority ana that Before
Long Nation VIII he with
cut Standing In World.

MEXICO CITY. Dec 26.-Provisional
President Gutierrez tonight issued a cir
cular to all generals OF the armies of the
convention ordering them In most ex-
plicit terms to cease all summary exc
cutions for whatever offense. A copy
OF the circular was sent TO Generals
villa and zapata,
The provisional presidents secretary
gave out an interview authorized by the
chief executive In which he said that
General villa objected TO the circular as
unnecessary, because villa wished TO run
down the assassins" and punish them.
Two rival conventions are In the field
and three rival armies are struggling for
ascension to power, The statement OF
the secretary of Provisional President
Gutierrez said;
Gutierrez Angry.
Unless some central authority ls to
be recognized In the very near future
the most serious crisis in the history OF
Mexico soon will be reported. President
Gutierrez is tired OF receiving the bT1int
OF all the complaints OF the foreign diplo-
mats. Only yesterday an order OF the
president concerning the safe conduct of
Eduardo Iturbde was ignored by a COM
manding general who insisted on the re-
arrest of Iturblde, and who severely crit
icised Leon Conova, a representative OF
the American State department. who was
accompanying Iturbide to the American
border"
The decree of the provisional president
created a political sensation here.
Circular of GutierreH.
The circular by the provisional presi-
dent said In part;
There has come to my knowledge.
causing me both pain and displeasure
that all social classes In this city are In
a state OF alarm andNeven panlc-strlcken
at the continuous disappearance of indi-
viduals who are kidnapped by night,
either to exact money from them or to
be murdered In some secluded place
''When accepted the honorable posi-
ton OF provisional president of Mexico
l thought that my comrades In arms and
partisans at large would help me to es-
tabllsh a strong government am honest
and just government, which would base
all Its acts on morality and on law,
without any subterfuges whatsoever, be-
cause when justice Is done It Is unneo-
essary to hide IN the shadows OF night
in order to mete out punishment, no mat
ter how drastic, to whoever deserves H.
CAN'T Contradict Statements.
'But. on the contrary. IL there IL no
trace OF a trial. even II swift, and the
people are despoiled of their property
and murdered without any legal proceed
ure. when tomorrow or later we are
called bandits. kidnapers and murderers,
we shall be unable TO contradict such true
statements.
Upon our administrative behavior de-
pends that this government be recognized
by foreign powers, and. this happening,
economic and financial conditions OF this
country shall have improved noticeably.
and having obtained such an end We shall
have demonstrated that ours is civil
lied nation, and also that our govern
ment has the possibility of giving guar
antees TO every person who dwells in a
cultured community.
THE most elementary principles OF
morality and law show that the right OF
punishment is reserved only to the au-
thorities through their proper tribunals,
with strict subiection to the public pro-
ceedings marked by law.
Can't Exercise Right.
Z But never can such right be ex-
ercised by private individuals or by the
military or armed groups, no matter. how
numerous. for the reason that by SO do
ing they are not only losing their own
prestige but also that of the govern
ment they depend from.
For the above reasons I admonish you
generals to whom this circular is ad-
dressed. that by uniting your patriotism
and honesty 70 the governments YOU see
to It that your subordinate officers do
not continue TO commit unlawful acts,
and also l warn you that the executive
power under my charge is disposed to
grant full guarantees TO all inhabitants
OF the republic without any distinction
as to class or person, even to the enemies
OF the revolution.
To Act with VigOr.
You will understand that all such en-
Joy all the guarantees granted by law
to indicted or delinquent persons and
that / shall proceed with all energy
against those who disturb the public
Continued on Page Two, Column Two)