The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1922-02-19
SENATORS PLAN
To HELP BARE
: OIL SCANDALS
Several Reported Ready to
Take Up Fight to Expose
Plots Against Mexico.
= BY Universal Service.

The oil scandal growing out Of at
tacks by the interests on President
Obregon of Mexico reused intense
interest yesterday In both the Sen
ate and the House. The effect OF the
White House statement characterlZ'
ing the conspirators who traded on
the names of high government OF.
ficials as frauds and cheats created
an impression that the situation will
reach a climax early next week.
Congressman Tom Connally Of
Texas, was to have spoken on the
oil plots in the House but again
was delayed by parliamentary pro.
cedure and delayed in his speech
until Monday.
Senators from agricultural states
are, understood to be in readiness
to take up the fight to bare the oil
plots on the floor of the Senate.
1t was reported that one or more
of this group will make speech
within the week urging recognition
of President Obregon.
PlOtters Block Probe.
With the White House, War De-
partment and State Department on
record as being unopposed to an
investigation. those who are block
ing an inquiry are in a position
where an explanation for a delay is
desirable. The Connally resolution
asking for an investigation is in the
hands of the State Department. 1t
was referred there by the Rules
Committee. of which Congressman
p. p. Campbell, of Kansas, is chair
man.
The Rules Committee has been
told that the State Department will
not be embarrassed in any pending
negotiations If an investigation is
had.
Information reached here yester-
day that Esteban Cantu, formerly
governor of Lower California, is in
New York City. Last week Univers sal
Service was informed that Cantu
was on his way to New York to con-
fer with oil agents.
Cantu was the choice Of certain
OF the oil interests in July of last
year to head a revolution against
Obregon. Manuel Pelaez was the
first choice, but il was predicted in
code messages in possession of Uni.
versal Service that Pelaez would be
arrested when he reached the Mex
lean border. This forecast was full
filled. AS an alternative, Cantu was
chosen. simultaneously, the Ma.
tional Association for the Protec-
ton Of American Rights in Mexico
centered its hopes on General Pablo
Gonzalez.
Plan Of COnspiratOrs.
In regard to the Cantu movement,
an agent of the oil interests wrote
to a Cantu aide on July 6, saying,
among other things:
Il wish you would tell Cantu that
in my opinion Pelaez will do moth.
ing in the way of starting anything
himself. l have despaired of this,
especially after his conduct in Los
Angeles. 1 believe that il Cantu takes
Lower California, and that if Pelaez
does not do something within fifteen
or twenty days thereafter, we can
arrange for the recognition of the
United State Government. / wish
that this thing might be done with
out the help of Pelaez, but l cannot
see any way to do 1t. Tell Mr.. Cantu
that the minute that he starts on
Lower California we will all get busy,
as we are sure that we can counter
act any Of the efforts of the friends
OF Gonzalez. 1t is useless for us to
try to discredit the latter until we
have a substitute to offer"
In a hitherto unpublished portion
Of letter written by a Cantu agent
to a prominent New York attorney,
the following excerpt appears:
Amy funds you can raise for the
cause will be guaranteed by the
governor (Cantu), and the sums ad-
vanced. with interest, will be repaid
as soon as the program is public
ally announced. A liberal account
should be established on which the
governor can draw when neccs-
sary."