Las Vegas optic. (East Las Vegas, N.M.) 1908-1921, 1914-03-25
LIBERTY IS NOT ASSURED
EVEN lF HE PRODUCES RANSOM
MONEY HE MAY BE SHOT
BY REBELS W
SERIOUS BREACH OF FAITH
MAN WAS GIVEN Up BY ENGLAND
ON PROMISE He WOULD NOT
Be HARMED


Ell Paso, Tex, March 25.--An au-
thoritative private letter dated Chihua-
lhua, March %, received here today,
states that Luis Terrazas, Jr.. is to
be executed today unless he delivers
! the equivalent Of $25OOOO in gold to
General Villa. The letter follows
Chihuahua, March %.
Luis Terrazas, Jr., held for ransom
by the rebels ever since General villa
occupied Chihuahua rive months ago,
viii be executed in Chihuahua on
Wednesday, March 25, unless 100000
pesos, Mexican, are paid before that
time. NO assurances have been gwen
that he will be released even if the
money is paid, and friends Of the
prisoner say he cannot raise it in
time.
"Terrazas is the son Of the one-time
rich Mexican land owner, who until
his lands were confiscated by the reb-
els and he had been forced to seek
safety in the United States, was ac-
counted among the most powerful men
under the Diaz regime Up to the
present the prisoner family believed
he was more valuable to the rebels
alive than dead. A summary notice
that a fixed sum must be paid into
the rebel treasury within "a hours
was served on his last Saturday, but
througIfth the efforts Of American Consul
Marion Letcher, the time was extend
ed to three days longer.
Colonel Anacleto J. Giron, the Jefe
de armas, on Sunday announced the
had positive orders to carry out the
execution. Representatives Of several
foreign governments then appealed to
Giron.
eff the moneg is paid what assur-
anees will be given that Terrazas will
be llberated? Giron was asked
= I have not been advised on that
point, said the rebel officer. I sim
ply received orlers from my superiors
that 100000 pesos must be paid with
in "a hours.
@If it is not paid
Then he win be shot answered
Colonel Giron.
Appeals for more time were made
with the result that Terrazas was Civ
en- three days extention. Meantime
influence was 4 sb44dtught to bear in the
United States 8KBf9 the father Of the
prisoner IL 6sfefasee. So far as
known no idefinite arrangements for
the payment Of the money have been.
agreed on.
Many times since his capture by
the rebel, Terrazas life has been.
threatened His father, who is nore
than so years old. recently In 81 Paso
offered to give his own life for that
Of his sen. Ny son IS the father Of
IS children, and they need him. said
General Terrazas 7 have not much
longer to live and il they win take
me n his place ! win 80.
after General Salvador Mercado,
the federal military governor. evacuat-
ed chihuahua, taking with him many
rich families who feared death at the
hands Of the rebels, Terrazas- Jr.. de-
cided to remain here with his family,
not only because he did not wish the
women and children to endure the
hardahips Of travel with troops over
the desert to oiinaga bat also be-
cause he elected 70 remain. L pos
sihle ia custody Of property lefl BY
Ills father
When villa entered the city one
OF his fist acts was p demand the
person Of Terraces who had taken re
/ fuge ia the British vice consulate.
Terrazas was turned over % villa on
tie promise that no harm would Be
done BIN Nevertheless tsie prisoner
was denied BIS liberty on one oe
caaan 40 Was subiecl 10 almost IaIal