The Washington times., 1919-07-24
FALL ADMITS
HE AGREED
TOINTERvIEW
WITH VILLA

The Mexican governments threat
to expose Senator Albert B. Fall, of
New Mexico, as a would-be ally of
Francisco Villa by making public
captured letters was met by Fail
today when he voluntarily disclosed
what he declares is the correspond
ence bearing on the matter.
None of the letters he gave out
showed any direct communication or
connection between Fall and Villa.
Among the letters made public by
Fall were two he wrote Charles F.
Hunt, broker, of FL Paso, in which
he said he was willing to meet Villa
for a conference, provided Villa
made In advance ian absolute pledge
of respect for American lives and
property, Of respect for treaty OBJ
legations, etc"
Alleges Trap Set
Included also was a letter Fall said
he had been informed the State De-
compromise him by disclosing alleged
NEGOTIATIONS with Villa. This letter
was alleged to have been written in
1917 to villa by Hunt, who was a close
friend of Fall, Offering to arrange q
conference between Villa and several
influential Americans, including Fall,
with the object of gaining American
backing for villas campaign against
CarrSnZa.
Fall, in his letters to Hunt, said
that. although he was willing to meet
any Mexican leaders, he did not be-
lieve any of them would be able to
restore order.
FAN gave out a letter he wrote
Secretary Lansing, March Il, 1917,
after he had been informed that
George {. Carothers, a State Depart
ment agent on the border, had prob
ably obtained a copy of Hunts pro-
posal to villa In this letter Fall
declared he had done nothing illegal
and that he had no apologies.
Seven Letters Given Ont.
Seven letters were given out, all
bearing dates early in 1917.
The cause Of Fall making public the
correspondence was an official an
nouncement made in, Mexico City on
Tuesday that the government would
publish letters captured at Juarez
during Villas last raid on that town.
The correspondence, il was stated, in
cluded letters .intimating to Villa that
Fall and other Americans wished TO
visit him at some appointed place in
chihuahua state to discuss extension
Of aid in his campaign against Car
rama
The first letter, written by Hunt to
Villa in January, 1917, said in part:
IF you will meet me at a place
designated by you on the border,
promise to bring to our conference
one of the most eminent statesmen in
the United States, with powerful in
fuence with both our political parties,
relative tc questions pertaining to
Mexico. refer to United States Sen
stor Albert B. Fall, who appreciates
the Mexican people, and no living
American knows the conditions in
Mexico better than he.
@PreEs Is With villa.
Now, General Villa, 1 have dis
cussed this question thoroughly with
Senator Fall and most Of the prouni-
nent mining men of chihuahua, and
the press of this country is generally
with you in forming a stable govern
ment. especially in northern Mexico,
and / firmly believe that il you will
FIX a time and place to meet Senator
Pan, any place in Chihuahua, that he
and some of his friends will visit you
at the time and~place fixed, and I be-
heve that you can organize a plan TO
forward your interests, there being
only one condition which they will
require Of you; that is. that you pro-