El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1920-08-23
IS
KEPT IN MEXICO


nine days fncommunicado. Every
thing was taken from me at the time
OF my arrest-my luggage, my papers
and all my money. None OF these has
been returned 10 me and I am to be
sent across the river without funds.
Carried Letter to Huertn.
When demanded 10 know why I
was TO be deported was told It was
because I had given testimony detri-
mental TO Mexico before the FAN in
vestigating committee This is not
true 1 did 90 before the committee,
but merely 70 identify another Wit
ness, a Mexican named II. Mendez.
whom knew to be receiving $500 a
month from the German embassy as a
SPY against the United States.
Ny arrest and imprisonment were
effected Notwithstanding the fact
that I went into Mexico bearing let
ters from the consul general T r.
Beltran. at san Antonio to president
De Ia Huerta and to Col. Gaxiola-
Mexican army officer. In these let
tiers, both military and civil authori-
ties OF Mexico were Instructed to give
me every guaranty and protection
during my stay in Mexico.
Il left Laredo for Mexico City on
August ?. The purpose OF my visit
was to secure my effects. including
number Of valuable papers and Sl4.800
which had secreted at point on the
western coast OF Mexico. I did not
succeed in reaching their place OF
concealment before 1 was thrown into
prison
Il was also doing some special IN
vestigation work in connection with
the blowing I'd or the Black Tom and
Kingslaud Island ammunition fac
tories by German spies during the
war. The instigator OF those ex-
plosions is known 10 me and is pres
ent in Mexico City.
Arrested by Gales.
"On my arrival in the Mexican
capital Immediately called on
president de Ia Huerta to submit my
letter 10 him The president was i'll.
however. and unable to see me I
then called on Col Gaxila. who re-
ceived me in a friendly mauner and
advised me 70 call on Cen Gales /
did so and as soon as had made my
self known to him. Gales called an
orderly and ordered; Put this man in
prison There was no further ex-
planation. During the 9 days I lay IN
the Santiago military prison I was
allowed to communicate with no one
I was not allowed to have my vahse
from the hotel for a change Of linen
nor would they allow me a piece OF
.-rhe only thing for which an
grateful TO Mexico is the considera-
ton shown me during the trip by my
guard, Col Santos Mendosa and Nal
Julio Parades Jiminez- We we're de-
layed because OF Washouts along the
road. and the two officers who had
me in custody showed me many little
kindnesses.
Finally Gets To @washup.s
"On ny arrival in Juzrez. at my re-
quest, Col Mendosa took me to
hotel in order that might wash off
the CRIME Of "A days"
Dr. Altendorff said he was a Pole
by birth but had been a citizen Of
the United States for several years
He speaks English fluently- He is
also a member OF the American legion,
John Francis Bryan post, New York
During the war. DR.. Altendor1
worked for the United States secret
service in Mexico. and later wrote a
series OF articles on Mexico which ap-
peared in The Fl Paso Herald. and in
which Gen. Gales was mentioned in
exceedingly unflzttering terms. DR..
Altendorf said that as yet he had
made no plans for the future and did