New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-06-28
Huerta Plot Fooled,
Say u. S. Officials

Washington, June 27.-The United
States government has frustrated for
the present an attempt on the part OF
General Victoriano Huerta and his as
sociates to launch from American ter
ritory q new revolutionary movement
in Mexico.
Detention of the former Mexican die
tator, with General Orozco and others,
at FL Paso to-day followed nearly three
months of espionage by government
agents. The Department OF Justice had
instructed United States Attorney
Camp, of the Western District of
Texas, to take into custody these men,
who, seemingly, were engaged in VIOLA
tons of American neutrality laws,
which forbid the recruiting of men, the
purchase of supplies therefor and the
organizing of a military expedition on
the soil of the United States to be used
in operations against people with
which this country is at peace.
Mr. Camp was ordered to place before
a grand jury at Ell Paso Immediately
all the evidence in his possession, in
order that indictments may be returned
against any one guilty Of an intent to
violate American neutrality laws.
Apart from any considerations OF
policy which the Washington govern
ment may have in mind for the settle
ment OF the Mexican problem, the De-
partment of Justice has the full SYM
patty of the Department of State in en-
forcing the neutrality laws, irrespective
of the individuals concerned. When AS
sistant Attorney General Warren called
TO the attention of Secretary Lansing
the fact that General Huerta and his
supporters appeared to be ready to set
on foot an armed expedition into
Mexico Mr. Lansing indicated that this
was a subject for the Department OF
Justice to handle, and the arrests were
ordered forthwith.
Accepted Huerta's Pledge.
While officials were reticent as TO
the probable development of the case
against General Huerta, it was ind:-
Gated that the United States would re-
tain In its custody, for the present at
least, the man whose overthrow OF
Madero and Suarez and dictatorship in
Mexico was declared by President Will
son to be responsible for the resulting
turbulence in the southern republic.
When General Huerta returned from
Spain the American government made
no effort to deport him, accepting his
pledge that he did not intend to violate
the view Of neutrality. His defiance OF
President Wilson for nearly year and
his refusal to grant the salute to the
Stars and Stripes demanded as an apoi-
ogy for indgnities offered to American
bluejackets at Tampico were ignored.
Government agents watched his
movements, however, noting that for
mer Federal generals frequently were
in conference with him. They investi-
gated reports that financial support had
been obtained for a new revolutionary
movement, but il was not until me
moment Of apparently setting on foot
an expedition that IL was regarded As
timely TO interpose the arm OF the
American government
Jrst what the evidence against Cen
eral Huerta and other former Federal
generals is was not disclosed here. The
Villa agency had dispatches from III
Paso charging that General Huerta was
guilty Of recruiting several hundred
Mex'cans and Of purchasing supplies
for 'teir equipment. While the mere
prepara. on OF plans for the beginning
Of q revolution in foreign country
have not been held as themselves a
violation Of neutrality. overt acts in
consummation of such plans have
formed the basis for indictments in the
past. Individuals may pass through the
United States to take part in military
activity abroad and arms and annual