New-York tribune., 1920-01-17
German Army
Officers Flock
To Carranzistas
Joining Mexican Forces in
Increasing Numbers, Wit.
ness Tells Fall Senate
Investigating Committee
By Wilbur Forrest

~
By Wilbur Forrest
Copyright. 1920. New York Tribune lncJ
SAN ANTONIO, Tex, Jan. 16.-A
secret witness before the Fall Senate
committee, holding sessions here to in
vestigate the Mexican situation, to-day
called attention to the increasing
number of German military officers
appearing with the Carranza army in
Mexico. These officers in most cases
wear their own uniforms, although
they bedeck themselves with Mexican
insignia, according to the information.
Evidence which would corroborate
the assumption that Germans have
been playing" with the Carranzistas
for some time in Mexico was presented
to the committee in public session by
ii. M. Handshy, formerly bullion in
spector for the National Mines and
Smelling Company, Pittsburgh cor
poration operating in Chihuahua.
Handshy testified that from twenty
five to fifty expert German mechanics
had charge of the Carranza government
arsenal at Chihuahua City the last
time he visited that place in 1917
Handshy knew many of these Ger
man reservsts personally from con-
tact with them in mines near Phoenix
and Bisbee, Ariz.. before America en-
tered the European war. They were
driven from the United States for &C.
tivities connected with the |. w. W..
he said
Carranza Favors Germans
Many witnesses have testified the
last few days that Germans in Mexico
were objects Of special favor During
raids on two American agricultural
colonies the only farmers allowed to
remain unmolested were Germans.
Handshy gave Francisco Villa credit
for saving his life when Villa dvna-
mited the Pittsburgh corporations
large smeltcr near fNagistral, Chihua-
hua, with loss to the corporation of
100000, in 1917. Although 900 Car
ranzista troops were Gust over the
hill" they made no effort to stop
Villas raid on the smelter the witness
said. Before the Villistas discovered
the company store of dynamite and
blew the smeltcr into the air they cap
tured Handshy and George Smith, the
smclter manager, who had hidden on
the roof. Smith was Immediately
taken out and hanged to tree. Vii
lista soldiers had placed the rope
about Handshy's neck twice and were
himself appeared. Villa stopped the
execution and "treated me nicely,
feeding me and eventually warning
me to go to the Ell Orc mine nearby
for protection against the Carranzis-
tas," the witness testified.
Treated Fine by Villa
Handshy said that Villa explained
the destruction of the smelter by de-
clarng he merely wanted to show the
people of the United States that Car
rama could not fulfill guarantees that
American lives and property would be
respected in Mexico.
"You were friendly with Nilla?" Sem
ator Fall asked the witness.
Yes, he sure treated me fine" Hand
shy answered.
After he took the rope off your
neck" Senator Fail Observed
Handshy testified that Villa gave him
a passport. which he eventually had
photographed, sending copies to presi-
dent Wilson, Senator Shepherd and
Representative Slayden at Washington.
Merchants Of Parral, Chihuahua, told
llandshy later they much preferred
Villa in their town TO Carranxista
troops, the witness added.
Committee Told of Raid
Accounts Of financial ruin OF Amer
lean families in Mexico aud Of standing
a plucky American girl against wall
to be shot were high lights in the
early testimony before the committee
to-day Miss Anita Whatley, modern
language supervisor for the Texas De-
partment of Education, related story
typical Of the outrages Americans have
suffered in the northern part of Mex
leo.
The Whatlcy family, consisting of
father, mother, three daughters and a
paralytc son, went to Mexico from
Texas because OF the fathers health,
the witness testified. They bought n
ranch, forty miles from Parral, Chihua-
hua, and imported 200 registered Jer-
sey cows to establish dairy Mrs.
Whatley, her daughters and son re-
NAMED in Parral to conduct the dairy,
while the father lived on the ranch.
The ranch was stocked with 600 or TOO
head Of cattle in addition to the regis
tered dairy stock.
Miss Whitley. an extremely pretty
girl, spoke for the family on the wit
ness stand to-day. Before she finished
tears filled her eyes.
Girl Faced Firing Squad
"On the night of July 4, 1911" she
said, "my mother, who operated our
dairy business in town, was awakened
tn find hpr ho1rO0m fil1ad with nr,,, n Il
Hnaa Asaa.a<l o.a mara f.....