Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-08-18
CARRANzA is
INFORMED IT
is UP TO HIM
"Act Quickly for Release
of Airmen" Is Wash
ington Order.

Washington, Aug. IS. - The
American embassy at Mexico
City was instructed today by
the state department to immed-
lately call upon the Mexican
government for quick action to
effect the release of Lieuten.
ant Paul II. Davis and Harold
G. Peterson, American army
aViatOrs, who were captured
by Mexican bandits near Can
delarfa, Tex, while patrOlling
the border and who are threat
ened with death unless $4,000
ransom is. paid today.
The state departments statemen
said the instructions pointed GU
the seriousness with which tn
American government views tn,
situation and calls for immediate
adequate action. The American
consul at Juarez also was instruct
ed to take all possible steps will
the Mexican authorities there to Sc
cure release and protection of tn,
officers.
The departments announce
ment said:
"The department of state
has telegraphed instructions to
the American embassy at Mex
leo City to Immediately call
upon the Mexican government
for quick action to effect the
release OF Lieutenants Paul II.
Davis and Harold G. Peterson
of the United States army air
service, captured by Mexican
bandits near Candelaria, Texas
while patrolling the border and
threatened with death today
upon failure to pay $4,000
ransom.
"The instructions pointed
out the seriousness with which
the United States government
views this situation and called
for immediate adequate action.
The department also directed
the American consul at Juarez,
Mexico, to take all possible
steps with the Mexican author
tiles there to secure release
and protection of the officers.
THE attention of the depart
ment was called to the Davis
case late last night by Repre-
sentative Barbour of Cali
fornia, and telegraphic in
structions were rushed to the
embassy and the consulate
there. The officers father, DR..
Warren B. Davis, of Strass-
more Calf, was advised of the
steps taken in behalf of his
son. The Minnesota governor
teIegraphed to the war de-
partment today regarding the
two lieutenants and was sd-
vised of the steps which the
department had taken. Peter
son is a son of s. c. Peterson
of Hutchison, Mimi"
Mexico Must Pay.
State department officials said
the ransom demanded would be
paid as soon as information could
be had as to where and whom the
money was to be delivered. 1t has
not been decided whether the Unit
ed States would furnish the sum
and charge 1t against the Carranza
or call upon the Mex
lean government to pay 1t direct.
Vigorous Representation Made.
Vigorous representations were
made to the Mexican government
today by the state department con-
cerning the capture and detention
Of two American army aviators by
bandits who demand $4,000 ran
som. This announcement was made
by Secretary Lansing. It-was also
announced that a complete state
ment, including details of the cap
ture Of two officers and particulars
regarding the representations made
by the American government, would
be given to the public later.
First Report Last Week.
II was learned today that the
1rst Intimatlon that the officers
Paul Fl. Davis and
Harold Peterson were missing
reached Washington the middle OF
last week IN dispatches from the
border which said a peon had re-
ported that two Rviators were in a
canyon south OF the border. II
was understood that the avlators
aad been compelled to land in Mex
.eo and were IN trouble. American
air officials of the border were
hen reported to be planning to
send relief to tho two men and
we're given to understand that the
Mexican authorities had no obiec-
ion, The next word was on Sat
lFday which reported the capture
If the two men by bandits.
Baker and Aids Confer.
Official reports from General
5ickman, commander of the south
I'm department, concerning the de-
ention of the American avaiatoTs
1y Mexican bandits we're received