Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-01-04

Ia packing case shipped from New
York on board the Ward Line steam
ship Esperanto and manifested as
containing building material fell on
the wharf at Vera Cruz and broke
open, revealing cartridges as its con-
tents. Investigation by federal agents
disclosed that the box, shipped pre-
sumably by a Pittsburgh hardware
company had been forwarded from this
port by firm known as the Ado Co,
composed of Louis Getting and Wen
ceslao Mont. The manifest on which
the box was entered in customs rec
ords was signed by John Gelp1. who
investigation proved to be Jose De La
Paz, an employee of the firm.
Further investigation revealed, ac-
cording to Mr.. Knox, that other ship
ments of cartridges had been made
from New York under the guise of va
rious kinds of machinery. Some Of the
shipments, he said. did not go to Mex
leo direct but were sent to Galveston,
Texas, on board the steamship Nechez
of the Mallory Line, the Galveston
shipments being manifested and mark
ed in care of r. Mier.
$4,000 Purchase
Three weeks ago Getting, Mont and De
La Paz were secretly arrested here by
federal agents, and Mier. identified as
Reuber Mier, was located at Houston.
Texas, and arrested there. A develop
ment Of the case, based in part on
a statement said to have been made to
the officers by De La Paz. disclosed. Mr.
Knox said, that purchases of small am
phnunition to the probable value of $4,000
chad been made, principally In East AL
ton, ILL., This ammunition, shipped to
New York, was received by Gotting and
Mont, taken to a storehouse controlled
by them and there prepared for deliv-
cry into Mexico via Ward and Mallory
Line steamers. The implication of Con-
sui General Burns came, Mr.. Knox said.
when investigations revealed that the
money to pay for this ammunition had
come from him. One of the counts In the
indictments mentions In this connection
the advancing by Burns Of $500. A con-
siderable quantity OF ammunition found
here and at Galveston has been seized
by the federal officers and Is held as ev-
idence against the accused.
SfOIeStS Innocence
Burns was arrested today as he was
leaving his apartments to 60 to his Of
fee He protested his innocence and
when arraigned before Federal Judge
Hand entered a plea Of not guilty. He
was placed under bond Of $4,000 which
he furnished in cash and was released.
Later at his office Burns said the ar
rest was complete surprise to him. Il
am entirely innocent Of any wrong
doing" he declared. II have not made
any attempt to buy arms here to be
shipped to Mexico and I cannot see
how I can possibly be connected with
any such charge as has been brought"
Asked If he knew the other men ar
rested on the same charge and with
whom he is alleged to have conspired.
he replied: Il have met them, but only
in an official way as consul and have
had no dealings with them"
Ell Paso, Jan. 3.-Juan T. Burns. who
was arrested in New York In connec-
ton with alleged munitions smuggling
operations, was a clerk in the Carran-
"a consulate here during the early days
Of the Carranza revolution against the
Huerta government. From here ne
went to Galveston as Carranza consul
ard was promoted to be consul gener-
al in New York. it was said at the Car
rama consulate here today.