New-York tribune., 1920-07-09

n41ae out. Of all tho attempted inter-
views with those who were there or
near BY, this with the General Marciano
Gonzales is typical:
nobody expected. shots were heard.
From the direction Of the sounds va
could know that they were by the hut
where the President slept. Came con-
fusion, shots, all. Then--you know
what happened"
And the defense" {"
There was no defense possible.
amigo milo. The surprise was per-
fectly prepared"
Cafranxa Shot Six Times
Six bullets tore through the body Of
Carranza.
No one has ever tried to explain how
In fight in the dark-every Witness
has insisted upon the appalling black
ness OF that night--six bullets from
outside the small hut found their way
into the body Of one man and no other
bullet found its way into any other of
the five men lying huddled close in
that one little room.
And no one has ever tried to explain
why, IN the time from the first shots
outside until the attackers appeared at
the door and ordered the ssrendicion"
OF the five absolutely untouched within,
not one hand was raised in defense Of
the old chief in the corner.
True, Herrero says the President
killed himself.
As proof Of this he appeared at the
"Diligencias" with paper signed by
ten of the Carranzista escort that
affirmed that Don venustiano had
killed himself.
What about this paper? Where did
fNAv vh~k -.
stances was it signed? In the very
first interviews after the crime with
those who were there or near general
mention was made of this document.
Herrero Gets Document
According to Captain Amador:
After the President was killed the
prisoners and later that morning were
taken to point kilometer from the
village with others sf the escort who
had been gathered in from the other
huts and barrancas where they had
hidden (not all; some escaped and
made their way back alone to safety.
Here Herrero said he was going to kill
all from generals to majors unless they
would make q document in which it
would be stated that the President
committed suicide. Aguirre Berlanga
(the one who slept beside the Presi-
dent) dictated out loud 60 Pauline
Fontes an act that is in the hands of
Herrero, an act in which it is set forth
that the President committed suicide.
Eight or ten of those present signed it,
naturally, at the point of gun. Then
Herrero said, From here l am going
to let you free to go ahead. l am not
going to give back your horses be-
cause | need them, nor your arms be-
cause my officers have already divided
them among themselves. And we all
went ahead, without horses or arms,
but free"
1t was with this document that Her
rero came freely into the City Of Mex
leo; with this document that he aP-
peared boldly at the "Diligencias." 1t
was with this document that he there
made the statement that was allowed
to stand unrefuted, that Carranza
killed himself.
Why was his statement allowed to
stand unrefuted? How was it pos
sible? 1t is necessary to understand
something of this procedure called
"Diligencias papa esclarecer la Muerte
del Senor Carranza."
Generals Are Accused
In the first place, appearing as SAC
cused" in this proceeding were the
four Carranzista generals, afterward
formally held"-Barragan, Urquizo,
Monies and Murguia; another Carran-
zista general, Francisco Mariel, and
one "civiP" Berlanga, Carranza's Min
lister Of State, who slept beside him
and who dictated the document saying
he had committed suicide. Appearing
as witness for the state" was Her
rero.
The Diligencias lasted three days.
First were taken the statements Of the
Carranzistas and of Herrero. This
part of the proceedings was in private.
Then came the "careos," the putting
face to face of the accused and the
accuser. During this each had short
opportunity to pass the lie to the other,
following which Immediately the judge
gave his decision. 1t was all over, ac-
cording Ito law, within seventy-two
hours. The four strongest Carran-
zista leaders were sent back to prison
and Herrer6 went back to his hotel
1t was called civil action and was
held before a civil judge, Senor Licen-
ciado Roman, Juez Sd, de Distrito
(Judge Roman of the Sd District
Court). Yet the law utilized to hold
as formally accused the four Carran7
zista generals was military. The for
NAL warrant issued by Judge Ro-
man holds the four men "respon-
sible for the death Of Seiior Carranza,"
because they "did not watch over the
personal security of Mr.. Carranza,
abandoning him in the thickest Of the
combat, not fulfilling what is definite
ly commanded by Articles 256 of the
Military Penal Code. 528. 536, 537 Of
the General Army Ordinance, and
sixth of the rules"
Cs,,;y Turszls~%sou C1u{rnad
In this warrant the legal jurisdiction
Of the civil court was given as Con
siderando Primero," "because there
exists among the accused one civilian
Aguirre Berlanga, this court is COM
petent to issue the warrant of for
mally held against the prisoners"
Considerando Segundo quoted mill
tary law for holding the four men most
wanted.
Considerable Tercero said chat as
Aguirre Berlanga held a civil char
acter- in the escort of Senor Carranza,
it is clear that the law invoked above
is not applicable to him, SO he is abb
solutely cleared of the charge"
All of which, any one must admit,
is "neat."
General Mariel, who presented Her
rero to Carranza, was let free because
it was proved that he left the escort
soon after Herrero Joined it, to go
ON detour of investigation.
Of the six men accused, Bcrlanga
twss the only one actually present at
4 the place and time of the crime. And
~ was the only one not brought into