Evening journal., 1922-06-27
MEXICANS HOLD
40 AMERICANS
Washington Demands Re-
lease of Citizens Detained
for Ransom
PAY $4,000 FOR
BILLASKI RELEASE
fcontlnued from FIrst PACE

the capture took place on Sunday
officials believe Shaw's message wa
held up by the Mexican censor. Th'
4s-hour limit expired Tuesday, d
was indicated.
Immediately after receiving news
of the second capture Of Americans
within four days, Hughes dispatched
identical notes to George summerlin,
American charge at Mexico City and
Shaw. directing them to make de-
mands on the Mexican Government
for the immediate release Of the
Americans "and punishment of the
perpetrators of the outrage"
The Cortez incident follows the
capture by Mexican bandits of A.
Bruce Beilaski, in the State of Nor
clos. Ten thousand pesos ransom
was demanded for him. Bielaski's S
employers in New York were report
ed TO have sent $500 TO the bandits
for his release.
This government is arounsed by
the two incidents. II was made plain
at the State Department and will in
sist that the Mexican government
take all steps necessary to punish
the bandits and guarantee Americans
against further raids.
The captures will be discussed
at today's cabinet meeting, 1t was
indicated.
Both the War and Navy Depart
ments are watching the situation, It
became known. They are keeping in
touch with the incidents through
the State Department. Fully a
week ago the State Department |
learned that a rigid censorship had |
been made effective by the Mexican |
government. The delay in Shaw's |
message is indicative that the cen |
sorship is still in effect.
Why the censorship was declared |
the War Department officials said |
they were not apprised.
The wholesale kidnappings un-
doubtedly will have a deterring eff
feet upon American recognition of
the obregon government, negotia-
tions toward which recently have
been progressing slowly but satis-
factorily.
The bandits raids indicate that
the Obregon government is not CIV
ing protection even in the Tampico
oil district.
No further steps aside from the
dispatch of the notes are expected
from the State Department until a
reply is received either from Mexican
oovar1r,,auf ~ Ctr,paarif- apd |
Shaw.
The Mexican government un-
dcubtedly win deal effectively with
the situation. one official said.
The State Department will follow
precedents in the Cortez and Bielaski
cases il was stated. Usually the pri-
gate concerns or individuals affected
pay the ransom demands and then
he state Department makes repre-
sentation TO the Mexican Government
'or the return of the money. There
5 little likelihood that the two lat
ast incidents will call for a show :
IF force by the United States. un- !
less the Mexican national govern :
nent should assume a lax attitude 9
n running down the bandits.
The navy's special service squad
ron in Caribbean waters is not a
great distance away and It is under f
stood that other naval vessels are y
near Tampico. +
The Galveston OF the special navy I
'quadron1n the caribbean is at Guam z
atanamo. Cuba.
The Birmingham. The Tamcoma {
and the Cleveland are in the Panama 7
Canal zone. Sl1aw's message on =
the Cortez Company seizure stated :
that Gen. Gorozade. with a force OF
240 heavily armed men swooped I
down on the camp and took charge
Of the property and workers. The a
property is valued at $3.50. 900 II was {
The Americans were placed under I
guard and warned against attempt '
ng to leave the camp. q
Officials here expressed alarm for .
he safety Of the prisoners as 4S hour
1ltimatum expired Tuesday accord n
ng TO their calculations. :,
Tne Cortez raid created a stir in
Congress where the prompt action
of the State Department in demand .
ng release Of the Americans was =
commended. II the Mexicans do not ;,
free their prisoners resolu- =
tons demanding that this govern :
ment take steps TO force them TO. :
VIII probably be introduced. 4
The occurrences, coming on the 4
heels Of the kidnapping of Bielaski i
probably Will cause a Mexican debate
and a reopening OF the old contro-
yersy in Congress concerning the
proper policy to be pursued towards
Mexico.
MEXICO TTrrX r,.~. ~ -. e..