The Washington herald., 1916-04-15
Gen. Iturbide Arrives at Ell
Paso, Tex, on Secret
Mission.
WON'T DISCUSS TRlf
State Department Agents In
terview Diplomat on Ar
rival at u. S. Border.
ALLIANCE OFFER is LIKELY
Incident Recalls Attempt Of FeIiz Dist
Three Years Ago to Gain
Jspan's Aid.
By Interpf6oali News s--ric-.I


Il Paso, April IL-First Chief CarrsnEs
has dispatched Gen. Ramon IturbIde. who
is civil engineer and one OF the inhu-
entisl leaders in Mexico. TO Japan on a
secret mission.
Gen. Iturbide arrived here today and
registered at the most prominent hotel
He said frankly he was under instruc-
tione TO sail for Japan at the earliest
possible date. He expects 10 leave the
Pacific Coast within fifteen days
The Carrsnzs envoy declined 20 make
direct statement concerning his in
struction. but the following is the cub
stance of an interview obtained by
State Department officials and forwarded
10 Washington:
Where are you soinE. GcneraI7'
TO Japan
Immediately"
Immediately. Yes. intend to san
from the Pacific Coast within fifteen
days: earlier II possible"
what is the nature Of your mission
Il must decline TO state. 1t is
secret"
do you intend to seek treaty stipu-
latinE military alliance between ssexiCo
and Japan. or Ioanli -
sent On secret Mi.sion.
Il can only answer that I am only
special diplomatic Representatives Of Mex
ico. and was designated for the work b.
the FIRST chief. Senior Carranza."
DO you understand clearly that you
have stated you are on secret mission
10 Japan for your government
Entirely. ] am on a secret mission 20
the Japanese government for the existing
Mexican government"
The arrival in q Paso Of Gen. Iturbide
Is not yet generally known. II is known
The State Department will UndoUbteJly
demand an explanation OF the mission
from Csrrsnza at once. II Is pointed out
that a military alliance between Jsnaa
and Mexico would constitute an unfriend-
ly act deliberately violating the accepted.
| II unwritten. principles OF the Monroe
Dictrine.
1t Is also considered possible that IN.
State Department will by diplomatic over
tuTes seek 20 determine Japan's attitude
toward Mexico. When Felix Diaz was
sent on what appeared TO be a similar
mission three years ago and Washington
tnterferred. Japan was checInsted by
the publicity and compelled 10 notify
DiaE that ne would not be received.
Old Reports Recalled.
II may or NAV Dot he roDsidered sIr-
nifcsnt. but it will be recalled that
during the American occupation OF vers
Cruz It was discovered and reported 20
the military authorities japanese officers
were with the Mexican troops facing the
American lines.
An international diplomatic scandal wss
narrowly avoided when the comma nder
and officers OF g japanese wsrShip went
to Mexico City and paid an oficIaI visit
at Chapultepec.
Gen. Iturbide the central figure In this
new movement, comes from the district
Of Gusdslsjsrs, where he is prominent.
He is a young man who figured conspic-
uously as a Csrrsnza adherent at the
last Mexican convention at Mexico City
He is man OF exceptional education
and refinement but on his arrival here
was dressed as though from long. hard
trip. His trousers Mapped about his IeFs
and his soft shirt fiared open at the neck
Around his waist was a double belt of
cartridges. A heavy automatic pistol
was slung in holster at his hip.