The San Antonio Light (San Antonio, Tex.), Vol. 43, No. 324, Ed. 1 Sunday, December 9, 1923 Page: 1 of 76
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'VOL. xyil—NO. 324.
MEXICAN TROOPS VANQUISH REBELS
FLOOD WORK
HALTED GT
COURT WRIT
Opponents of Recent Bond
Issue Sue for Restrain-
• ing Order.
FRAUD IS CHARGED
Also Allege Two Thirds
Majority Vote Neces-
sary to Validate.
HEARING WEDNESDAY
Mayor Says Suit Is Only
Attempt to Harass
Administration.
Carrying out of San Antonie's flood
prevention and city-wide improvement
program provided for by the voting
of $4350000 id bonds last Tuesday
will be delayed indefinitely. This was
determined late Saturday when suit
was fiied in the <3rd District Court
contesting the election arid enjoining
the sale of any of the bonds pending
th» outcome of tue contest.
The restraining order was issued by
Judge Robert W. B. Terrell at his
home Shortly after 7 o'clock and is
made returnable at 10 o'clock Wednes-
day morning at which time a hearing
will be held. At the same time Judge
Terrell upon the strength of the con-
test petition issued a mandamus di-
recting the city officials and City
Clerk Fred Fries to produce the bul-
let boxes used in the Tuesday elec-
tion in his court at 10 o’clock Mon-
day morning. The city officials am
restrained from tampering «-itb the
boxes or ballots contained therein in
the meantime.
Charge Illegal Votes Cast.
The contest petition attacks the va-
lidity of the Tuesday election on.a
number of'grounds. It alleges that
more than 3500 illegal ballots were
cast. Briefly the contention is that
those who opposed the bond election
were denied proper representation in
that they had the right of a judge a
olerk and two supervisors at each
poll; that defendants refused to fur-
Itish the election judges with copies of
the last assessment rolls showing the
names of those actually entitled to
vote; that the election laws were vio-
lated by allowing persons to loiter
about the polls; that voters were
brought to the polis in carriages and
automobiles and mat the judges tai'ed
to appoint propel constables tn pre-
serve the election rules.
In seeking tie mandamus couipen-
ing the delivering of the ballot boxes
to the court the petitioners allege that
unless this is done they believe
they will be opened and tampered
with before the trial of the contest.
The contest suit was brought by
11. F. Wendover as plaintiff and
against Mayor John W. Tobinthe
four commissioners and City Clerk
Fred Fries both as individuals and
city officials. Wendover sets out that
he is a taxpaying voter.
The injunction petition is signed
by more than 200 persons and a no-
tation on the bottom is to the effect
that some 400 more names will be
added. Among the names appearing
on the plaintiff list are those of H.
Mueller. John Slanc S. L. Jeffers and
Peter Grandjuan who were active in
opposition to the bond issue before
the election. In this suit Mayor lo-
bin the four city commissioners City
Clerk Fred Fries and A. B. Stephens
chief deputy tax collector individual-
ly and officially are named as de-
fendants.
Says Two-thirds Vote Necessary.
This petition first sets out that Sec-
tion 53 Article II of the city char-
ter providing that a majority vote
only is necessary to carry a bond elec-
tion is in violation of Section 02
Article 111 of the constitution of Tex-
as amended in IW4 which requires
a two-thirds majority of the property
taxpayers to carry a bond election.
it further attacks the nine proposi-
tions voted on taking up each indi-
vidually on the ground that the ordi-
nance providing for the election and
the ballots themselves failed to spe-
cifically set out the purpose for which
the money was to be used-as required
by law. Proposition 1 or the flood
prevention measure it sets out. should
nave specified in substance ut least
the nature of the improvements on the
San Antonio river and the various
creeks the amount of money desired
for each the number of dams dykes
etc. to be built. It further alleges
that the city has so far failed to have
plans drawn by competent engineers
or to get preliminary estimates.
The petition alleges that the elec-
tion has been held the votes can-
vassed and that the city is about to
have lithographed and printed the
bonds voted thereat. If this is car-
ried out plaintiffs allege they will
tuffer “irreparable injury" because
ne taxpayers they will be compelled
to pay taxes on these projects for the
»ext 40 years. This petition is sworn
k bv John Slane and the bond fixed
Fv .fudge Terrell at SlOOO. The court
■ranted tbe relief prayed for. the life
Kf the restraining order to be detcr-
(Continued on I’age 4.)
