Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1915-01-15
Ordered Arrested by One of
Zapata'S Generals He Sc
creteS Himself in Private
House in Mexico City.
LEAVES MEXICO CITY
WITH u. S. OFFICIAL
Quits Train and Walks and
Rides Horseback Nearly Six
Hundred Miles, SwimS Rio
Grande to Safety.

10y MORNING JOURNAL SPECIAL Lghseo wiEsl
washington, Jan. 1i.--EdWard Itur-
pide, once member Of the Mexican
senate ana later commander of the
Federal district, revealed here tonight
the story OF his sensational escape
from death In Mexico, the circum-
stances of which for time threatened
to cause serious breach between
General Gutierrez ana Generals Villa
and Palafoy. He said he rode nearly
six hundred miles through deserts
and over mountains 10 the American
border, after leaving train south
Of Chihuahua to avoid arrest.
The United States government took
an active part in negotiations for
Iturbide's safety IN appreciation Of his
efforts on behalf Of Americans and
other foreigners during the turbulent
days in the Mexican capital following
the abdication of fluerta. The efforts
Of American Consul Slliman and
Leon j. Canova, special agent Of the
state department in his behalf
aroused the anger of General VIVA
and the Xapata chiefs.
Family safe in America.
Although Iturbide has been in the
United States for a week, he withheld
the details OF his adventure until he
learned tonight that his wife and sis
ter-in-law also were safe across the
American border.
The exile, who is great grandson
of Augustin Iturbide, who proclaimed
himself emperor Of Mexico in 1921,
and subsequently was executed, is
about SO years old, an athlete, a crack
revolver shot and a polo player. He
was n favoritc with members of the
foreign colony In Mexico City and had
many opportunities to leave along
with other federal officers. Remain
Ing as head of the district govern
ment, however, even after the depar-
turc of Carabaial. IIuerta's successor,
he transferred the executive power
In person TO General Carranza. Later
he was paroled by Carranza, with the
understanding that he would be tried
at some future date by the courts.
Took Command in Capital.
In the exciting days following the
evacuation by the Carranza troops,
Iturbide came to the front at the ur-
gent request Of the diplomatic corps
and took command Of the situation
lie kept order directly and turned IL
over to the Zapata commanders He
had, however, incurred the enmity Of
the Eapata faction because he COM
manded a detachment of troops which
fought them in the outskirts of Mex
leo City during Carabaial's brief adj
ministration. fifty Hapatistas having
been killed in the battle.
When General Palafox, the Zapata
commander, arrived, he ordered the
arrest of Iturbide who, scenting
trouble had hidden in a private house
in Mexico City. Silliman and Canova
interceded and he was promised n
fair trial, but he doubted the wisdom
of surrenlering and remained in hid-
ing Finally, through the efforts of
the American government, General
Gutierrez as provisional president,
signed an order giving 1turbide safe
conduct to the United States.
villa Orders Arrest.
Canova left Mexico city on the
same train with Iturbide, but before
they had proceeded far an order was
issued by villa for the arrest of ltur-
hide. At the same time a statement
/ was given out by General PalafoN
minister Of agriculture IN the Gu
/ tierrez cabinet, charging Silllman and
! Canova had accepted q bride for their
Mexico CITY This was vigorously de-
MED by them and the charges were
ignored by the state department
II rode ON that train" said ltur-
bide tonight, "iust one day, for I real
I igcd that the secret service men were
trailing me ana that an order Cor my
arrest would come any minute /
wrote my viii and gave it to MIR, ca
nova aud slipped off the train Just
south of Aguas Calientss. | walked
around aimltssly for sixty miles and
/ finally got horse ON a ranch.
Disguised as Ranchcr
I For fifteen days | rode, disguised
as a rancher. and made my way TO
I the American border Gliding troops
and police by travelling mostly at
night and sleeping by day had left
my baggage on the train and when /
/ finally got to the Rio Grande ! was
afraid To go to my of the bridges for
4 foar the secret service men would be
I waiting tor mo. / have always been
"A hood swimmer So 1 plunged IN and
swan tho river An Englishmnnt
whose name will not mention, mot
me and gYe nae some elathes ! was
destitute nhen ! arrived
Least year liurbide was worth seF
Hal millions his property hAs now
boon cnnIsHi0d and hls ianas n
NesR0 nk mlmrR appropriated
/ pa thD duHui rhlffs ht seli'ne
onH of hH nuWll o. farf'Hnr hH
M'sH W am H0m lna NlsNh