The Washington times., 1920-05-23
REBELS DENY BLAME
FOR CARRANzA'S DEATH

The provisional government Of
Mexico today disclsimed any respon-
sibility from the death of Venustiano
Carranza.
DR.. Tore Diaz, CONFIDENTIAL agent
of the provisional government, in a
statement issued here, said he was in
receipt OF advices that the death of
the fleeing official twas due to the
act of his own forces. under COM
mand of Rudolfo Herrera. former
federal officer Of the DiaZ regime,
who recently received amnesty from
Carranza." the statement added: .
THE killing of the ex-President
was due in no way TO any of the
troops OF the revolution, whose orders
were limited to making him prisoner
and seeing that he was safely con-
Quoted to the coast for embarkation.'
Diax TO Run Embassy.
Or. Diaz is expected to take charge
of the Mexican embassy this week.
He has already instructed Charge
d'Affaires Fernandez to cease func-
tionin~. and he indicated today that
inasr oh as the embassy is the prop
erty ne Mexican government and
the CarIanza government has ceased
to exist, he will seek to take over the
embassy.
Luis Morones. Mexican labor
leader. announced here this afternoon
that he has been appointed as the
temporary representative in the Unit
ed States of Governor de la Huerta
president of the Mexican revolut ion,
with instructions to work for close
relations between the United States
and the new Mexican government.
Morones had conference with
Samuel Gompers yesterday afternoon.
Though no statement was forthcom-
ing from Gompers' office, it is be-
lieved Gompers, acting both as presi-
dent of the American Federation of
Labor and head of the Pan American
Labor Federation, will exert his in
fluence to obtain recognition from the
Administration for the Oregon
forces.
Carranxa's Death Confirmed.
The State Department today hoped
to receive official reports concerning
the murder. of ex-President Carranza
early Friday.
The American embassy. at Mexico
City has been making a quiet investi-
cation of the news of the murder
received at that city.
Recognition--or the withholding of
IL by this Government of the new
Mexican regime may depend in great
part on what the American embassy
learns of the murder.
Representatives Of many American
oil interests with holdings in Mexico
now are here watching every move Of
the, state Department.
Representatives OF the revolu-
a al hISv nrnVidinU tho
State Department with most recent
news events in Mexico"
State Department officials guard
carefully all their utterances' con-
corning the Mexican situation.
The immediate questions In the
situation have to do with the assem-
bling of the Congress of revolution
lists in Mexico City this week and the
report of the committee sent by Gem
cral Obregon to investigate the Car
rama murder.
The congress was called by General
Obregon TO set UP a provisional gov
crnment function until the elections.
II the revolutionists reach agree
ment and set up provisional gov
eminent without further strife, Of
ficials here believe the chances OF
peace within Mexico viii be excellent.
Recognition by the United States
then might be possible quickly, 1t is
explained.
Diss Regrets Staying.
DR.. Diaz. in commenting on the
death OF Carranza, today said!
"The death of Carranza Is very
much to be regretted, especially SO
as when General Ohregon and the
other leaders of the revolution prac-
tisally had him in their hands thpy
cndcavored to have him accept a safe
conduct to leave the country and or
dcred all commanding officers to re-
spect his person in case he should be
made a prisoner.
Unfortunately, the stubbornness Of
Carranza inspired him TO refuse this
generous offer, preferring to run the
risk of n fight. pursued by numerous
forces, through country overun by
enemies and escorted only by men OF
doubtful loyalty"