The Omaha morning bee. [volume] (Omaha [Neb.]) 1922-1927, 1922-06-29
Fate of Men.
in Mexico.
aMystery a
l. 5. Government Withou,
Advices Concerning 40 Amer.
leans Kidnapped by Rebel
Band Near Tsmpico.
Authorizes Are Puzzled

Washington, June 2s-(By A. Pl
What may have happened 10 30
American employees oi the Coftez
Oil company. captured by rebels near
Tamp,co and held with the COM
pany's property for ransom. remain
ed q mystery tonight. although the
rebel raid occurred last Sunday morn
ing. No further word has come from
Consul Shaw al Tampieo or IRON
any other Official or unofficial source
since the consular dispatch OF Mon
DAY saying ,ha, lives OF the 40 Amer
irAns and S2So.00o IN destructible
rroperty were held as security on 4s
hours notice for q payment OF $4,000
pesos.
Department officials would no; ad-
mn; in any formal way that they ieli
any uneasiness because OF the lack
Of information. II was indicated tha,
delay in a complete clearing up OF
the situation was not regarded as un-
usual There is known TO be eonsie-
erable perplexi,y here, however, over
the fact that Consul Shaw has not
informed the State department as 10
steps taken by the Mexican federal
authorities to obtain release OF cap
tive Americans
Time Limit Expires.
The period granted Gorozave, the
rebel Chief. ior payment OF the ran
som had elapsed even before the de-
partment's advices were made known
here. Directions to the embassy in
Mexico and TO the consul to insist on
adequate protection for American
rights and settlement and upon pun
ishment OF the raiders went forward.
So far as known late today, no fur
ther word had come from any quar-
Ter to disclose what developed Tues
day morning when the time limit ex-
pred
The Washington government TO-
day still withheld any step that
might lead the way TO demands that
the Mexican government give the
Americans in jeopardy protection.
The attitude At the State department
was the reports now available. ser
ious n the situation appeared 10 be
On the face Of Consul Shaw's mes
sage, did not justify as vet dispatch
ing warships to Mexican waters or
any similar step. Noth;ag has yet
ccrne TO hand indicating that the
Obrcgon government is not, as il is
expected to do in the circumstances.
dealing with the Gorozave coup in a
way 10 safeguard American lives and
property.
Advices Do Not Agree.
There is one point in which the
message of Consul Shaw docs not
check TIP with what was previously
understood in official circles here to
be the situation in the Tampico
region. The .consuls message said
there were no rebel Mexican forces
IN the vicinity OF the Aguarda camp
OF the Cortez Oil company, where the
raio ard capture took place. Other
reports indicate that there are at
least $500 Mexican federal troops
IN the Tampioo region.
Until recently there were approx
mately $4,000 Mexican federals in
the Tampioo district. The troop
concentration there was one OF the
largest in the Mexican army. indi-
eating the importance attached TO
maintsining firm hold OF the oil re-
eions by the Mexico City authorl-
ties and also presumably the condi-
ton OF unrest prevailing in that
region. Labor and other disturb
anoes TO the south of Tampico a
short time ago resulted IN the move
rneat of considerable bodies Of
troops to other points. The result
was q heavy reduction OF the avail
able forces near Tanpico and it was
this condition, il was pointed out
here today. which probably gave
Gorozave his opportunity.
In view of the serious conse-
quences to the Mexican government
any injury to the captive Americans
would imply. however, it was argned
that the government would teel IT
,reoessary to rush its forces back TO
the Tampico region IN sutncient
strength to guarantee protection OF
foreigners, should that course be pur-
sued. It seemed more likely to Of
hcials here, however. that the pay
ment demanded by Gorozave would
be made and ultimately be assumed
by the central government rather
than that any untoward event should
bring = rift IN negotiations for dlplo-
u,ztic recognition Of the Obregon
government.
One Man Released.
Release OF A. Bruce Bielaski, sheld
for ransom by bandits near Cuer-
navaca. cleared that situation.
Charge Sunmeriin reported Mr..
BielasETs release late today, saying
he was safe and well" and was ex-
pec.ed to arrive IN Mexico City TO-
night.
There is no question, however,
that the Cortez Oil company Incl
dent has far more serious possibill-
ties il full information sustains
Consul Shaw's first message. No Oh
fetal comment was obtained here
nor any indication as 10 how long
the Washington government might
be willing to wait for negotiations
between the Mexican ofncials and
the rebels TO bring about release q
the osptives.