The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1920-02-03
MEXICO TO RELEASE
TWO US AV|ATORS
Men Lose Way and Are
Forced to Land Below
the Border

DOUGLAS, Ariz. Feb. s.---Lieuten-
ants q. l.. Usher, and l.. N. Wolf. OF
the twelfth aero squadron. OF FL Paso.
who yesterday afternoon made a
forced landing fifteen miles south OF
Nacozari. sonora. which town is 70
miles south OF Douglas. this morning
were slll prisoners OF the Mexican
authorities at Nacozari. However.
their impriaonment Ia merely technl-
cal, ana they are being treated with
the greatest courtesy.
The two nVihtors spent last night
IN the onice uf Francisco NJ. PernKn,
presidente municipal OF Nacozari.
where bed was provided for them.
This morning Governor Adoifo De la
Huerta OF Sonora telographed Presl-
dente Pcraza TO proceed with the two
aViators to the place whore the plane
Is being guarded, fifteen miles south
OF Nacozari, and make a written re-
port In the entire matter.
Americans at Nacozah this morn
ing expressed the belief that H.. two
Americans would be released before
tho day is over. orders to that effect
are expected from Mexico Ciiy.
though definite action MAJ not be
taken until the report Of Presidente
peraza h. received.
Lost on Way.
when the two American Rlrmen
landed in Mexico yesterday afternoon
they were enroute from ~ Paso to
Nogules. According to their state
ment made after the landing, their
compass had failed To work practi-
cally since they took the air. They
were seen first In McNico at Fronteras
thirty miles south OF Dougihs. A lit
tie later tho machine was seen to
circle over the town OF Nacozari. then
proceed southwark. From Cumpgs,
thirty miles south OF Nacoznri Il was
seen to land about half way between
| the two towns. This was at the
ranch OF NJ. NJ. Sherman. an Amer
| lean, where the plane was forced To-
| land because OF engine trouble. ana
in landing one OF the planes was con-
siderably damaged.
The aviators proceeded 10 Naco-
zari. where they were detained by
order OF the presidente, pending All
/ investigation.
Yesterday evening there was a con-
! flict OF authority between the presi-
dentes Of Cumpus and Nacozari. as
| the machine was In the Jurisdiction OF
/ the former and the Gviatora OF tho
latter The matter was settled when
Major Manuel Mesa went from Aqua
Prieta yesterday afternoon and as
sumed entire charge OF the military
phase OF the situation. His first act
was TO send a guard 20 see that the
nirplauo was not molested.
May Fly Baca.
Accompanying presidente peraza
and the two aviators this morning
when thcy went 10 inspect the plane
were two American employees Of th'
Moctezumu Copper company, OF Naco
zarl. one a former aviato- with th'
American army In France, and th'
other an expert mechanician, ORDER
were received by Mexican officials {,
bring the plane to Nacoznri, and I
il expected TO arrive there some tint
today. II II can be repaired SUM
ciently 10 take the air. the two nvi
ntors will probably fiy back 10 th'
United States. II not, they Will CONT
out by train.
Arturo Elias, wealthy cattle mar
OF Sonora and q brother OF Genera
=. Elias Gales. has Interested him
self In securing the release OF th'
Americans.
The landing OF the American
Iayiators in Mexico 4 said TO have
caused some excitement among th'
ignorant class among whom tn
report was circulated that the plan'
carried four machine guns and
large quantity OF apnmunitlon.
The aviators themselves are sad Il
be taking their experience as n goo'
Joke on themselves and are rnthe
enjoying the novel situation.
.