The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-08-18
BY jay jerome Williams.

BY Jay Jerome Williams.
Washington, Aug f7.-Capture of
two American av.ators by Mexicans
may force the administrations hand
on It's announced radical change of
policy with regard to Mexico.
| While the department tonight
would not admit that il had received
the dispatch from the border, Secrc-
tary OF War Baker. General Peyton
c. March, chief OF staff. and Adju-
tant-General Harris held a conference
late tonight in the office of the secre-
tary. None Of the officials would ad-
NIT the receipt by the department IF
the message. telling OF the capture Of
the American youths and the actor.
of the Mexicans in holding them for
$3.50 ransom. If the men are not
released by tomorrow--the date set
for the payment OF. the ransom---and
the administration meant what it said
in the note which Charge D'Afaires
Summeriin transmitted to the Mexi-
can foreign office. American troops
may cross the border within a day
or two in an attempt to rescue the
ayiators.
Ever since the announcement OF the
contents of the Summerlin note and
the text Of the Mexican reply the
state department has maintained
discreet silence on Mexican affairs. It's
officials have taken the view that tn,
next overt act against an American
citizen in Mexico would decide what
ever course Of action the United
States would pursue. To all intents
and purposes. the overt act has been
perpetrated.
Details of the latest affront are eS-
pected tomorrow morning from either
the state or war department, together
with an announcement OF the policy
to be adopted by this government.
Secretary Baker would no say anything
regarding 1t tonight.
II cannot make any comment at all
on that he said when the substance
of the dispatch was called to his at
tertion.
Demand Satisfaction.
Meantime. in the absence OF an in
formative statement from either the
state or war department. IL is pre-
sumed that whatever action this gov
eminent eventually takes will rest
largely on events in Mexico City. IL
Csrranxa. by tomorrow. announces that
bandits were the cSptors OF the Ameri-
can flyers, and orders large force OF
Federal soldiers In pursuit OF them,
the state department may rely on his
efforts for the time being. at least.
Prompt satisfaction from Carranxa.
however, will have to be forthcoming
Of the situation. Developments in Mex
leo In the past few months have been
sach that the patience Of even the adj
ministration has almost reached the
breaking point Not content with the
irritation 1t has caused Americans res
ident in Mexico, the Carranza govern
ment has deliberately given anront TO
TIE British government by summary
expulsion Of Its charge d'Anaires In
Mexico city
And added to this Ia the ever present
Est OF American citizens who have
been murdered. American women who
have been ravaged. American children
Who have been kidnapped. and Amert-
cans who have seen their property con-
fiscated by Mexican authoritSeA
Carranza. though. may ATTEMPT to
avert trouble BY tho prompt payment
Of the sum demanded AZ ransom as ne
did several weeks ago In the case OF
the fourteen year old son OF an amer
lean citizen. who was taken from his
fathers ranch, within thirty miles OF
Mexico city, and held for ransom. The
Carranza government advised the
f.ther to pay the amount asked BY
the bandits and assured him thas the
government would reimburse him. This
was done and the child WAS released.
Eleven American citizens have been
Killed In Mexico since the first Of the
year. ana scores OF otncTe HaSo SuA
fered outrages and injuries at tho hands
az the bandits roaming the country.
The death list was supplied BY Henry
p. Fletcher. American ambassador TO
Mexico. before the house committee on
rules when he testified concerning the
Mexican situation.
There are between 10000 and $4,000
American troops on or near the border
now under the command Of Major
General Dickman. Within easy reach
are suffictent aerial sQuadrons to act
az escort for almost any size force.
Concern II Felt.
FL Paso Tex, Aug. l7.--Grave con-
Germ is felt for Paul Davis ana =. y.
Peterson. United states army aviators.
lost in Mexico and said to be held by
yillistas about nifty miles south OF
Maria. Texas. for $4,000 ransom. The
captivcs will be shot tomorrow, unless
tho ransom is paid. according to word
reaching here.
In the demand for ransom. accord
ing to tho information. II was stipu-
lated the money must be In American
gold Must what steps the government
is taking to save the two men was mot
revealed here.
Lieutenants Davis and Peterson will
be saved from 4 nring squad Y pay
rnent Of the ransom dema nded will save
them. according to decision reached
3ats tonight ~. = cpnfeTenee q which
II was considered the matter ot 0oSe
Immediate Importance waa ~ GAve the
anssn ky NJ sslssst pa1steas AnAae--;