The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1920-05-26
INVESTIGATION Of
CARRANZA'S DEATH
IS RECOMMENDED
Commission Gives Details Of
Killing, But Says Further
Probe Would Be Advisable.
Some Facts Lacking.

MEXICO CITY, May 26 (By Asso-
ciated Press Formal investigation, for
the purpose of clarifying the part
taken in the death of President Car
ranza, both by Col, Rodolfo Herrera
and members of the Carranza party, is
recommended by the commission of four
named by Gems. Oregon and Gonzales
to Inquire into the tragedy. The COM
mission submitted its report last night
and cited 10 points which the members
OF witnesses. 1t was added that in a
number of points many other stories
purporting to tell the actual circum-
stances could not be confirmed and were
unworthy of credence.
=. The commissions report, which is the
first active story on the death OF Car
rama, may be summarized as follows:
'Col. Herrera Joined the Carranza
party at Putla, state Of Puebla, on May
~, following q conference with Gen.
Francisco De P, Mariel, to whom he
surrendered last March. Herrera pledged
fend Carranza, which promise was &C
cepted by Gen. Mariel, who told the
fugitive president that Herrera was
willing to fight for him. Gen. Marlel
then left the Carranza party and did
not 60 to Tlaxcalantongo.
when Carranza reached Tlaxcalan-
tongo he was led by Herrero to the
hut where he was to sleep. Herrero was
with Carranza when beds in this shell
ter were assigned to the president.
the interior; Mario Mendeg, chief Of
telegraph; GIL Farias, the presidents
private secretary, and Captains Amador
and Suarez, his aides. Gen. Murguia
and other members of the party We're
taken to different houses in the. VII
lage. Before retiring, CarranZa ordered
Capt. Suarez to assist in placing senti-
nels all of whom were Herrero's men.
"Herrero later told Carranza that
messenger had informed him his brother
was injured, whereupon Herrero left
the village, promising to return: At 3
o'clock on the morning OF May Il,
three of Herreros men entered the
presidents hut, stating they had been
ordered to report to him what the stu
alton was, adding that that nothing
new had occurred. Carranza listened
to the report. and then told the men
CThe report says this move was prob
ably for the purpose of ascertaining
II all in the hut were in bed and
whether Garranza had changed his po-
sition.)
Hut Is Attacked.
Half an hour later the, hut was
attacked from all sides. President car
rama was heard to cry: II can't get up,
a carbine so that he could defend him
self, but was answered by volley
which ended his life instantly.
THE other occupants of the hut fled,
as did those in the other shelters and
theretwas great confusion. ~ the vii
1 1age. TIerrero, at the head OF his men,
captured many of the party, who were
taken - miles away while others were
left in Tlaxcalantongo. Foul. or i've
of these prisoners were forced to sign
a statement that Carranza had conf CONT
FNpitted suicide. This statement was
dictated by Manual Aguirre Berlaga
and written by Pauline Fontes, direc-
tor of Mexican national railways
These facts are alleged to prove
conspiracy was prepared In adyance py
Herrero which inspired confidence in
him by Carranza and ended IN the
presidents betrayal"
The report recommends that formal
investigation be ordered to clear up
the other points of the incident Wnlch
relate to the part taken by aerIeroS
party. 1t was signed by Rogue Estrada
and Commodore Hilario Rodriguez,
named by Obregon, and Aquiles Elor-
duy and Gen. Fortunate Zuazua, ap-
pointed by Gen. Gonzales
Among the mass Of statements taken
nv the commissioners and attached to
the report were found these made by
Generals Bruno Neira, Pillar sanchez
and Hellodoro Perez. Captains Octavlo
Amador and Jupiter Ramirez. The pre-
amble to report gives as reasons for the
Recommendation for an investigation OF
the facts that Herrera fled, that his
information was not available and that
statements made. by Carranza,s com
panions conflicted in many particulars
Other points not touched upon in the
report, but contained in various state
ments attached to it, include an affida-
Wit by Gen. Juan Barragan, chief OF the
presidential staff. who said Herrero cap :.
tAred 60 OF the CarTanza party, 80 OF
whom escaped. The. rest were reles sed,
he declared, when Pauline Fontes paid
/. 900 pesos to Herrero's men by check.
Gen, Pillar Sanchez asserted the men
making the attack shouted: "Viva
Palaez!'
testified that Herrera told Gen. Perez
that the men he was Cooking for were
Luis Cabrera, secretary OF the treas
ury; Ygnacio Bonillas, former Mexican
ambassador at washington, and Gen.
Francisco Murgula, and that 'unfortu-
nately Carranza fell" Capt. Amador de-
clared that when Herrera liberated mis-
- COI Mar0uaZ Cnrnn