The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1919-08-18
VIGOROUS WORD
SENT TO MEXICO
Lansing Says Representations
Concerning U. S. Airmen
Will Be Published.
BAKER RECEIVES MESSAGE
Injury to Men in Uniform Will
Be Breach of Interna-
tional Law.

City was instructed today by the
state department to Immediately
call on the Mexican government
for quick action to effect the re-
lease of Lieuts. Paul II. Davis
and Harold G. Peterson, Ameri-
can army aviators, who were
captured by Mexican bandits
near Candelaria, Tex, while pa
trolling the border and threat
ened with death today upon
failure of payment of $4,000.
The state departments an
nouncement said:
I The instructions pointed out
the seriousness with which the
United States government views
this situation and called for i'm
mediate adequate action"
The American consul at
Juarez also was instructed to
take all possible steps with the
Mexican authorities there to Sc
cure release and protection of
the officers.
State department officials said
the ransom demanded would be
paid as soon as information
could be had as to where and to
whom the money was to be de-
livered. 1t has not been decided
whether the United States
would furnish the sum and
charge 1t against the Carranza
government or call upon the
Mexican government to pay it
| direct.
$4,000 Cash Drawn.
Maria, Tex, Aug. f8.--Vioe-
Maria State bank, was authorized
by wealthy cattlemen of the Bio
Bend district to draw $4,000 in
cash from his bank early today
and to proceed to candeIaria,
Tex, to deliver this sum to Daw.
kins Fitzpatrick, for the ransom
of lieuts. Paul n. Davis and
Harold G. Peterson, American
aviators held for ransom by ban.
dts in Mexico.
Vigorous Reprssentstion.
Washington, Ang. 18.-Vigorous
representations were made to the
Mexican government today by the
state department concerning the cap
ture and detention OF two American
army aviators by bandits, who de-
mand $4,000 rCufom.
This announcement was made by
Secretary Lansin~. 1t also was an
nounced that Il complete statement,
including details of the capture of
the two officers and particulars re-
garding the representations made by
the American government, would be
given to the public later.
Official reports from MAJ Gen.
Dickman, commander of the aalth-
ern department. concerning the de-
tention of the aviators, were received
today at the war department, but
Secretary Baker refused to make
them public, saying the state depart
ment had entire supervision over the
matter.
The capture and detention Of the
army flyers is considered by officials
to be essentially different from other
cases of American citizens who have
been held for ransom. Members OF
the military forces Of a country, es-
pecially when in uniform, are direct
representatives of their government,
1t was said, and any injury or af-
front to them Is regarded as breach
of international law
Had Word Middle Last Week.
1t was learned today that the first
intimation Lieuts. Paul H. Davis and
Harold G. Petersen were missing
reached Washington the middle of
last week in dispatches from the
border which said a peon had seen
two aviators in a canyon sonth of the
canyon. They had been compelled
to land and were in trouble. Amer
lean army officials on the border were
then reported to be planning to send
relief to the two men and were given
to understand that the Mexican au-
thorities had no objection. The next
word was received on Saturday when
capture of the men by bandits was
reported.
Secretary Baker told senate com
mittee today that there was some
uncertainty as to whether the avia-
tors had landed in Mexico by mis-
side and were captured there. He
added, however, that he did not care
to go into any more details than thase
already published.
"It is just another evidence OF the
inability OF the Mexican government
to preserve order In that country,
isn't TT" asked Senator Sutherland,
republican. OF West Virginia.
The secretary replied that the men
had been captured in the Big Bend
country, which he explained was wild
and sparsely settled.
Mr.. Baker appeared before the
committee to testify regarding the
war departments plans for a perma-
nent military policy for the country.
Pending Transfer of Money.
FL Paso, Tex, Aug. 1S.-Notice that
proper authorization had been re-
ceived at Maria for the payment of
the $4,000 ransom for the release OF
the American aviators Peterson and
Davis, was received at military head
quarters here today by Brig Gen.
James b. Erwin, commander of the
FL Paso district. 1t was believed here
that Col. Langhorne Is taking the
steps to insure the safety
of the Americans by having hostages
held pending the transfer OF the z
kha 70 ,JaIf.va~.. 81 a.