Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-10-28
PLOT OF ENEMIES TO piscREpiT
WILSON nv RAlDlNG Dor.
DER APPEARS MYTH.
BAKER BACKING UP
ON HIS ALLEGATIONS
Authorities Declare There Is
Not Scrap Of Paper on File to Sub
stantiate Charses-G. O. p. Leaders
Demand That Baker Substantiate
Charges by Furnishing Alleged
Traitors.

Washington, Oct. 2S.-Twelve hours
after its first publication, the state
ment issued by Secretary of War
Newton d. Baker collapsed.
In this statement Baker charged that
enemies Of the Administrators policy
toward Mexico" were arranging a
spectacular attack by Mexican bandits
on the American troops on the porueF
or on some border town.
Military authorities declared there
was not a scrap of military intorma-
ton IN the possession of the war de-
partment to justify the Baker state
ment. and state department authori-
ties admitted that the information on
which the statement was based was
necessarily vague.
Baker Changes Plans.
Following the issuance OF the Baker
statement last night, administration
officials were not slow TO realize that
in wording his statement as he did,
Secretary Baker gave the Inference
that the plots of which ne spoke were
being fomented by Americans.
The long distance operator at Mar
tinsburg, W. Va. is authority for the
Information that Secretary Baker was
deluged after his speech there with
long distance telephone calls from
Washington, New York. and Cincin-
natl. where the president spoke yes
.erday. Altho it had been Bakers or
iginal intention 10 go direct from Mar
tinsburg to Cleveland, he changed his
plan after one OF these telephone calls
and returned to Washington today.
Nothing to Say
The explanation given today by Sec
rotary Baker was that he did not have
an idea that his statement would be
construed TO mean that Americans
We're involved in the Mexican plots He
said that such a construction on the
statement had not occurred 10 him.
Despite this fact, the secretary was
reminded that ne talked on the long
distance telephone last night TO at
least three correspondents from Wash
ington. one OF whom put this question
to him:
Are you aware of the fact. Mr. Sec
rotary. that your statement is being
taken to mean that Americans are in
.oiysd in the plots?"
81 have nothing to add to the state
ment.'' he replied.
But, Mr. Secretary" persisted the
questioner this is grave charge.
Can't you explain who you mean by
enemies Of the administration policy
toward MexicoT"
Il have nothing to add to the state-
nient," was the answer.
Mr.. Baker admitted the substance Of
this conversation when interviewed to-
day, but offered no explanation for his
refusal to exonerate Americans at that
time.
Called Political Move.
The general opinion in Washington
today was that Mr.. Baker issued his
statement purely for political effect
and that despite his stat ement to the
contrary. he did intend TO charge that
Americans were concerned in the anti
administration plots. /,
Following up the charges of Secre-'
tary Of War Baker that Mexican oppo-
nents Of the de facto government are
trying to foment trouble between Car
rama and this country. the department
OF justice has ordered it's agents to in
vestigate the alleged conspiracy.
The Representatives of the depart
ment have also been ordered to keep
sharp lookout for filihusrering expedi-
tons. II is feared that one or more OF
these expeditions may be sent from
,,h