El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1919-08-18
Mexico Is Told
Officers Must
Be Set Free
Instructions Sent To Mexico
TOLERATE Two AVA
tors Held Prisoners.

Continued from page -
Juarez. Mex, to take all possible steps
with the Mexican authorities there to
secure release and protection Of the
Father OF Davis Advised.
The attention of the department
was called to the Davis case late lasl
night by representative Barbour. OF
California. and telegraphic instruc-
tions were rushed TO the embassy ana
the consulate. The officers father.
DR.. Warren D. Davis, Of Strathmore,
Calf. was advised of the steps taken
in behalf OF his son The governor OF
Minnesota telegraphed TO the depart
ment today regarding the two leu
tenants and was advised OF the steps
which the department had taken
Official reports from Nal Gen
Dickman. commander Of the southern
department. concerning the detention
Of the aviators. were received today
at tie war department. but secretary
Baker refused to make them public
saving the state department had en-
tire supervision over the matter
AS soon as he reached his office this
morning Mr.. Baker went into confer
ence with several bureau chiefs. but
there was no information that the
Mexican situation was discussed
The capture ana detention %
the army flyers = considered by
feremt from other cases Of Ameri-
can citizens who have been held
for ransom Members Of the Mill
tary forces Of country. espeei-
ally when in uniform. are direct
representative OF their govern
nient. 81 vvGs said, and my injury
or nffront TO them Is regarded a.
n breach OF International law.
Coming close on the heels Of the
state departments virtual ultimatum
TO the CarranZa government that uu-
less steps were taken TO stop murder
OF American citizens and otherwise
10 protect their rights. a radical
change in the attitude OF this govern
Hent toward Mexico would be adopted.
news that two American army avi-
ators were being held by Mexican
bandits for 5000 ransom with death
as an alternative. caused the already
strained relations between the two
countries TO be regarded here today
as having reached a stage bordering
on the acute. Official Washington. as
were awaiting developments with
keen interest as the serious potential
tiles. should harm befal the flyers,
generally were recognized.
Baker QuIzEed by Senators.
Secretary Baker told a senate COM
mittee today that there was some IN
certainty as to whether the aviators
had landed by mistake in Mexico. or
as they claimed. had landed on the
American side and were captured
there. He added. however, that he did
not ca - to 90 into any more details
than those already published.
But il 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. west Virginia
The secretary replied that the men
had been captured in the Big Bend
country. which. he explained. was
wild and sparsely settled
Mr.. Baker appeared before the COM
mittee to testify regarding the wal
departments plans for a permanent
military policy for the country.
Peterson TO Raise Money.
Hutchinson. MINI. Aug. 1s.--sam G.
Peterson. local clothing merchant.
father Of Lieut. Harold g. Peterson,
who is held for ransom by Mexican
bandits arrived in the city today AZ
ter a hurried visit TO st. Paul where
he conferred with state officials. he
announced that he has decided TO raise
the amount Of the ransom himself and
not depend on others for the safety OF
his son.
have already raised the money re-
ouired, according to reports he said,
be sure that there is no mistake.
When It IS a question Of having re-
ouired abount Of money at certain
time or your son viii be killed, m
going to get the money myself and be
sure that there IS no misunderstand-
ing
Peterson Wires His Mother.
The following telegram was re-
received BY Mrs Peterson from her
som
Mrs. S. G. Peterson.
/ Hutchinson. Mimi
THE following telegram has been
/ received from your son;
I 'Candelaria, Texas. Aug. L.
Mrs. D. G. Peterson, Hutchinson
Mimi
Davis and myself had forced land.
I ing in Texas on border. Were cap
! tured by Villista Mexican bandits. and
are being held for $4,000 ransom Il
/ be paid TO Dawkins fitzpatrick, store
4 keeper in Candelaria Texas, not later
/ than August is. or we viii be killed
! Correspond with secretary OF war
! Mai. Walton, first bombing group. f
! Paso. and DR.. Warren b Davis
! Strathmore. Cal. I am in good health
and spirits. as 7 am sure war depart
ment will meet ransom II not good
bye. as they mean business. Love ana
(Signed5 Harold C. Peterson
ANY message you care 10 send Il
him viii be forwarded by me.
'Langhorne. colonel commanding.
! kilograms reassuring his son wer
I sent By AIr. Peterson.
Davis's Father Gets Message
! Strathmore. Calf. Aug 1S.-Dl
| Waldren 3. Davis, Of Strathmor'
father Of Paul II. Davis, America
aviator held with Harold Peterson b
Mexican bandits for ransom. state
today that secretary Of state Lansin
had Just advised him that the Unite
States government had demanded III
immediate release of the prisoners.
DR.. Davis added that he had bee
in communication with congressma
II. T. Barbour at washington
IN a communication from co
Il George T. Langhorne. commanding OF
ficer Of the troop on the Mexican Dor
der. Dr. Davis was informed that COW
boys and cattlemen OF Maria. Tex
had subscribed $4,000 to pay the bar
dts for the release Of the America
aviatoFs.
! Paul Davis is % years old. and LEI
his studies at the University Of Cal
fOrnfa TO enlist in the air service q