Bisbee daily review., 1916-10-27
Mexican Plot to Attack American Troops On Border Before Election
 Is ExbosedBy Secretary Baker
soil just before occupying Athens.
(By Review Leased Wirej

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 WASHINGTON, Oct. 26.-Secretary Baker issued formal statement to- night saying that definite information had been received by the war depart ment that a bandit attack upon Amer ican troops in Mexico or on an Amer ican border town had been arranged to take place between now and cleo tion day to create sentiment against the administration Mexican policy. It added that Generals Funston and Pershing were forewarned and ar engagements for attack made.
 Exposes Pl,f
 Mir. Baker issued this statement:
 "The war department has received definite information confirmed from other sources that enemies of the ad urinistration's policy toward Mexico, in cooperation with Villa or other bandits in Mexico, have arranged spectacular attack to be made either upon some part of the American fore es or upon some American communi- ty on the border between now and the date of the election, for the pur rose of turning the tide of sentiment against the policy which the adminis- ration has adopted for the protection of the border. ~t
 With Outside Money?
 Tt is significant in this connection hot hot he cto nd dhpo or-t- ments were advised that the bandit forces operating at the present time in Mexico are being paid in silver coin.
 Full particulars have been trans mitted to General Funston and Gen oral Pershing. All American forces are therefore forewarned and in read mess for such an attack"
 No additional information could be obtained from Mr. Baker. who left the city before the statement was made public. for Martinsburg, w. Va, to deliver a campaign speech.
 Not Defacto Plot
 Secretary Lansing tonight author ized the statement that Secretary Baker had no intention to intimate that any Carranza soldiers were con- nected with the plot.
 The secretary said that it has been called to his attention that an effort would be made to construe the state nent as a political step. He de- nounced such a contention as abso- lutely false, declaring that politics were not given thought in connec- ton with the matter and that it was inconceivable that any American would ally himself with Mexicans to- attack his own countrymen. MT. Lansing saw the statement before it was issued and discussed it with Sec retary Baker He explained that both he and Mir Baker believed that in ad 1ition to the warning given the mili- 'ary commanders it was wise to give the information received publicity. because it might have the effect of 'ausing the plot to be abandoned.
 From other sources it was learned that information concerning plot had been received through agents of the department of justice stationed m the border, and also through some other reports from the border have mentioned the situation. The state ment bears out this. indicating that Generals Pershing and Funston re- reived their first warning through ad4 ices sent tonight by the war depart ment.
 Americans Not In lt
 It is stated on reliable authority hat none of the evidence on hand in- olives Americans and no Americans 're believed to be directly connected with the border situation. The de- partment of justice is pressing its
 Continued on Page Two.)