Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-08-18

Up
Father
BY
GEORGE
M'MANUS
EDANuEls WELCOMES PAc lF1c FLEET AS IT ENDS TRIP FROM THE ATLANTIC
Mexicans Holding U. S.
Aviators For Ranso,
/Continued From Page ~

Aviators For Ransom
l. /Continued From Page ~
paid with the approval Of the state
department., and belief was expressed
hat this course would be followed in
the case of the two aviators.
Official Report.
Official reports from Major General
Dickman, commander of the southern
department.. concerning the detention
Of the aviators, were received today
at the war department., but Secretary
Baker refused to make them public.
saying the state department mad en-
tire supervision over the matter.
AS soon as he reached his office
this morning, Mr.. Baker went into
conference with several bureau chiefs,
but there was no information that the
Mexican situation was discussed.
Grave Offence.
The capture and detention of the
army fiers is considered by officials
here to be essentially different from
other cases of American citizens who
have been held for ransom.
Members of the military forces of a
country. especially when in uniform.
are direct representatives of their
government. it was said. and any in
jury or affront to them is regarded as
Il DTedCH VI 4nleTlldtlOHdl INV.
State department officials said the
ransom demanded woul be paid as
500 as information could be had as
to where and to whom the one
was to be delivered. 1t has not been
decided whether the United States
would furnish the sung and charge it
against the Carranza~ government or
call upon the Mexican government
to pay it direct.
Capture Reported Saturday.
1t was learned today that the first
intimation that the officers-Lieuten-
ant Paul II. Davis and Harold Peter
son-were missing, reached Washing
ton the middle Of last week in dis
patches from the border which said
a con had reported that two avia-
tors were in a ayo south Of the
border. 1t was understood that the
aviators had been compelled to land
in Mexico 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 hat the Mexican au-
thorities had no objection. The new
word received vas or Saturday when
the capture of the two men by bandits
was reported.
Secretary Baker told a senate'com-
mittee today that there was some
uncertainty as to whether the aviators
had landed by mistake in Mexico or,
as they claimed, had landed on the
American side and were captured
there. He added, however, that he
did not care to go into any more de-
tails than these already published.
Shows Inability.
But it is just another. evidence of
the inability of the Mexican govern
ment to preserve order in that coun-
try, isn't it?", asked Senator Suther-
land, Republican. 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 COM
mittee to testify regarding the war
departments plans for a permanent
military policy for the country,
Father Anxious.
st. Paul. Mimi. Aug. 18.-Sam G..
Peterson, father of Lieutenant Harold
IG. Peterson, who with Lieutenant
Paul H. Davis is held for $4,000 ran
Governor Burnnuist today to learn
: what might be done in connection
!, with raising the required ransom.
:, Il appreciate the fact that others
have already raised the money re-
: quired, according to reports he said,
but 1 am going to get it myself and
be sure that there is no mistake.
When it is a question Of having a re-
i CURED amount of money at a certain
time. or your only son will be killed
I'm going to get the money myself
and be sure that there is no misun.
d~erstanding."
Mr.. Peterson sal he was satisfied
that everything possible would be
done for his son. When advised thi.
morning that the state department,
had ordered its representatives IL
Mexico to call upon that government
for quick release of the two arm,
MOS M Peterson said it wou,a be i'm.
possible for him to get the money tc
n appointed place in time to saw
the lie OF his son n other aviator
should the bandits carry out theil
threat He sent a message to that eft.
1ect to his son last night.
Father Has Money.
Hutchinson, Mimi. Aug. 1s.-San
6: Peterson, father Of Lieutenant
Harold G. Peterson, who is held TO,
ransom by Mexican bandits, arrived
mere today after a hurried visit t.
st. Paul, where he conferred will
state oh1cials. He announced tina
ne MAJ decided to raise the amour
. OF the ransom himself and not depen
on others FOR the safety of his son
Mr.. Peterson was told that the AS
ISOLATED Press this morning carried
information that the railroad ran
som had been raised by Texas ranch
ers. He at once communicated witt
Minnesota congressman at Washing
ton, asking them to use their influ
ence to assure the release of his so1
and his companion before the ex
piraton of the time limit set by tn
. bandits.
Cano's Band.
According to reports brought fron
the river, there seems to be lttl
doubt there hat the bandit band /
led by Chico Cano, who has bee,
charged with many raids and killing
in The RE Rnnd diafxok inol.aAIa. AZ