The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1920-05-26
Evidence Of Betrayal Of Trust And
Conspiracy To Murder Forthcoming at
Investigation Of Slay ying of Carranza
At Hands of General Herrera sSOldierS

Mexico City, May 26.-Formal inves-
dgaton for the purpose Of clarifying
the part taken in the death of
President Carranza, both by Colonel
Rodolfo Herrera and members Of the
Carranza party. prepared by the COM
mission Of four named by General
Obregon and Gonzales to inquire into
the tragedy at Tlaxcalantongo. The
commission submitted its report last
night and cited 10 points which mem
bers had agreed had been proved
from stories Of witnesses. 1t was ad-
ded that in number Of points,
many other stories purporting to tell
the actual circumstances could not
be confirmed and were unworthy of
credence.
The commissions report which Is
the first authoritative story Of the
death Of Carranza, may be summar'
ized as follows:
~"Colonel Herrera joined the Carran-
"a party at Putla, state Of Puebla,
On May 20, following a conference
with General Francisco de la Mariel,
10 whom ne surrendered last March.
Herrera claimed allegiance anew and
promised TO defend Carranza, which
promise was accepted by General Ma
riel, who told the fugitive president
that Herrera was willing to fight for
him. General Mariel then left the
Carranza party and did not so to
Tlaxcalantongo.
when Carranza reached Tlaxcal-
tongo he was led by Herrera to the
hut where he was to sleep. Herrera
was with Carranza when beds in this
shelter were assigned to the presi-
dent, Manuel Aguirre Berlanga, min
lister CT the interior; Mario Mendez,
chief of kilograms Gil Farias. the
presidents private secretary, and Cap
tains Amador and Suarez, his aides.
General Murguia, and other members
Of the party were taken to different
houses in the village. Before retir-
ing, CarranZa ordered Captain Suarez
to assist in placing sentinels, all Of
whom were Herrera's.
Herrera later told CarranZa that
a messenger had informed him his
brother was injured, whereupon he
left the village, promising to return.
At o'clock on the morning of May
81, three of Herrera's men entered
the presidents hut, stating they had
been ordered to report to him what
the situation was, adding that nothing
to the report and then told the men
to leave
('The report says this move was
probably for the purpose Of ascertain
ing If all in the hut were in bed.
and whether Carranza had changed
his position.
Half an hour later, the hut was at
tackled from all sides.
president Carranza was reported
to cry, I can't get up; my leg is
broken He then begged for car
bine so that he could defend himself,
but was answered by volley which
ended his life instantly.
"rhe other occupants Of the hut
fled, as did those in the other shell
ters and there was general confusion
In the village. Herrera, at the head
of his men, captured many Of the
party, who We're taken 16 miles away
while others We're left in Tlaxcalan-
tongo. Four or five Of these prison
ers were forced to sign q statement
that Carranza had committed suicide.
This statement was dictated by Man
uel Aguirre Berlanga, and written by
Pauline FonteS, director OF Mexican
national railways"
These facts are alleged to prove a
conspiracy was prepared in advance
by Hetrera. which inspired confidence
in him by CarranZa, and ended in
the presidents betrayal" The report
recommends that formal investiga
ton be entered to clear up the other
points Of the incident which relate
to the part taken by Herrera's mer
and members of the presidents party
II was signed by Rogue Estrada, ant
Commodore Hilario Rodriguez, named
BY Obregon, and AquloZ Elorduy. ant
General Fortunate Zuazua, appointed
by General Gonzales.
The preamble to the report give:
as reasons for the recommendatior
for an investigation, the Facts thai
Herrera fled; that his evidence was
not available and that statement:
made by Carranza's companions, con
flicted in many particulars.