Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-10-26
CHAPTER XVI
THE GUZMAN INCIDENT

nICARDO GUZMAN did not return from
N Romero When two days had passed
with no word from him, his sons became
alarmed and started an investigation. but
without the slightest result Even Colonel
Blanco himself could not hazard n guess
as 10 Guzman's fate; the man had dlsap-
peared, II seemed. completely and mysterl-
ously Meanwhile. from other quarters of
the Mexican town came rumors that set
the border afire.
Readers OF this story may remember the
famous "Guzman incident" so called. and
the complications that resulted from II. for
at the time II raised a storm OF indigna-
tion as the crowning atroclty OF the Mexi-
can revolution, serving further to disturb
the troubled waters OF diplomacy and
threatening for a moment TO upset the pre-
cariously balanced relations OF the two
countries.
At first the facts appeared plain: n
citizen OF the United States had been lured
across the border and done 10 death by
Mexican soldiers-for II soon became EVIL
dent that Ricardo was dead. The outrage
was a casus belli such as no self-respect-
ing people could ignore 30 ran the popu-
lar verdict. Then when that ominous
mailed serpent which lay coiled along the
Rio Grande stirred itself, warlike Amerl-
cans prepared themselves to hear OF big
events
A motive for Ricardo Guzman's murder
was not lacking for Il was generally
known that President Potosl had long re-
sented Yankee enmity, particularly as that
enmity was directed at him personally. A
succession OF irritating diplomatic skir-
mish0s an unsatisfactory series OF verbal
spRrring matches, had reused the old In
dams anger, and II was considered likely
that he had adopted this means of per-
manently severing his relations with WASH
ington.
or course. the people of Texas were de-
lighted that the ong-delayed hour had
struck; accordingly when tho State De-
partnent seemed strangely loath 10 inves-
tiEate tho matter when, In fact II mani
tested a willingness TO allow Don Ricardo
ample time In which 10 come TO life in
preference TO putting a further strain upon
international relations, they were both
surprised and enraged. Telegraph wires
began TO buzz; the Governor OF the State
sent a crisply sarcastic message 10 the ma
tional capital, Offering 10 dispatch a COM
pany OF Rangers after Guzmans body just
TO prove that he was Indeed dead and that
the Mexican authorities were lying when
they professed ignorance Of the fact.
This offer not only caught the popular
fancy north OF the Rio Grande. but II like
wise had an effect on IN. other side OF the
river for on the very next day General
Luls Longorio set out for Romero TO inves-
tigate personally the ranchers disappear
ance.
truth, as usual, lay hidden at the bottom
"a the well, and few even OF Ricardo's
closest friends suspected the real reason
for his murder.
Jonssville. OF course. could think or talk
OF little else than this outrage. and Blaze
Jones, as befitted its leading citizen. was
loudest in his criticism OF the Government 4
weak -kneed policy.
1T makes me right sore 20 think I'm an
American" he conhded 70 Dave. why, n
Ricardo had beon an Englishman the Brit
ish Consul AZ Mexico City would have called
on Potosl the minute the news came
He'd hage aluek 4 slx-ehooteF under ih>
! Presidents nose end made him locat1 Dol