The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1919-08-23
U. S. men CROSS
MEXICAN BOP DER
IN BANDIT CHASE
Punitive, Expedition Conducted
With Full knowledge Of
Washington Officials.
TROOPS or 9TH CAVALRY GO
Aviators Peterson and Davis Who
Were Released After Part of Ran
som Was Paid, Accompany
Force Seeking Outlaws.

Force Seeking Outlaws.
Candelaria, Tex, Aug. 20.-TroopS
of the Eighth cavalry crossed the Mex
lean border in pursuit of the bandits
that held American aviators for ran
som. The aviators, Davis and Peter
son, accompanied the troops as guides
Aviators cooperating with the cav
airy. in pursuit of the Mexican bandits
are flying over the district south OF
Candelaria.
U. S. Force After Outlaws.
Washington, Aug 20.-The Ameri'
can punitive expedition into Mexico
after the bandits who held the two
American aviators is being conducted
with the full knowledge Of authori,
ties in Washington, who have been
Withholding announcement of the gov
ernment's purpose until the two Amer
leans were safe. Secretary Baker said
the pursuit was under specific instruc-
ton from the war department
Word also is being awaited from
the CarranZa government upon when
the state department yesterday called
for Immediate adequate action" to Sc
cure the release of the Americans On
th. result Of action by Carranza in
tile matter are expected in q large de-
gree to hinge the future relations be-
tween Mexico and the United States.
While there appeared little doubt
\ that here was no intention to wait
fol the Mexican government TO pay
the ransom, there had been no official
announcement, concerning by whom
and when the ransom was to be paid
Eventually, however, the Carranza
government was expected to pay the
amount.
Frees Airmen; Fools Bandits.
Maria, Tex, Aug. 20.-Lieut. H. G.
Peterson and Lieut.. Paul HI. Davis
United States army aviators, held
prisoners by Mexicans since last
Wednesday after being forced to land
the preceding Sunday on Mexican soil
were released by Mexican bandits af
ter the payment of $500 of the $15,
600 demanded.
Captain Matlack, who took the ran
som money across the border, paid
half the ransom money for the release
of Lieutenant Peterson, and, wheI
Liuetenant Davis was delivered to
him, he galloped away with the Off
Ger, without making the final payment
The aviators had wandered from
Sunday afternoon until Wednesday
along the Conchos river near Falomlr
Chihuahua, under the impression they
were on the Rio Grande.
Had a great experience" was Pc
terson's message to his father.
One attempt was made to escape by
the aviatG>S They were threatened
with death if they tried again.
Twenty Bandits in Band.
Jesus Renteria and band of five
MeXicans accomplished their capture
There were twenty bandits at ranch
where they were held.
BY a prearranged plan Captain Mat
lack awaited fire signal from the
Mexicans, which came after midnight
and then crossed the border with the
ransom money.
Lieutenant Peterson crossed the Dor.
der to the American side at 1 10 a. m
and Captain Matlack brought back
Lieutenant Davis at two.
Captain Matlack said this morning
that the two aviators landed in Mex.
leo. He declared they thought they
had landed in the United States, and
this impression on their part was not
corrected until after they had reached
the border today. y
The aviators, the captain explained
had become confused while in the air
and had mistaken the Conchos river
for the Rio Grande. Instead Of land
ing near Candelaria, as they thought
they had landed at point near Falo.
mir, Chihuahua, more than forty miles
up the Conchos river, where they
abandoned their wrecked airplane af
ter stripping 1t of machine guns and
vital parts, which might make it OF
use to the Mexicans.
Captured Wednesday Morning.
Thinking they were on the Rio
Grande, they started down stream in
an effort to locate Candelaria and re
port their accident to military head
quarters. They landed at II 80 Sun
day afternoon and We're picked W
Wednesday morning by the Renteria
band.
They were taken into the noun
tains, but thought they wereiapproach
Ing Valentine. Tex. They Awara tald