New-York tribune., 1920-03-05
Threats Fail
1OHalt Border.
Inquiry by US.
Carranza Government Once
Again Tells Witnesses
Ruin Awaits Them in
Mexico if They Testify
Secret Hearings Ordered
Senate Committee Faces
Series of Handicaps in
Attempts to Learn Truth
By Wilbur Forrest

Specfd! Dispatch to Tho Tribune
TUCSON, Ariz., March 4.-After con.
siderable delay and great difficulty in
assembling Witnesses who will testify
regarding conditions in Mexico, the
subcommittee Of the United States
Senate decided to-day to continue it's
border Investigations despite the atti-
tude of the Carranza government
which is again threatening prospective
witnesses with Punishment from Mex
leo and virtual ruination Of their busi-
ness or property there.
Carranza is standing nat" in the
face of the protest made by the Amcri-
can Embassy in Mexico City against
persecution of those who dare to speak
openly regarding the systematic anti
American campaign waged for many
years in the southern republic.
Efforts to Thwart Inquiry
Members of the committee believe
that no more striking proof Of chaotic
affairs south of the borner could be
given than by the attitude of the Car
rama government, which has made al
most hysterical efforts to handicap the
senate's inquiry in every way since it's
inauguration.
BY reason of the intimidation cam
pa!gn waged by the Mexicans against
al who testify, the Senate committee
does find itself seriously handicapped
American business men along the New
Mexico and Arizona border who have
become terrified by Senate committee
subp9nas and summonses to tell
what they know are imploring the, COM
rittee to hear. them in secret or re-
lease them entirely from obligation to
testify. This. is especially true of
residents of Douglas and Nogales, bor-
der towns, who openly declare that they
do not feel like jeopardizing their busi-
ness and possibly their lives and the
'ives OF their employees when their
own government refuses to stand be-
nlnd them. Without this protection
they say they face ruin if they appear
oefore the Senators.
Ready to Resume Work
The committee planned to-day to re-
sumo its sessions at Tucson to-mor-
row upon the arrival of Senator Fall.
OF New Mexico, chairman of the BODY
senator Marcus Smith, of Arizona. has
been here for the last two weeks. Most
Of the witnesses will testify in secret.
Within the week the Senators plan
to open sessions in Los Angeles. where
conditions in southern California and
Lower California may be delved into.
The Los Angeles sessions are expected
to disclose to what extent the Mexi
can government has fostered distribu-
ton of "Red" propaganda in the United
States through it's consuls.
From Los Angeles the Senators will
go to Washington to prepare report
to the Senate as a whole.
The most recent Mexican outrape-
the killing Of Alexander Fraser and
John A. Fraser, his son, American
at Ruby, Ariz.. near here
will be thoroughly investigated by
the Senate committee. 1t is expected
to be ascertained why American troops
we're unable to cross into Mexico in
pursuit of the slayers. what connection
tho murderers had, if any, with recog-
nlzed authority on the Mexican side of
the international line, and whether
Mexican troops, as reported, have made
aav conscientious effort to capture the
bandits.