New-York tribune., 1922-07-01
All Kidnapped
AmericansFree.
Consul Reports
Washington Still in Doubt
Whether Bandits We're
Bought Off or Fled in
Face of Obregon Troops
Mexican Press Skeptical
Lack Proof to Supper, Hin,
Bielaski Abduction Is a
Fake; Ask Congress Probe

"ASfllNGION, June 30.-Americans
working for oil companies in the Tam
pieo region all have been released by
the bandits who kidnapped ara held
them for ransom, it was reported
to the State Department to-day.
Consul Shaw at Tampco reported
that the eightyhve persons held by
the raiders at Pecara camp Of La
Corona Oil Company were mo longer
held" Previously he had estimated
that six American citizens were in
cluded in this group, and new repre-
sentations that they be protected were
sent to Mexico City by the department.
Consul Shaw was asked for more
detailed report Of the most recent in
cident in the oil fields. 1t was not
known whether the bandits had been
bought OFF through payment Of rams ON
or driven off by the approach of Fed
eral forces. In view of the dearth Of
information, officials here continued
attitude since the report of the cap
ture of A. Bruce Bielaski near Cuer-
navaca
Frame Up, Says Mexican Press
The statement made by Mexico City
newspapers to-day tnat Bielaski con-
nived in his own abduction was not
commented on by officials here. 1t
was pointed out that official informa-
ton on the Belaski incident was con-
fined to the few brief messages sent
by Charge Summerlin in Mexico City.
There has been no suggestion in any
of these advices, it was said, that
tended to throw any suspicion around
the abduction.
Bielaski's friends said when they
heard this charge:
"He is not that sort of fellow. He
fights in the open. re would not go
through that suffering and hardship
to exploit himself"
In reporting the safe arrival OF BE
laski in the Mexican capital Wednes-
dav night Mr. Summerlln's message
added that the full text of the state
ment made to him by Blelaskl was
being forwarded by mail. If Mr.. Sum
merlin had received at that time any
communication from the Mexican gov
errmcnt indicating that the American
had planned his own capture, no mint
of such a note was contained IN the
telegram sent to the State depart
ment.
Congressional Inquiry Asked
So far rs recent events in Mexico
NAV affect the question of American
RECOGNITION of the Obregon govern
mert. the action to-day of Representa-
tive Connally. Democrat, of Texas, in
lavinc before the House n resolution
proposing a joint Congressional inquiry
into the instances Of bandit depreda-
ti0ns against Americans may be sig
niticant Of the impression being gained
in WASHINGTON from these incidents.
There was no discussion of the reso-
lrticn, under the rules, but Mr.. Con
rallv pointed out that if the published
repGrts were accurate they tended to
cast doubt on the ability of the Oorc-
gon government to MAINTAIN orue!'
while if they were not true 1t was evil
dent that some one was seeking to IN
jure the standing Of that government IN
the United States.
As all of the incidents in the series
are ~matters of official reports from
government agents in Mexico TO the
State Department, there seems to be
no reason to question their authenr
ticity, although, so far as known, the
eovernment's s,r Representatives have not
Sought to indicate the motives that
might underlie the occurrences or
their own opinions as to what prompt
cd the kdnapings. So far as the
American government is concerned 1t
has before it now only these repeated
instances where the bandlt outrage3
oae;nst Americans were physical facts
and we're dealt with as such. If there
is Hi'I more behind the incidents than is
anparent ~ much fuller information must
come in an official way to disclose the
trut h.