’THE SAN ANTONIO LIGHT
Austin Negro Admits
He’s a Bootlegger to
Disprove ‘Vag’ Charges
Austin Tex. Dec. B.—“No sub
boss I ain't no vagrant; I'se a
bootlegger that's what I is” was
the starting announcement of one
of « group of negroes taken in cus-
tody this afternoon in a roundup
of the idle though not rich class.
When the county attorney read
his name on the list the negro
pleaded not guilty to the charge of
vagrancy and proceeded to plead
x his case in a novel manner. •
The negro insisted that he could
not be held on a vagrancy charge
because he was actually working.
Pressed by the county attorney
as to what he was doing for a liv-
ing. the negro insisted that he was
a bootlegger adding: “That’s my
trade and that's bow I makes
money for my living.”
Bootlegging is a violation of the
law as well as vagrancy "but the
latter law says that “any person is
guilty of vagrancy who has no
visible means of support for as
many as three days at any one
time.”
Now tbe question arises: Is
bootlegging a visible or invisible
means of support?
GRIFFIS’ PATRIOTIC
MOTIVE MAY WIN
HIM SHORT TERM
Kidnaping Attempt Child-
ishly Defective Evi-
dence Shows.
By HERBERT BAILEY.
Special Cable to The San Antonio. Light
and tThe Chicago Daily News.
Copyright. 1923.
Mosbach. Baden Dec. B.—The Ger-
man_foreign office the Writer learned
today has sent representatives to
Mosbach to persuade Judge Curz-
mann. to grant leniency to Lieuten-
ant Griff' . the American army of-
ficer convicted of an attempt to kid-
nap Grover Cleveland Bergdoll.
notorious draft dodger and sentenced
to eighteen months imprisonment.
It is believed here that Lieuten-
ant Griffis soon will be released with
an increased fine.
The evidence brought out at his
trial showed that Lieutenant Griffis'
attempt at kidnaping was chihli.sbly
defective. His plans and parapher-
nalia were inadequate and be allow-
ed the paraphernalia to fall into the
hands of the German authorities
absolutely proving his guilt.
The Germans however arp im-
pressed • by his patriotic motives.
Bergdoll remains at Eberbach still
unwilling to accept German citizen-
ship because of the legal consequences
invo ved in the United States.
Evidence at the Griffis trial dis-
closed the fact that a woman acting
on b-half of certain Americans sev-
eral times had persuaded Bergdoll to
cross into occupied territory but that
the plot to kidnap him ther/ failed.
GET SHOP-LIFTER
Bolt of Sill; Worth Sl4O Taken From
Woman.
Caught shop-lifting a 22-year-old
Mexican girl was placed hi the city
jail by Detectives Hartman and
Proudfoot at 5 o'clock Saturday' aft-
ernoon.
Ono piece of Canton silk. 35 yards
in length and valued at $l4O was
recovered.
The arrest was made at Joskc
Brothers' store. Tbe woman when
searched was found equipped with the
bag carried by tbe professional shop-
lifter. The sack carried beneath her
skirt opened at a slit in the side of
the dress nnd enabled her to drop the
bolt of slik into the concealed sack
quickly.
THE WEATHER
TEMPERATURES.
DEC. 7 — 4 a. m 66
2 p. m ...64 5 a. i11........66
3 p. ni..••••••68 6 a. m.•••••>.6C
4 p. m 7 0 7 a. m 66
5 p. ni 71 8 a. ni 66
6 p. in 68 9 a. 67
7 p. 66 10 A. in 69
8 p. 6 4 11 a. m 69
•j p. qi ~64 12 noon ...70
10 p. m 63 1 p. ni 70
II p. ni 6 4 2 p. m 72
13 midnight.'.. .65 3 p. in 76
DEC. 8— 4 n. *..76
1 a. m 67 5 p. 75
2 a. til 66 6 p. m 74
3 a. 66 7 p. m 71
FORECAST.
East Texas: Sunday rain colder in
north and *cst portions: Monday gen-
erally fair in north and west probably
rain in southeast portion colder in east
and south portions. Moderate to fresh
Southerly winds on the coast becoming
northerly Sunday night.
West Texas: Sunday probably f air.
colder; Monday fair.
HOME WEATHER FOR TOtWSTS.
Chicago: Temperature 50; clears less
thaß 10-mile wind from the southwest;
lowest temperature in the last 24 houra
46; highest 50.
Kansas City: Temperature. 61; clear;
10-mile wind from the northeast: lowest
temperature in the last 24 hours 42;
highest 54.
