Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1916-10-27
Baker Says
"Fran,e-Up'
Is Planned
Secretary Claims Bandit Attack
On u. S. Troops Has Been Ar
ranged for Political Purposes.
NO AMERICANS INVOLVED
ASSERTS SEC. LANSING
Alleged That Uprising Has Been
Arranged to Swing Public
Sentiment.

Washington, Oct. 26.-Secretary Ba-
ker issued formal statement tonight
saying that definite information had
been received by the war department
that bandit attack on American
troops in Mexico, or upon an Ameri.
can border town, had been arranged
to take place between now and elec-
ton day, to create sentiment against
the administrations Mexican policy.
1t adds that Generals Funston and
Pershing were forewarned and are in
readiness for the attack:
The statement follows:
"The war department has received
definite information, confirmed from
other sources, that enemies Of the ad'
ministraton' policy toward Mexico,
in cooperation with Villa or other
bandits in Mexico, have arranged a
spectacular attack, to be made either
upon some part Of the American fore
es or upon some American commune
ity on the border, between now anc
the date of the election, for the pur'
pose OF turning the tide of sentiment
against the policy which the admins
tration has adopted for the protection
of the border.
1T is significant in this connection
that both the state and war depart
ments were advised that the bandit
forces operating at the present time
in Mexico are being paid in silver
coin. -.
Full particulars have been transmit
ted to General Funston and General
Pershing. All American forces are
therefore. forewarned apd in readt
| ness 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.
No Americans Involved.
secretary Lansing tonight author
lied the statement that Secretary Ba
ker had no intention to intimate tina,
Americans were involved in the ban
dit attack plot. The secretary saiC
that it had been called to his atten
ton that an effort would be made tt
cOnstrue the war departments state
ment as political play and as an as
sault upon the administrations polit
icalOppOnents. He denounced such q
construction as absolutely false, de
claring that politics were not given
thought in connection with the mat
ter, and that it was incOnceivable that
any American would ally himself with
Mexicans to attack his own country
men. Mr.. Lansing saw the statement
before it was issued and discussed it
with Secretary Baker. He explained
that both he and Mr.. Baker believed
that, in addition to warning the mill
tary commanders, it was wise to give
the information received publicity, be-
cause it might have the effect Of caus
| ing the plot to be abandoned.
Agents Receive Information.
From other sources it was learned
that information concerning a plot
had been received through agents OF
the department Of Justice, state de-
partment Representatives on the bor'
der, and also through some other
channel which has not been disclosed
It is understood that no military re-
ports from the border have mentioned
the subject. The statement bears
out this, indicating that Generals
Funston and Pershing received their
first warning through advices sent to.
night by the war department.
1t is stated on reliable authority,
also, that none of the evidence at
hand involves Americans, and that
Mexican interests in the United
States are believed to be directly re-
sponsible for the conspiracy with BAN
dts across the border
The department of justice is press
ing it's investigation,