New-York tribune., 1919-11-14
Purchases From Spain
Reveals Carranza Has
Been Preparing for
American Intervention
Machine Gun Order
Placed a Year Ago
Bel gium Said to Have
Broken International
Agreement by Sales

WASHINGTON, Nov. 13 Large or
aers for arms and ammunition. placed
by Mexico in Belgium and Spain, in
preparation for the possibility of
American Intervention, came TO light
to-day when the State Department let
it become known that the government
had taken steps to prevent their ship
ment
The charge d'atfaires Of the United
States Embassy in Brussels has pro-
tested, under instructions, that ship
ment of the munitions would be in vio-
lation of the international arms con-
vention. AS Spain is not party to
the agreement which was designed to
aid in keeping the peace of the world
during the postwar transition period
no such direct action is probable at
Madrid
The order in Belgium WAS placed
with the Fabrique Rationale d'Armes 81.
Liege, probably under the direction of
Candido Aguilar, Mexican Minister of
Foreign Affairs and President Car
ranza's son-in-law, who went to Eu-
rope recently after stopping here and
placing wreath OH George Washing
tons tomb at Mount Vernon.
The orders in Spain, which included
rifles, millions Of rounds OF ammurl:
tion and large number of machine
guns. were negotiated through the
Mexican Minister there, Eleseo Are
dondo. former Ambassador to the
United States and President Carranza's
nephew.
Got Spanish Machine Guns
The Spanish mutations, according to
information in the hands of the GOV
ernment. began passing into Mexico
more than a year ago. while the Euro
pean war still was going on and N
violation of the inter-Allied embargo.
Rifles and ammunition and some sam
pie machine guns are reported to have
passed Havana on their way to Mex
ico AS late as June of this year For
later shipments cargo space had been
reserved for October 14, on Holland
America Line steamers sailing out Of
Antwerp. and further space had been
reserved TOR Iampico, Vera Cruz and
Puerto Mexico on December 3.
The United States has been denv-
ing shipment Of arms and ammunition
INTO Mexico for many months for the
reason that they generally fell into the
hands of bandits and often were used
against Americans. Soon after the end
g the war the Mexican government
asked for the release of munitions
bought in this country in 1917, but it
was refused.
Such information as has now come
INTO the hands of the government shows
mat Mexico already was turning to Eu
ropean manufacturers for her supply
ana mas since placed enormous orders
Propaganda in Spain Hintcd
1t appears from the governments
Information that while the peace con
terence was III session in Paris and
General Mondragon, a prominent Meyi-
can. was there advising his govern
ment of It's probable course toward
Mexican affairs and particularly the
attitude Of the United States. the
Spanish munitions makers, with whom
large orders already had been placed.
were peliig urged 10 speed up the de-
ilVery OF powder and cartridges, and
particularly OF the machine guns,
which were reported to be a new tvpe
described as perfect and unimprovabie
General Mondragon, it appears, re.
ported from his conferences in Paris
that Mexico need not fear intervention
by the United States, but Information
received at the same time disclosed
that the orders for munitions steadily
were going forward. The information
IN the governments hands also dis
closes that the Mexican officials man
aging the affair were attempting to
estimate the attitude of Peru, Chile.
Argentina and other South American
countries if the United States Should
decide on Intervention.
That phase of the incident. however
is not regarded by officials here as
threatening. Such information as the
government has, however, shows that
Aguilar discussed the South American
attitude toward intervention during
his conferences in Europe, but official 5
here realize that the subject has al
ways been discussed among the Mcxi-
can statesmen.
Recent Mexican activities in Spain
are receiving attention. and consid-
cradle matter characterized as Mexi
can propaganda is being observed in
the Spanish press. The important part
taken By Mexicans in the Spanish cele-
bration Of the discovery Of America
last month also has been reported.
Meanwhile the activities of a Ger
man mission in Mexico are closely
being observed. Attempts by the
Mexican government at contiscation of
mines and oil wells, with an an
ho:
are being closely examined in connec-
ton with GermanY'a need for fhnae