The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1922-06-29
FATE OF THE 40
In BANDITS HAND
STILL A MYSTERY
UItimatum of 4s Hours For Delivery of
Ransom Has Long Expired
5fELAskI FREED ON PAYMENT OF
TEN THOUSAND CASH BY co.
Washington Still WithhoIds Emphatic De-
n1and on Mexican Government.
tay The Assoelated Pressl

WASHINGTON, June 2S.-what MAY
have happened to 40 American employees
of the Cortez Oil Company, captured by
rebels near Tampico and held with the
company's property for ransom, remained
a mystery tonight. although the rebe,
raid occurred last Sunday morning.
No further word has come from Consul
Shaw at Tampico or from any other Of
ficial or unofficial source since the CON
sular dispatch of Monday saying that
lives of the 40 Americans and $50, 600 in
destructIbie property were held on forty
eight hours notice for a payment of f5, 900
pesos.
Department officials would not admit
in any formal way that they felt any un-
easiness because Of the lack OF informa-
tion.
Period Expired.
The per cd granted IS Gorozave, the
rebel chic for payment of the ransom
had elapsed even before the departments
advices were made known here.
Directions to the embassy in Mexico
City and to the consul to insist on ade-
quate prot ection for all American rights
and interests upon punishment OF the
raiders went forward at once.
So far as was known late toda. no
further word had come from any quarter
to disclose what developed Tuesday
morning when the time limit eSeired
No Demand so Far.
The Washington government today still
withheld any step that might pave the
way toward more emphatic demands that
the Mexican government accord the
Americans in Jeopardy full protection
The attitude taken at the state depart
ment was that the meagTe reports now
available. serious as the situation appear
ed to be, did not justify as yet despatch
of war ships to Mexican waters or any
similar steps.
Nothing has yet come to hand indicat-
ing that the Obregon government is not,
as it is expected to do in the circum-
stances. dealing with the Gorozave coup
In a way TO safeguard American lives and
property.
$1,000 Troops Ready.
Until recently there were approximately
Il 900 Mexican federals in the .Tampico
district. The troop concentration there
was one of the largest in the Mexican
army, indicating the Importance attached
to maintaining firm hold of the oil re-
gions by the Mexico City authorities.
In view of the serious consequences to
the Mexicang7vernmen which any injury
to the captive americans would imply,
L was argued that the Obregon govern
ment would feel it necessary to rush its
forces to the lamp region in sufficient
strength to ruarant-e protection of for
signers, should tina course be pursued. I
Bi Iloki Released
1t seemed NOR i ely to officials here, /
however, that the payment demanded by !
5orozave would be made and ultimately !
9e assumed by the central government /
'ather than that any untoward event !
should bring rift in negotiations with I
Washington for diplomatic recognition of +
he Obregon government.
Release of A. Bruce Bielasd held for T.
ansom by bandits near Cuernavaca,
Ieared that situation. Charge Summer
in reported to Mr.. Bielasl<i's release late
oday, saying he was "safe and welI'' and
vas expected to arrive in Mexico City to-
light.