Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1917-01-04
Juan T. Burns and Four Other Mexicans Are Put
 Under Arrest.
ACCIDENT CAUSES
 DISCOVERY PLOT
Federal Agents Learn of Alleged C0N, suiracy tn Ship Arms and Ammnni- tioD to Mexico When Packing Case
 Breaks on Vera Cruz Docks.

New fOIk. Jdil. D. ht dl NHl ''CiN today by federal officers of Juan T. Burns. cU11siii- general ct New York for the de facto government of Mexico, disclosed an alleged conspiracy in which five MeXicans. including Burns, are charged in three indid'ments with shipping arms into Mexico in viola ton of President Wilson's proclama- ton of October, 1915, and with eva sion of customs regulations.
 According to John c. Knox, assis- tant United States district attorney, federal agents first became acquainted with the alleged plot in November of last year, when packing case ship ped from New York on board the Ward line steamer Esperanza. ana manifested as containing "buildin% material" fell on the dock at Vera Cruz and broke open, revealing cartridges as the dontents. Investi- gation by federal agents disclosed that the box, shipped presumably bv the Pittsburg Hardware company. had been forwarded from this port by a firm known as the Adic company, composed of Louis Getting and Wences Lao Mont. The manifest in which the box was entered in the GUS toms records was signed by John Gelpi, who investigation proved to be Joe De la Paz. an employe of the firm. Shipments From Galveston. Further investigation revealed, ac- cording to Mr Knox. that other ship | ments of cartridges had been made from New York under the guise of | various kinds of machinery. Some of 1 these shipments. he said, did not go l to Mexico direcE, but were sent to | Galveston, Texas, aboard the 'Neches of the Mallory line, the Galveston shipments being marked Care R. Mier."
 Three weeks ago Getting, Mont and De la Paz were placed under arrest here by federal agents, and Mier identified as Reuben Mier, located at Houston, Texas, and arrested there.
 As the result of disclosures made to federal officers by De la Paz it has been disclosed. said MT. Knox, that purchases of small arms ammunition amounting to $40,000 had been made, principally in East Alton, III. This ammunition was shipped to New York received by Getting and Mont, taken to storehouses they controlled at GO Ann street, and there prepared for de- ! livery into Mexico, via Ward and Nal lory line steamers.
 The implication of Consul General Burns came. MT. Knox said, when the l investigation revealed that the money to pay for the ammunition had come from him. One of the o(ounts in the | indictment mentions in this connec- tion the advancing by Burns of $5,2O0 l Considerable of the ammunition found here and at Galveston has been seized by the federal officials, and .s held as evidence against the accuseo
 Declares Arrest Big Surprise.
 Burns was arrested today as he was leaving his apartments to go to his office. He protested his innocence and when arraigned before Federa Judge Hand entered plea of not guilty. He was placed under bond of S10,00O which he furnished ir cash, and was released.
 Later at his offioIe. Burns said his arrest was complete surprise tc him.
 "I am entirely innocent of any wrong-doing," he declared. "I have not made any attempt to buy arms here to ship to Mexico, and I canno see how I can possibly be connected with such a charge as has been brought"
 When asked if he knew any of thu other men jointly accused with him Burns said:
 q have met them. but only in an of ficial way as consul, and had no deal ings with them"