The Oklahoma City times. [volume] (Oklahoma City, Okla.) 1908-1984, 1916-10-27
NO j. S. CITIZENS
ARE SUSPECTED,
SECRETARY SAYS
Absurd" to Suppose State
ment Political Move,
SECRET ORDERS HlNTED
War Department Head Sug-
geStS Retaliation,

WASHINGTON, Oct E.-War and
state department officials refused to-
day to disclose the source OF specific
nature OF the information on which
Secretary Baker last night issued
statement charging that a bandit at
tack on american troops IN Mexico or
on American border towns has been
planned TO diScredt the governments
Mexican policy They said the chan
mel Of information through which the
report came is so valuable that nothing
would he given ont that might inlurc
It's usefulness
No Domestic Politics.
Secretary Lansing and Secretary
Baker today laid stress upon the state
ment that no consideration of domestic
politics led TO the issue OF the an
nouncement that such plot had been
discovered ...
The obviously appropriate comment
of the secretary OF state Secretary
Baker said, referring to the explana-
tion by Secretary Lansing last night
that no American was implicated and
that desire to prevent the carrying
out OF the plans had prompted Secre-
tary Bakers statement, "wecludes the
possibility that any such cons,ruc ion
or understanding could be put upon my
statement
Notice TO Lawless Americans.
The statement was without political
purpose and ough, to be without po-
litcal effect. 1t will have served it.,
entire purpose it it serves notice upon
the lawless people in Mexico that we
have been warned and are prepared
Secretary Baker declared il was "ab-
surd' to suppose that his statement had
been intended to imply that any politi-
cal interest In the United States desired
anything other than peace on the bor-
der.
Such a thing could not be" he said.
Movement Among Mexicans
Asked lust what interes, he charged
were behind the movement. Secretary
Baker dictated this statement
IT. Mexlcans who oppose the
de tacto government in Mexico
would. OF course be glad to com
plicate relations between the United
States and Mexico and our inior-
nation is that they think this an
appropriate time to do so The
statement made 'ast night by the
department ought 10 discourage
any adventure on their part in that
direction Everybody knows that
many MeXicanS IN this country are
constantly agitating against the de
tacto government ANY sympathy
there may be on the American side
OF the border with the movement
is wholly from this source.
The only possible suggestion OF
a political purpose Tin the war de-
par,ment's statemenU is to prevent
people in Mexico from creating a
disturbance OF political character
IN iurtherancc OF their own de-
sign"
Part OF the information which led 10
his statement the secretary said reached
him yesterday afternoon within a lew
minutes of the time he left to deliver
campaign speech in West Virginia.
Advised BY Lansing.
Mr. Baker, II was learned. took his
adviceS up with Secretary Lansing and
the latter is said to have advised that
there be no delay in making public tho
substance OF the information
Secretary Lansing views the iniorma :
ton, although somewhat indefinite a,
TO individuals as showing a dangerou,
situation along the border.
Publication of the fact that the gov
eminent has taken steps to checkmate
such a movement, he believes. goes far
toward preventing an attack either on
border town or upon General PerSh-
ing's force
Hints at Retaliation.
Secretary Baker indicated that n,
immediate movement OF General Perish.
ing'S columns were contemplated Hc
refused to say however, whether or
derS had been given 10 meet an at.
tack lie save the impression that Gen-
eral Funston and Pershing might have
been directed to take certain steps OF a
retaliatoty nature, should an attack b
made upon their forces, or that the de.
par,ment had such orders under con.
$ sidera,ion.
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