New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-08-19
MILLION PESOS
FLEE YUCATAN:
HALTED HERE
Patriot Governor Accused
by Patriotic Secretary
of Mexican State.
SPICY TALE TOLD
OF GOLD AND PLOT
Money, Now in Canada, Cannot
Be Spent on That Gay Broad
way, Court Orders.

A fight for the possession of about
100000 Mexican pesos, about $780,
600 in United States money, was begun
yesterday in the Supreme Court by
Manuel Yrigoyen Lara, who describes
himself as Secretary of State of the
State of Yucatan, Mexico. The money
Lara alleged was unlawfully taken
from the treasury of Yucatan by Cen
eral Abel Ortiz Argumedo, who had
declared himself governor of the state.
Ostensibly, according to the Secre-
tary of State, the money was taken
for the purchase Of arms to keep
Argumedo in power. In reality, says
Lara, it was brought here by General
Argumedo for his own use and he
charges that the former governor is
enjoying it to the limit in his apart
ment at 10l West Eighty-ffth Street.
In behalf Of the State of Yucatan,
Lara yesterday obtained from Justice
Shearn e temporary injunction re-
straining Argumedo from spending any
more of this fund of Mexican pesos
and at the same time directing the
Royal Bank of Canada, where the
money is deposited, not TO pay the
general any more on this account.
Like Comic Opera.
The details of how the money was
NgE 4saa AEAa
Merida and of its transportation to
New York by way of Havana, form
theme that lacks only the music to
make 1t success as a comic opera.
General Argumedo does not know
much about American laws, but is
firm believer in the universal law that
possession is about 100 per cent of it.
Although he is no longer governor of
Yucatan, there also is some doubt
about Lara still being secretary of
state. There has been at least one
political change in that state and it
may develop that Lara will be found
TO be without official authority to de-
mand the restitution Of the pesos.
Jose Cruz Vallardo, formerly pay
master at Merida and now living in
New Rochelle, is also a defendant in
the action.
Carranza's Agent Fooled.
Last January an agent of Carranza,
named Santos, dropped in at Merida and
promptly usurptc the job and functions
of the governor. The constitution Of the
State of Yucatan provides that no
carpet Dagger can be at the head Of
its government. General Argumedo,
as a citizen of the state, had some
prestige, and going out on the stump
delivered several smashing speeches
attacking the attempted usurpation Of
the rights Of the people of Yucatan.
Incidentally, he told his "com-
patriots" what a great governor he
would make. He would do them good,
he promised. He was elected by a
viva voce vote and without a dissent
ing voice. This eliminates Santos from
the plot.
With a sharp eye for the needs of
his "querida estado," Governor Argu-
medo perceived that it needed arms
and ammunition. To get these MUM
tons money would be needed. Having
received q treasury statement, the gov
ernor drew out 100000 pesos, or
s442,0 900, for the purchase of arms and
ammunition in the United States. In
March he delegated Lara TO come here
and do the necessary shopping. Lara
was to sail for Havana on one vessel
and his wife and son on another.
Then certain things happened. When
Lara was about 70 sail, he met the
governor at FL Cuyo. Argumedo was
accompanied by many large strong
boxes.
Edward H. Thompson, veteran
American consul at Merida, who was
about to sail on the same vessel with
Lara, is authority for the statement
that the boxes contained gold coin.
The secretary Of state did some rapid
thinking.
A CrusOe Promise.
Are you sure you will be here when
come back ?" he asked Governor
Argumedo. Thompson says the latter
patriot replied "If all the people here
should desert me, | still shall remain
here, like Robinson Crusoe on his
island"
So Lara sailed from San Felipe
April 2 lie met his wife and son in
Havana. He had not been in Havana
half an hour when a friend told him
Argumedo was also there. His wife
confirmed it, She, too, had seen the
governor. In fact, he graciously
offered Sonora de Lara $500 toward her
expenses to New York.
A watch was kept on Argumedo. He
was seen going into the Havana
branch Of the Royal Bank Of Canada,
still accompanied by the boxes. There
he had a long conference with the
manager. It is believed the Mexican
money was there changed into Ameri-
can gold. Then the boxes were taken
to the Triscornia wharf and placed on
board a steamer for New York, Argu-
medo also going. Lara believes that
the funds of the State of Yucatan, or
such part of them as Us left, are in the
New York branch of the Royal Bank Of
Canada.