The Washington herald., 1922-06-27
Ex-Chief of Department
Of Justice Bureau Held
For Ransom.
BANDITS RELEASE
WIFE OF CAPTIVE
Believe Government Will
Capture Bandits or Meet
Demands of .Kidnapers.

MEXICO CITY. June 26.-A
Bruce Bielaski. American lawyer
and oil man. is still being held
by his kidnapers. despite the fact
that the ransom demanded has
been forwarded from here. The
government and the American En-
bassy are taking all possible steps
to obtain Bielaskrs release, which
is momentarily expected.
1t is not believed the kidnapping
was political. as Bielaski was due
to close an important deal here
Monday and Is also involved in ar
important case in the district
courts.
Urgent representations have been
made by the American government
upon Mexican authorities to effect
the release unharmed of A. Bruce
Bielaski. captured by bandits and
held for $4,000 ransom.
Pending the immediate outcome
OF these. the State Department prob
ably will make no further move. A
message from Charge d'Affaires Sum
merlin at the American Embassy
in Mexico City reported that every
possible representation had been
made to the proper authori-
ties. 1t added that Mrs. Bielaski
had not ben kidnapped by the ban
dts and had arrived safely in Mex
leo City.
Because of the prominence OF
Bielaski. both because of his serv-
ices as chief of the Department OF
Justice Bureau of Investigation
during the war and in the oil bust
ness later. the KIDNAPPING has
served to accentuate the uneasiness
of American authorities over the
Mexican situation generally.
Oregon Faces Obstacles.
The policy of patience long pur-
sued by the Department toward
ObreEon regime has Seen based
largely upon personal thought not
oficisl assurances which Gen. Obre-
gon has communicated to this gov
ernment. Much of Obregon's CORES
pondence with this government has
beer conducted personally with
President Harding.
1t is known here that obstruc-
tions have been placed in Obregon's
way. which have delayed his going
the required length in meeting the
American governments basis for
recommendation And 1t has been
held here. that. until all patience
Is exhausted. there should be no ac-
ton by this government. either to-
ward r-essing Obregon or breaking
with him. Such action might Gre
ate a situation which would lead
to an extremely grave issue be-
tween the two countries. His de-
lay. however. has served to keep
native propaganda in the United
States demanding more vigorous
action.
Prompt Measures Urged.
For that reason there is hope
among officials that Obregon will
satisfactorily handle the latest
cause for irritation brought about
by the capture Of Bielaskf Sum-
merlin delivered his representa-
tions to the Mexican foreign office
on the matter in response to the
orders sent him by the State De-
partment through Acting Secretary
Phillips:
Urge appropriate authorities TO
take every possible measure to pro-
cure release of Bielaskf unharmed.
Promptly advise department of
Developments"
1t Is assumed here that the Mex
lean government will either effect
the capture or meet the ransom de-
mands Of the Mexican bandits who
held up the Rielaski party near
CernaHaca in the state of Morelos
Sunday; robbed Mrs. BielaskI and
Mrs. Manuel Rarcena. who with her
husband. was accompanying the
Bielakis on a motor trip. and then
held Bielaski and Barcena for ran
SOM
Disclosed War PIotters.
While Bielaski entered the Jus
tice Department under Attorney
General Wickersham. he first came
into prominence during the war for
his work in connection with Ger
man Vaccinations in this country
His revelations of plotters and
propagandists and his fight against
dramatic chapters in the history of
dramatic chapters in the history o
the war
Until it was confirmed that Eie-
laski was held merely for ransom.
there was concern among his fam
ily. several Of whom live here in
cluding his father. Rev. Alexander
eielaski. lest old enemies may have
captured him to mete out revenge.
Bielaski resides at Great Neck,
Long Island. ". Y. where his four
children are now. He Is vice presi-
dent of the Richmond Levering and
Company. with whom he associated
upon leaving the Justice Depart
ment in February. 1919. His father
here received a Letter from him re-
Gently saying he planned to leave
Mexico with Mrs. Bielaski June 20
having concluded the business for
his company which took him there