The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-07-18
OBREGON FOES
DENY Death IS
DUE TO PLOT
Bitter Political Opponents
Protest Horror at
Leaders Murder.
KILLER HELD FANATIC
President Elect Shot Down
in Cafe as He ConferS
With Advisers.
KILLER HELD FANATIC

BY G. F. FINE,

MEXICO CITY, July 18.-The
body of Gen. Alvaro Obregon, preSi-
dent-elect, today will be taken back
to the Sonora home from which he
rose into national prominence six
teen years ago.
General Obregon's assassination
Tuesday by a supposed religious
fanatic, as he sat at luncheon in a
suburban restaurant, has almost
stunned the country, already griev-
ing over the tragic death only few
ago of it's leading aviator, Capt.
Emilio Carranza-relative of the
man whom Obregon ousted from the
presidency, and who was shot while
fleeing to the seacoast.
So far there has been no political
repercussion to Obregon'S death. His
bitter opponents in politics have
hastened to protest their horror at
his murder.
u. S. Envoy Views Body
President Gales, whom he was to
succeed Dec. l, for his second term
as President, invited the public to
accompany Obregon's body from the
National Palace, where it lay in
state this morning, to the railway
station to be placed on special
train for transfer to Sonora.
Ambassador Dwight Morrow, ac-
companied by the staff from the
United States embassy went to the
ambassador suite in the National
Palace at 10:30 a. m. to view the
body They left the palace a short
time later.
Thousands waited silently in front
of the palace throughout the morn
ing for their turn to walk into the
building to view the body. s7-e4seAr
Obregon will be buried at his
home at Cajeme, where his widow
is said to be Frustrated. His funeral
will not miss by far that which is
to bring young Carranza's body to
the capital from New York.
Police questioned Obregon's as
sassin, whose name they believe to
be, Jose Juan Gonzales, to establish
the motive for his act. From his
talk so far, and from the fact that
an alias he gave when arrested after
he had emptied his pistol into Obre-
gon's body, it is believed that the as
sassination was the result OF the
religious dissension that has existed
for more than two years.
Gales May Serve Two Years
It was expected that the assassin
would be court-martialed and exc
cuted Immediately after police con-
cluded their cross-examination.
Amid the national mourning, the
permanent congressional committee
that conducts legislative business
when Congress is not in session met
today to discuss the problem of the
succession to the presidency.
Obregon was to have served six
wears, the length of the term hav-
ing been extended from four years
few months ago. President Gales,
under the law, cannot succeed him.
self as president, though he could
be elected after some one else had
served an intervening term.
It was rgarded as possible that
Gales might be asked to serve pro-
neutrality-suspicious. for a full two
more years-until congress could
call an election.
Mass Mexican Troops
Gales moved swiftly today to
prevent the assassination from be-
coming the spark that would destroy
his government.
Troops we're massed in barracks
public gathering places we're closed
during the night three high police
officials we're replaced by more loyal
men and censorship was clamped
down on the press.
For past few days Obregon had beer
conferring over policies of his ad-
nainistration-and he announced his
stand on many important questions
particularly the delicate church
= issue only two days ago.
He had called Col. Ricardo Topete
Senator Valdez Ramirez, former
Foreign Minister Aaron Saenz anc
his campaign director Col. Juar
James to the restaurant for a lunch
eoneon discussion Of national affairs
There was lively crowd in thu
little restaurant. The assassin
Juan, approached with caricature
Il was of Colonel Topete. Th'
assassin requested permission t'
show it to Obregon. The formel
president glanced at the caricature
Attempt to Kill Slayer
The assassin pushed small re-
volver into Obregon's back and fired
Five wounds we're found in the gen.
erals back and one. across hi
cheek.
Topete rushed to the assassin
seized him and was aided by friends
After he had been saved from thu
fury of Obregon's friends, whose
first impulse was to slay him al
once. the assassin made this state.
ment:
"I have done what I came to do
killed Obregon because wanted
Christ to be king and to reign com.
pletely, not partially"