New York: Temperature 54; clear; 18-
mlle wind from the southwest; lowest
temperature in the last 24 hours 40;
highest 54.
St. Louis: Temperature 64; cloudy! 12-
mile wind from the north; lowest tem-
perature in tho last 24 hotfrs 54; high-
est. 64.
Washington: Temperature 66; clear;
less than 10-mile wind from the south;
lowest temperature in the last 24 houra
40; highest 66. .
SAN ANTONIO TEXAS SUNDAY DECEMBER 9 1923. SEVENTY-SIX PAGES.
CLEVELAND
. GETS G.O.P.
CONVENTION
Upham Withdraws Chica-
go’s Claims to 1924
Meeting.
WHITE HOUSE ACTS
Administration Favors Ohio
City Republicans
Learn.
Washington D. C. Dec. B.—Cleve-
land Ohio tonight was virtually as-
sured of the 1924 Republican nati^hnl
convention when Fred W. Upham
treasurer of tbe Uepublicau national
committee nnd chairman of the Chi-
cago' campaign : imiulttee. withdrew
the name of the Windy City in its
favor.
Following a conference with Presi-
dent Coolidge at the White House late
this afternoon Upham issued the fol-
lowing statement surrendering Chi-
cago's claims to Cleveland:
“Greatly to my surprise I have
been today advised by the Republican
leaders of the administration that it
is their belief that the convention
should go to Cleveland.
“ While I am deeply disappointed
especially in view of tbe fact that
1 have procured the assurances of a
sufficient number of the members of
the Republican national committee to
insure the election of Chicago as the
convention city as n staunch patty
man and friend of the administration I
shall yield to this request withdraw
the invitation of Chicago and ask that
the selection of Cleveland be made
unanimous."
Upham announced that he believes
the surrender of Chicago means that
the llcmwrntic convention inevitably
will be held there m.d that he will
turn over the convention fund be hns
raised s for the Republican meeting to
the Democrats.
“In my judgment" he said unof-
ficially. “it clinches Chicago for the
Democratic convention and the fund
I have already raised .for the Republi-
can convention nt Chicago I will ten-
der to the Democrats for their con-
vention.” /
Upham's action automatically elim-
inates San*Francisco and Des Moines
which were making bids for the con-
vention.
U. S. MAY NEGOTIATE
PACT WITH MEXICO
ON WATER RIGHTS
Secretary Haghes Discasses
Rio Grande Problem
With Texans.
Washington. D. Dec. B.—Sec-
retary of State Hughes will soon of-
fer to negotiate a treaty with Mexi-
co relative to water rights along the
Rio Grande he told Senator Morris
Sheppard and Congressman John Gar-
ner today.
Tbe Texas representatives told him
that with peace between the two
countries n proper nnd equitable and
distribution of water from the bor-
der river should be made.
Tbe secretary thereupon advised
them that he appreciates the import-
nnce of such n treaty and that two
treaties are being negotiated with the
southern republic nnd that the water
rights will be taken up next.
FOUR MINERS TRAPPED
Rescue Squads Dig Through the Night
to Reach Workers.
Scranton. Ta.. Dec. B.—Under the
light of flares and searchlights o. am-
bulances >nd fire apparatus rescue
■quads dug desperately through tbe
night attempting to save four miners
entombed in a shaft of the M. E.
JcsAip Coal Company's mines in tbe
hills near Jcasup. Pa.
Bu'.ning mini was seeping into the
collapsed shaft where the trapi>ed men
were caught when tons of earth set-
tled suddenly this afternoon. Mine
officials fear that it may be days be-
fore tbe men dead or alive can be
reached.
Sixteen men fled for their lives when
the enrth. borne down by a great cuiru
pile sank into the -shaft.
SET MURDER CASE
Hall Goes on Trial Monday in Bibb
City Killing Case.
George W. Hale charged by indict-
ment with the killing of Glenn Whayne
on the night of November 27. last year
is scheduled to go to trial in the Thirty
seventh District Court Monday morn-
ing. Hole's trial was set recently but
continued because of tbe absence of
witnesses.
The shooting of Whayne occurred at
a soft drink stand at Bibb City and
was said to have been the culmination
of bitter feeling between tbe two men.
Hale surrendered to officers after the
shooting.
RICH REALTOR CUTS
WIFE’S HEAD OFF
WITH BUTCHER KNIFE
Woman Choked Into In-
sensibility Then
Decapitated.
