Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-05-07
BUTLER,ASU. S. SPY,
TR|CKED HUERTA
General Tells Of Representing
Wilson in Gaining Access
to GarriSons.

BY the Associated Press.
PHILADELPHIA, May Maj. Gen.
Smedley D. Butler served in 1914 in
Mexico as a spy, obtaining information
for President Wilson at a time when
relations with the Mexican government
headed by Victoriano Huerta we're
strained
The general posed as a bibliophile,
an eccentric entomologist, capitalist,
a secret service operative, an author and
an accountant.
While intoxicated, Huerta signed an
order giving the Marine officer power to
enter every army barracks in Mexico
City. The mission won Butler his first
Congressional Medal OF Honor. Gen.
Butler told the story last night in ad.
dressing the annual dinner of the Unity
Stores Association.
Sits on Presidents Bed.
Posing as a detective looking for a
murderer from Ohio who was believed
to have joined the Mexican army. But
Ter said he gained the confidence of one
OF Huertas aides. This aide finally OBJ
tanned for him an audience with Presi-
dent Huerta.
"Huerta was lying in his bed at
Chapultepec Palace. drunk" Butler
declared. L actually sat on the edge
of his bed, and I prepared an order,
which he signed, giving me free access
to every one of the % or "a garrisons
in the city and to examine every man
at close range, examine the equipment
and count the guns.
This yarn hasn't hitherto been pub
lished, so I don't know whether the
Mexican Ambassador to the United
States will take a shot at it or not. I
suppose before telling it. really ought
to jump down to Mexico City and see
If the palace really is there"
Recalls Haitian Incident.
The general referred to the recent
Haitian incident" in which the Hal
tan Minister to the United States said
he did not know of the existence of
Fort Riviere, Haitian bandit strong
hold, for whose capture Butler and
two of his men received congressional
medals of honor.
Gen. Butler said his secret mission in
Mexico was ordered by President Wood
row Wilson and that it was necessary
because the exact military strength
which Huerta could put in the field, to-
gether with the defenSes of the city,
was unknown to American Military
commanders. He said war with Mexico
was imminent because of the Vera Cruz
incident" and that the American Meet
lay in Very Cruz Harbor.
Gen. Butler said that Nelson O'Shaugh-
messy, then charge daffaires at the
United States embassy in Mexico City
had assisted him in his mission. He
stated that he had gone on the mission
at the special behest of President VIII
son, who had wanted information about
the enemy that would make possible
the protection of Americans If there was
actual fighting.
Called Protection Days
THAT" said the speaker, was In the
DAYS when this Government would pro-
tect American citizens in foreign coun-
tries"
In the guise Of a Capitalist" he went
to Mexico City. There, O'ShaughneSsy
introduced him as Mr.. johnson" to
Mexican officials and newspaper men.
He said he told Huerta President Wilson
might recognize his government and
this sounded good to him, so the order
was signed. While in the garrisons he
found time to note all the arrange
ments, munitions and artillery.
Later Gen. Butler wanted to enter
Chapultepec Castle outside the city.
"O'ShaughnesSy and l." he said, FINAL
ly bluffed officials into letting us in.
While there I got a good look at the
silver furniture in the rooms formerly
occupied by Archduke Macmillan"
Butler said he also had gotten into
the fort ia the rear of the palace by a
ruse he had used on several occasions.
He pretended he. was chasing a butter
CONTINUED on. Page 2, Column 81.