New-York tribune., 1920-08-27
Mexico Forbids
Ransom BePaid
To Kidnapers
Government Expects 10 At
tain Release of American
and British Subjects Held
Captive in Few Days
Troops Continue Pursuit
Huerta Begins Hard Cam.
paign Against Radicals;
May Involve Own Officers
By George E. Hyde
Special Cnb,c To the Yribunc


Copyright. 1890 New York Tribune Inc
MEXICO CITY. Aug. 26.-The De-
partment of War to-day instructed the
Esperanza Mining Company, employer
of w. A. Gardiner, one of the Ameri-
cans held prisoner by the bandit Pedro
Zamora for 100000 pesos ransom. not
to make any efforts to pay the sum,
as the government expects to obtain
the release of Gardiner in a few days
Similar instructions were issued in
regard to W. B. Johnson, the kid
naped British subject, as his friends
here also had been making an effort
to raise the $4,000 pesos demanded for
his release.
Reports to the Department of War
indicate that the military campaign
against Zamora is progressing salts
factorily, although slowly, owing to the
difficulty of locating the Zamora band.
A strong force is now executing a
flank movement to cut off Zamora's s
retreat and force him to fight, the
government reports show.
There have been reports that Zamora
was surrounded by Federal troops. An
other dispatch said his own men had
put him in irons and were ready to
turn him over to the government. The
report that Zamora had already sur
rendered and freed all the captives
could not be confirmed here 1t was
rumored that the government was ne
gotiatlng for the surrender Of the out
q MI In%
held by him as hostages against pun
ishment. This has caused much un-
favorable comment here. because of the
many atrocities committed by Zamora
and his men, although it is admitted
the government may be forced to ne
gotiate in order to avoid international
complications.
Drive Begun on Reds
An energetic campaign has been be-
gun against radical agitators by the
eral will be expelled from the country
shortly. The drive has met with op-
position, and some government officials
may have to make few changes in
minor Offices, but it is understood that
Provisional President de la Huerta is
determined to uproot foreign agitators
who are now making a living by ere
ating labor troubles in Mexico and pub
hshlng seditlous propaganda.
The campaign will not be confined to
Mexico City, but will be carried to
Tampico and other points where labor
troubles have been frequent lately, anC
where American, Spanish and other
professional agitators are gathering
The government has dispatched ar
agent to Campeche with special instruc
tlons regarding a campaign agains
Colonel Preve to prevent Campech,
from becoming possible center of re
bellion by those willing to. seize upor
the red flag unfurled there as a means
, of venting their political opposition tc
the present regime at Mexico City The
possibility of radical agitation being
the weapon which Will be employed b.
/ the governments enemies TO prepare
| the way for another revolution wa:
widely discussed in political circles to-
day and has caused some uneasiness.
Look to Serrano as Leader
While Congress hitherto has showr
an inclination to leave this question
out of the discussions it became evi-
dent that President de la Huerta is not
taking chances. General Francisco
Serrano. Under Secretary of War, vii
take his seat in the chamber. 1t is
generally believed Serrano, while
young and inexperienced in practica
politics, will supply a much-needec
leadership to the government majority
and with his strong character whip the
vacillating members back into the fold
Officials of the Ministry of Finance
commenting on the statement that the
oil producers already have advanced
sums more than covering their debts
to the Mexican government, said that
virtually all the companies had ad
vanced funds to Manuel Pelaez anC