Milwaukee Wis.. Dec. B.—Choked
into iuscnsibilty then decapitated
with a butcher knife Mrs. Ora Belle
Tompkins 42 was sacrificed as a
martyr et mother love when her hus-
band. E. Ruy Tompkins wealthy
real estate dealer here smothered het
lite breath in a manner /more •horri-
ble than could be conceived in tne
mind of I'oe.
For ycais Mrs. Tompkins had
known that her husband was suspect-
ed of being n paranoiac and lived in
daily four of meeting the horrible
death which was meted out to her.
Iler rude and headless body today
was found tn a shallow watery grave
newly dug. in a ravine thirteen miles
from Milwaukee overlooking Lake
Michigan.
Tompkins today confessed having
huSed the torso Thursday .llternton
after having Bartend bis wifr that
morning.
The discovery was made after an
all-night search in which the sheriff
and n squad of deputies had taken
part following report of Mrs. Tomp-
kins’ disappearance. The search was
shifted to the field on the shores of
Lake Michigan. after Jacob Oonges
owner of the farm on which the tor-
so was found telephoned the sheriff
information regarding Tompkins' ap-
pearance at tbe farm Wednesday and
that Henry Schmitz care-taker on the
farm had seen an automobile enter
tic field Thursday afternoon.
Torn between a desire of safety and
the love for her children her mother
love conquered and rather than deprive
her children of the home to which they
had ■ been accustomed she remained
with her husband. Finally driven to
desperation she had determined to
leave her husband on Friday. On
Thursday she was fiendishly murdered.
BANK EMPLOYE
LEADS COPS TO
BURIED MONEY
Story A boat Kidnaping and
Robbery a Hoax He
Confesses.
Los Angeles Cal.. Dec. B.—William
Bledsoe nnd James Ramsey two
young men who recently came here
ficm Choteau. Okla. arc in the coun-
ty jail tonight facing a charge of
h?viug stolen $15000 belonging to
the First National Bank of Hunting-
ton 1 ark.
Bhdsoe a teller dnd messenger for
the bank led officers this afternoon
to n spot behind tiie Ponds river
outside the city where according to
iiis reported confession he nnd Ram-
say buried the money Thursday after
Bledsoe had obtained it at a local
bank.
A posse of officers which accom-
panied the two men to the* spot
■blind the money intact and returned
witn it and the prisoners late to-
day.
Bledsoe was taken into custody yes-
terday morning. . ’
He told n strange story of having
been kidnaped blindfolded robbed of
Rie funds and thrown from a speeding
car. y
Authorities doubted his story qi/*l-
- him at length and securing bis
confession which resulted in the
money being found.
I'otl men displayed a willingness to
pleau guilty.
“1 only hope you don't tell my
mother back in Oklahoma.” Bledsoe
said. “She would be terribly hurt.
Sho thinks I nm a good boy.”
“CALF CASE” SETTLED
Court Battle Over 812 Calf Costs
Defendant Over $OOO.
Paris. Tex. Dec. B.—The suit of
R. H. Rutledge against T. J. Pres-
ton known as the “calf case” which
has been on trial in county court
since Tuesday resulted in a victory
for tho plaintiff after one of the
most bitterly contested civil suits in
Lamar county. It is the second legal
victory won by the plaintiff his first
being in justice court- The other
three trials resulted in hung juries.
The calf valued at $l2. was shot
and killed in some way after it had
changed hands several times. Unless
a new trial is granted the defendant
will have court costs to the amount
of SHOO to pay in addition to attor-
neys’ fees.
BANK IS PURCHASED
Kansas City Deal Involve* Absorp-
tion of $5000000 In Deposits.
Kansas City Mo. Dec. B.—The
Commerce Trust company one of the
largest financial institutions in tbe
Middle West took over the Con-
tinental National Bank and Trust
<-ompany here today by outright pur-
chase.
The consolidation involves the
absorption of more than $5000000
deposits paid up capital and surplus
of $700000 plus considerable ac-
crue.! earnings and an eleven story
building appraised at .<700000.
J. G. Hughes president of the
Continental bank will become a vice-
president of the Commerce Trust
company. Theodore Gary president
of the Commerce Trust company was
a shareholder iu the Continental
bank.
EXILES ARE
GATHERING
ON BORDER
Scattered Bands of De la
Huerta Sympathizers
Sighted.
WOULD JOIN REVOLT
Many Horses Smuggled
Across—Patrols Watch
Out for Arms.
