The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1919-08-18
RELEASE OF
u. s. FL|ERS
IS DEMANDED
OF MEX|CANS
Quick Action Called for by
State Observation-Disclosures
can Consul at Juarez Direct
ed to Act.
R A ANSOM TO Be PAID
(By Associated Press)

tBy Associated Press)
WASHINGTON. Aug. Is. - The
American embassy at Mexico City was
Instructed today by the state depart,
ment Immediately to call upon the
Mexican government for quick action
to effect the release of Lieutenants
Paul II. Davis and Harold G. Peterson.
American army aviators, who were
captured by Mexican bandits near Ban
delaria. Tex. while patrolling the
border and who are threatened with
death unless $4,000 ransom is paid
today.
The state departments announce.
ment said: "The instructions pointed
out the seriousness with which the
United States government views this
situation and called for immediate ac-
ton. The American consul at Juarez
also was instructed to take all possible
steps with the American authorities
there to secure relief and protection
of the officers
State department officials said the
ransom demanded would be paid as
soon as information could be had as
to where and to whom the money was
to be delivered. 1t has not been de-
cided whether the United States would
furnish the sum and charge it against
the Carranza government or call upon
the Mexican government to pay it di
rect.
Baker Explains Policy
Secretary Baker told a senate COM
mittee today that there was some un-
certainty as to whether the aviators
had landed by mistake in Mexico or
as they claim had landed on the
American side and were captured
there. He added however that he did
not care to go into any more details
than those already published.
| But 1t is just another evidence of
the inability of the Mexican govern
ment to preserve order in that coun-
try, isn't it?" asked Senator Suther-
land Republican, of West Virginia.
The secretary replied that the men
had been captured in the Big Bend
country. which he explained was wild
and scarcely settled.
Mr.. Baker appeared before the COM
mittee to testify regarding the war
departments plan for a permanent
military policy for the country.
CATTlEMEN RAISE MONEY
Ell PASO. Tex, Aug 1s.-Every ef-
fort was being made today to expedite
the rescue of Lieut.. Paul H. Davis
the United States army, who are held
for a ransom of $4,000 by Mexican
bandits somewhere in Mexico south
of the Big Bend district of west Texas.
While no official announcement was
made by the military authorities, it
was understood that the ransom mon
ey had been arranged for at a local
| bank and that a messenger would be
started during the day for Candelaria,
Tex, where he would receive instruc-
tions about handing over the gold to
an agent Of the bandits. Cattlemen
attending cowboy camp meeting at
Fort Davis, Tex, also raised $4,000
in fifteen minutes Sunday and placed
it at the disposal of the military au-
thorities.
After eight days of suspense since
the aviators patrolling the border dis
appeared, messages were received by
military authorities at Maria, Tex.
yesterday demanding payment of the
ransom In gold to Dakins Fitzpatrick
of Candelaria, Tex. before tonight or
the Americans would be killed, accord
ing to the message. Another mess
age, signed by the aviators, accom-
panied the demand for the ransom, in
which they stated practically the same
facts as contained in the message
from the bandit leader.
Bandits Near Border,
They also sent messages to their
relatives in Strathmore, Cal. and
hutchinson, Mimi, urging them to see
that the ransom was raised at once
Another message was later sent to
Candelaria, Tex, addressed to Dawk-
ms fitzpatrick, an American. and sign
ed by one of the bandit band SAYING
they would kill the aviators II there
were any signs that the American
military forces were preparing to pur-
sue the bandits
Replies were received from the par
ents of Lieutenant Peterson stating
they would furnish the ransom de-
manded for release Of their son and
his companion If the government failed
to furnish the money, according to
messages from Maria. These replies
were Immediately given to a courier
VINO attempted to reach the bandit
rendezvous south of the border
Whether he succeeded was not known
here or at Maria early today De-
velopments in the case have led army
officers here to believe the bandits are
not far from the border and are hold
ing the American aviators in some out
Of the way canyon until the ransom
is paid, where upon they will release
them and permit them to go to the
border. Nothing has been heard of
the scout biplane which the men flew
when they were captured.
The Big Bend district and the Ojina-
ga district opposite 1t in Mexico Is one
of the widest stretches Of country in
the Texas Mexico border. The Rim
: rock, near Candelaria, is a gigantic
= escarpement standing on edge like a
, clamshell The Rio Grande flows
through canyons and in great curves
along this part Of the border, which
has long been noted for its bandit ac-
) tiyities. 1t is over this same Rim rock
near Candelaria that the Mexican
2 bandits rode to raid the Brite ranch,
D Continued on Page Nine)