The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-10-27
War Department Declares Plot
Is On to Attack American
Forces or Border Town
OBJECT TO AFFECT
AMERICAN SENTIMENT
Villa Receiving Money and
Munitions From Persons on
This Side Border, Anxious to
Embarrass President
PRESIDENT MUCH DISTURBED.

PRESIDENT MUCH DISTURBED.
Cincinnati. Oct. 26.-Presidcnt
Wilson was much disturbed when
shown the statement from Score
tary Baker that influences inin1-
iCai to the administration were
erdeayoring to stir up trouble on
the Mexican border. Secretary
Tumulty was sent to get the Sec
rotary of War on the telephone
and ash his authority for the as
sertion. but reported that he had
been unsuccessful.
The President made no COM
ment on the statement.
Washington, Oct. 26.-The fol-
lowing statement was issued by
the War Department this after
neon:
TIE War Department has re-
ccived definite information, con-
frIned from other sources. that
enemies of the administrators
policy towards Mexico, in CO.
operation with villa or other
bandits in Mexico. have arranged
a spectacular attack to be made
SiNIRsT UPON NbIlNh D<tFL oI TIC
American forces or upon some
American community On the
border between now and dive date
OF the election, for the purpose
OF turning the tide of sentiment
against tn. policy which the adj
ministration has adopted for the
protection OF the border.
"It IL significant in this conncc-
t4Cr, that both The Cfato and Mr.
Departments were advised that
the bandit forc6s operating at the
present time In Mexico arc being
paid In silver coin.
Full particulars have been
transmitted to General Funston
and Geenral Pershing. All Amcri-
can forces are, therefore, fore
warned and in readiness for such
an attack"
Creates Sensation.
The statement caused a sensation
in army and political circles. 1t was
issued by Secretary Baker. after a con-
ference with Secretary of State Eans-
ing and Attorney General Gregory. No
doubt exists in Washington that it
was authorized by President Wilson.
and that It had long been under con-
sideration by the President and his
edvisers
The seriousness of the charge to-
gether with the time selected FOR pub
fishing 1t, convinced officials who had
no previous knowledge of the alleca-
I ons. that the statement was issued
at the explicit direction of President
Wilson. -
1t was pointed out that the obvious
intention Of the statement was TO
had conspired with Mexican bandits
to organize an attack, either upon
American troops or an American COM
munity.
Crime Is High Treason.
An authority at the War Depart
ment said tonight:
The offense charged In Secretary
Bakers statement is high treason un-
der the laws OF war and murder I'M
der the civil laws, II executed. As
high treason, the government Is em-
powered now to prosecute the con-
spirators and to execute them upon
Treason Is giving aid OF
comfort to the enemy in time of war,
The War Department has held that
we are in a state Of war, and Presi-
dent Wilson has defined the enemy
as villa and other Mexican bandits
such as those spoken of in Mr.. Baker
statement"
Efforts to ascertain the source 81
the War Departments definite In.
formation" tonight met with no sue
cess. All War Department ofnctAld
referred inQuirers to Secretary Baker
But Mr.. Baker by this time had
left town and gone to Martinsbura;
w. Va. to make a political speech.
Mr.. Lansing refused to comment on
it. although the State Department
processes to have information confirm
atory of that claimed by the War
Department. Mr.. Gregory denied hs
knew anything about 1t. Asked Il
there was ground for the charges
made in the statement and X ths
Department of Justice possessed ANY
information Of similar character
the encouragement replied:
II could not answer that definite
ly. l haven't heard OF 1t. although
it is possible an investigation may
have been conducted bv the departS
made to me. l have no information
on the subject at all. My conferences
with Secretary Baker was entirely pri-
waite between himself and me-"
Assistant Acknowledgement Charles
Warren. who would have charge Of
an investigation into the matter BY
the Department of Justice, and 4.
Bruce Biehski, chief Of the division
OF investigation. who would conduct
such an investigation. both refused to-
night to discuss the matter. Neither
would affirm that an investigation had
been made, although the DepartmAnt
OF Jsstice would be the ~chief sources
OF information of both the State ax4
War Departments In such cases.
Furnished Armo 10 Vfl1n-
An official familiar with thu 0hal0
said tonight that Mexican prope1as~
dists had recently been ahlo ~ g.
nish arms and munitions - vIIla- III
intiuaatcd that arroots woulA - 1 (