NO FIGHTS IN NORTH
Monterey Said to Be Ready
to Side With Obre-
gon’s Foes.
Laredo. Tex. Dec. B.—Scattered
bands of De la Huerta sympathizers
are gathering along the American side
of the border preparatory to crossing
into Mexico and joining the revolt
against President Obregon it is re-
ported here tonight.
SAeral hundred head of horses arc
known to have been smuggled into
Mexico during the last 48 hours.
Border patrols are taking extra pre-
cautions to prevent shipments of arms
from reaching the warring factions.
Interest here in the rebellion cen-
ters around the town of Monterey
in the interior which is reported ready
to revolt against the Obregon govern-
ment
Reports current in Nuevo Laredo
are that border cities would follow
Monterey in such a rebellion.
The people hers are known to favor
going okl hi support of De la Hu^tn.
Military and political officials loyal
to Obregon have succeeded in keeping
down any demonstrations.
Military anil civil authorities con-
ferred in Nuevo l.nrcdo this after-
noon. They refused to divulge any
information of the meeting.
Apparently authentic reiiorts re-
ports received nt Nuevo Laredo tonight
state that artillery units of tbe Mex-
ican army are being concentrated
around Mexico
The local garrison is under the
command of Gen. Jose Hucrtado. Gen.
Joaquin Ama o is division commander
of tbe northeastern military zone
which includes the states of Tamauli-
pas and Nuevo Leon.
WILL ENLARGE SERVICE
Two Trips Weekly From Kelly to
St. Louis After January.
Dallas Tex. Dec. B.—After Janu-
ary 1 two trips a week from Kelly
Field San Antonio will be BUMS
over the Southwestern model airway
to St. Louis and return by way of
Dallas I nut. .1. B. Haddon army
aviator declared Saturday on/arrlv-
ing here at Love Field on a return
trip ’from St. Louis. He will h<qi
off Sunday morning at 8 o'clock for
San Antonio which will mark com-
pletion of the bird official trip made
over the airway.
Lieutenant Haddon said weekly
trips out of Kelly Field to the Pa-
cific Coast will lie inaugurated next
spring the route probably El l’aso
and San Diego and then up to Sau
Francisco where connection would be
made with the airway to St. Ixiuis.
Weather conditions delayed Had-
don this trip. He was two days
behind. Flying time from Dallas to
Sau Antonio is two hours fifty min-
utes Haddon said.
MATAMOROS IS DRY
Garrison Commander's Edict Closes
Saloons of Border City.
Brownsville Tex. Dec. # B.—Mata-
moros is dry this afternoon for the
first time in four years an order
luting been issued at noon by Colo-
nel Kosas commander of the Mata-
moros garrison who assumed control
of the city last night cl*ing all sa-
loons indefinitely. The sale of liquoi
will not be permitted in any part of
.’lie Matamoros municipality.
Saloon proprietors believe the dr-
der will be rescinded Monday.
TEXAN NOT GUILTY
Fifth Trial for Murder Results in
Aequittal.
Mharton Tex. Dec. B.—After be-
ing out all night the jury in the case
of Eustus Kleas. charged with the
murder of J. F. McClure at Edna on
October 21 1918 today brought in a
verdict of not guilty. The case was
transferred to Wharton county after
being tried four times in Bec county
eßeh time resulting in n hung jury.
Appeal Is Filed.
Austin Tex.. Dec. B.—An appeal
was filed Saturday in ibe Court of
Criminal Appeals in the case of lat
Walsh convicted in Hemphill county
of criminal assault and given eight
years in the penitentiary The prose-
cuting witness was a 15-year-old girl
according to the record.
ADOLFO DE LA HUERTA
DENOUNCES OBREGON AS
TRAITOR TO HIS COUNTRY
Leader of Vera Cruz Revolt in Explaining Armed In-
surrection Recites Long List of Alleged
Offenses Committed Against the People.
This is the first statement re-
garding the present revolutionary
movement in Mexico to be issued
by Adolfo De la Huerta. The
statement is contained in a tele-
gram received Saturday night
sia cable from Galveston by The
San Antonio Light.
Vera Cruz. Dec. B.—A few hours
after finding myself under the pro-
tection of I-a Hidalga and of the
traditional hospitality of the city of
Vera Cruz the true soldiers of the
republic those which have been form-
ed in the cruel struggles for the
upholding of our free institutions
under the worthy and patriotic lead-
ership of the general of tbe division.
