Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-06-29
FATE A MYSTERY
Continued from PAGE One)

eral authorities to Obtain release of
the captive Americans.
The period granted by Gorrozave.
the rebel chief. for payment of the
ransom had elapsed even before
( departments advices were made
known here. Dire tions to the en-
bassy in Mexico City and to the con-
sui to insist on adequate protection
for American rights and sentiment
and upon punishment of the raiders
went forward at once. So far as
known late today no further word
has come from any quarter to dis
close what developed Tuesday morn
ing when the time limit expired.
The Washington government to-
day still Withheld any step that might
lead the way to demands that the
Mexican government give the Ameri-
cans in jeopardy protection. The
attitude at the State department
was that the reports now available.
serious as the situation appeared to
be on the face of Consul ShaW's
message, did not justify as yet de-
Spatch Of warships to Mexican wa
tiers or any similar step. Nothing
has yet come TO hand indicating that
The Obregon government is not as
it is expected to do, in the circum-
stances, dealing with the GoroZave
coup in way to safeguard American
lives and property.
There is one point in which the
message OF Consul Shaw does not
check up with what previously was
understood in official circles here to
be the situation in the Tampico
! region. The consul's message said
there were no Mexican federal
forces in the vicinity of the Aguarda
camp of the CorteZ Oil Company,
where the raid and capture took
place. Other reports indicate that
there are at least $500 Mexican
federal troops in the Tampico reg
ion.
Until recently there were apprOXi-
mately $4,000 Mexican federals in
the Tampico district. The troop con-
centration there was one of the larg-
est in the Mexican army. Indicating
the importance attached to maintain
ing firm hold of the oil regions by the
Mexican city authorities, and also
presumably the condition of unrest
prevailing in that region. Labor and
other disturbances to the south Of
Tampico a short time ago resulted in
the movement of considerable bodies
of troops to other points The result
was a heavy reduction of the avail
able forces near Tampico and it was
this condition, it was pointed out
:
GoroZave his opportunity. In view
of the serious consequences to Mex
! lean government which any injury
to the captive Americans would i'm
ply, however, it was argued, that the
government would feel necessary to
rush its forces back to the Tampico
region in sufficient strength to guar
antee protection of foreigners,
should that course be pursued. 1t
seemed more likely to officials here,
however. that the payment demand
ed by GorozzaVe would he made and
ultimately be assumed by the CEN
trail government rather than that
any untoward event should bring a
rigt in the negotiations with Wash
inston for diplomatic recognition of
the Obreeon government.
Release of A. Bruce Bielaski, held
for ransom by bandits near Cuerna-
Vaca cleared that situation. Charge
Summerlin reported Mr.. Bielaski's
release late today. saving he was
safe and we'll" and was expected to
arrive in Mexico City tonight. There
never has been much doubt here that
the former American government Of
fetal would he set free and no APP
prehonsion that relations between
Mexico and the United States would
become strained over the incident.
There is re question, however. that
the CorteZ Oil Company incident has
far more serious possibilities if fun
information sustains Consul Shaw's
! 1rst message. no Official comment
| was obtainable here nor any indica-
| ilon as to how long the Washington
government might be willing to wait
ICr negotiations between the MeXi-
can officials and the rebels to bring
;bout rclcG!e Of the cdptives.