The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-09-03
That Is AIibi Offered by GEN
eral Garea.
1t Seems the Commander Was
Taking HIS Siesta.
IS DOUBTED
L. :. Waits To See Where Plane
Was Flying First.
McXicen Officer Denies Troops
We're Told To Shoot.

Laredo, Texas, Sept. 3.-Mexi-
can federal soldiers made the at
tack yesterday upon an Ameri-
can army airplane fired upon
near here while on border patrol
duty, but the machine was
within Mexican territory at the
time, according to Mexican Con-
sui Garcia of Laredo.
The latter statement is denied
bv an American witness of the
attack. who declares the plane
was on the United States side.
The firing was ''unwarrant-
ed" the consul said, "and was
done in the absence of the de-
tachment's commander, and the
, case has been reported to the
.@sHpcrior authorities for instruc-
tons in regard to punishment of
those guilty"
Denies Ordering Firing.
Cen. Reynaldo Garca, commander
Of the Carranza garrison at Nuevo
Laredo. stated thru Consul Garcia that
Capt. David w. McNabb and his pi-
lot. Lieutenant Johnson were one XII
Ometer across the border when the
former was shot.
General Garca admitted the shoot
ing was done by soldiers of a Carranza
outpost but "emphatically denies Civ
ing forders to his troops TO fire at
American troops or aircraft. even if
they are on the Mexican side of the
boundary"
We're Not Across Border?
T. J. Leyendecker. county tax as
r. ~or of Webb county. who was on
his farm sixteen miles northwest of
Laredo when Captain McNabb and
Lieutenant Johnson. his pilot landed
there after the shooting. told the press
here today he could furnish evidence
by numerous witnesses that the Amer
leans were not on the Mexican side
of the border.
Leyendecker said many persons on
his farm saw the airplane, flying at
low altitude. along the contours of
san Isabel creek toward the Rio
Grande, when the Mexfcans opened
fire. He said these witnesses declared
the Mexicans fired scores Of shots
from the Mexican side of the Rio
Grande. and that the plane swerved
Immediately and started toward his
ranch house.
Numerous residents Of the village of
San Isabel also witnessed the shooting.
Leyendecker said. and will swear the
plane was over American soil when
the Cara nzistaS opened fire.
Went To Scene of Shooting.
General Garza's statement declares
that Immediately on learning of the
incident the general proceeded to the
spot near the mouth OF San Isabel
creek, on the Rio Grande. where
the shooting occurred. The soldiers
OF the outpost admitted the shooting
declaring the aviators were over Mex
lean soil.
The commander Of the outpost was
absent at the time.
Complaints Against Flyers.
The soldiers complained. General
Garza's statement said. they had re-
ceived many complaints of aviators
flying over Mexican soil. frightening
livestock. Cara said he had protest
ed the flying over Mexican soil, but
that his protests repeatedly had beer
ignored He said il had been report
ed to him the aviators had taken pho.
tographs of Mexican territory.
The statement, as given out at tn,
Mexican consuHs office, made no eff
fort to deny the shooting was done by
the Carranza outposts, hut went init
lengthy explanation attempting 4
, Justify the attack on u inds tn,
aviaturs' alleged flight over Mexicai
soil constituted a breach of interna
tional law.
Captain McNabb was resting cas-,
today and it was declared the bulle
wound in his head was not serious
Expedition Thought Unlikely.
Col. Beaumont 3. Buck. command
ing the Laredo district. would max
no statement today. pending instruc
CONTINUED on rage TwoJ