Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1919-08-18

and documents of importance.
Press dispatches telling of the hold
ing for ransom by Mexican bandits
OF two American aviators had been
read to him, said that he could make
no comment. The secretary did not
indicate whether advices as to the
plight of the aviators had reached
the war department. The state de-
partment, it was said by officials
there, had received no information
on the affair.
News of the holding of the avla-
tors by Mexican bandits coming on
the heels of the warning to the Car
rama government that unless pro-
lection was afforded American life
and property in Mexico a radical
change in the policy of this govern
ment toward Mexico would result,
intensified interest in official circles
ment toward Mexico would result in
here.
No Mistaken Identity.
1t was pointed out that the Incl
dent reported from the border to-
night was the second of the kird
within less than two months. How
ever, in the present case those being
held and threatened with death are
American military officers and thus,
it was said, there can be no claim
Of mistaken identity as might have
been possible in the two previous
instances.
Late last month Phillip Thomp-
son, l4-year-old son of John West
Thompson, an American citizen,
was kidnapped from his fathers
ranch, 80 miles from Mexico City,
and held for 1900 pesos ransom.
Acting on the advice of the Mexi
can government and with the &C
quiescence of the American state de
partment, the boys father paid the
ransom.
The Mexican foreign office agreed
to refund the amount of the ransom,
but no information has been re-
ce;ved here as to whether this agree
ment was carried out.
Several days later Lawrence L.
Shipley, an American citizen, was
by Mexican bandits near
Fresnillo. A ransom was demanded
in this case also and the state depart
ment recommended that it be paid, it
being set forth that failure to make
the payment would endanger Ship
ley's life. Ten days ago the de-
partment was informed that Shiplev
had been released, but the dispatches
did not state whether the ransom
was paid.
No Relatives of Davis.
San Francisco, Aug. 17.-No rela-
tives of Lieut.. Paul H. Davis. army
aviator reported held for ransom by
Mexican ban is in the Big Bend
district, could be located tonight in
Berkeley.
Strathmore, Cal, where his par
ents were said to reside, could not
be reached tonight by telegraph or
telephone. A newspaper represen-
tative sent by automobile from Fres-
no, Cal, 90 miles north, to Strath-
more, to learn if the family had
communicated with Lieutenant
Davis since his disappearance, was
not expected to report until late to-
night.
Minneapolis, Mimi, Aug. H.
The following telegram was re-
ceived by Mrs. S. G. Peterson at
Hutchinson today from her son,
who is held by Mexican bandits for
ransom. 1t was given out here to-
night by the aviator's father:
"Candelaria, Tex, August u.
Davis and myself had forced
landing in Texas on border. We
were captured by Villista Mexican
bandits and are being held for $l5,-
900 ransom to be paid to Dawkins
Fitzpatrick, storekeeper in Candel-
aria, Tex, not later than August
Is, or we will be killed. Correspond
with secretary of war, Major Wal
ton, first bombing group, Ell Paso.
and DR.. Warren B. Davis, Strath-
more, Cal. am in good health and
spirits, as l am sure War depart
ment will meet ransom. If not,
goodbye, as they mean business
Love and don't worry.
"HAROLD G. PETERSON"
On his way to St. Paul to seek
the assistance of state officials, Mr..
Peterson wired Colonel Langhorne
that the ransom demanded would be
sent.
Father Replies.
The following message was sent
to his son by Mr.. Peterson: Making
every fefort to comply with request
of bandits, but get more time. I'M
possible to get money there Mon
day." was the first telegram.
This was followed by a second
wire stating that the money had
been forwarded
Replies to his queries were re-
ceived by Mr.. Peterson in Minneap-
oils tonight. One from Major Wal
ton was as follows:
Full information received here
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