Guadalupe Sanchez nnd of the naval
loaders who have interpreted the
deep desire of the Mexican people
in never consenting that their
sovereignty should be taken from
them they disavowed tho government
of General Alvaro Obregon as tramp-
ling under foot all our public liber-
ties. »
Never in the annals of our political
history has it been known to be made
manifest with more exactness and
with greater justification the collec-
tive conscience and never has been
presented so odious and so intoler-
able the violation of the sovereignity
of the people.
Precisely the man who three years
ago was the standard-bearer of the
nation to defend its liberties against
a common imposition is the same who
today connnits the crime of treason
turning against the people the power
which they have agreed to.
Says Election Fraud Ignored.
General Obregon has violated the
sovereignty of the states of the re-
public. ignoring already the election
frand in the state of Vera Cruz
owing to tho elections of the last
legislature which only served to con-
solidate the tyrannf of Governor
Tejedh under the illegal nnd despotic
protection of the secretary of state.
General Obregon has denied the sup-
port of the real government to the
cnnstitutionnl gorernor of the state
of Michoacan whom he apprehends
and jails by armed force. He l>ns
injured the sovereignty of San Luis
Potosi by separating actually this
federal body from the federal pact
authorizing members of tho army to
disband by means of arms legitimate
meetings whiclT are the cells of our
democratic organism and fomenting
thus the most dangerous nnd trans-
cendental anarchy like that which re-
sults from raising the federal execu-
tive.
Plots tn Assassinate.
The power of force over right lias
disavowed the congress of Zacatecas
which was born of the most genuine
nnd tbe most unnnimous nnd of the
strongest public opinion nnd. notwith-
standing this this congress was recog-
nized nnd sanctioned by the senate of
the republic only to protect a despotic
governor who seconds without scruple
his plans of imposition. He hns re-
pelled in Nuevo Leon the one governor
elected by public vote by means of
pressure on the authorities of that
state determining in it an undecided
and expectant situation for the reali-
zation of his legal propositions. Final-
ly. ho has expelled the constitutional
governor of Coahuila from his state
in order to substitute for him author-
ities selected from the Callista imposi-
tion nnd obtaining ns a price for this
attention the support to his plans of
the senators of Coahuila.
In order to kill the independence
of the legislative power of the nation
which hns opposed with exceptional
energy his despotic tendencies defend-
ing gallantly the sovereignty of the
people he hns organized with pre-
torians who still sustain the honor ot
the army and with tbe greater part
of his secretaries of state plots to as-
sassinate deputies which the official
highness has decided to condemn.
He has employed threats to subdue
timid representatives.
He has bribed with privileges and
gifts the deputies and senators with-
out honor nnd has resorted to abduc-
tion of others in order to make impos-
sible the free functioning of the leg-
islative power surrounding himself
with mercenary politicians who pre-
pare the formation of servile legisla-
tive bodies in order to consummate
the imposition of a candidacy which
from its origin was repulsed by the
penpie in a frank and ostensible man-
ner. .
Violated State Sovereignty.
The supreme court of justice of tbe
nation which hns the power of re-
solving the conflicts which are stirred
up between the federal government
and the states has been postponed
nullified in fact by the federal
executive who instead of giving to it
all the aid which it needs in order to
expedite the exercise of its functions
has pretended to subjugate it even to
contradicting and ridiculing its su-
preme decisions which protect and
recognize the constitutional govern-
ments of Michoacan and San Luis Po-
General Obregon has not limited
himself to violating the sovereignty
of the states to destroying the inde-
pendent* of tbe legislative power to
abusing the judicial power of the fed-
eration summed up in his person anti-
constitutionally the three powers
which inea’-nate our sovereignty. He
ha’ become more invested with the
faculty of watching for the exact oh
servancc of the public liberties accord-
ing to our laws.
Ho has employed tbe immense power
which the people bare placed in his
hands in order to chain these
liberties converting them in tbe po-
litical struggle of the unpopular can-
didacy of General Plutarco Elias
Calles assuring himself later a re-
election which the nation repels and
our law condemns.* With this end
and without respect to the highest na-
tional representation in the legislature
he has begun personally in the most
active most tenacious and most pas-
sionate form questioning of the civil
officers and the corruption of high
military chiefs in order to induce
them to tbe infraction of their im-
perias civil duties by means of the
systematic disturbance against the
candidate of the people. And this is
not all.
Suffrage Is Denied.
His actions have not been limited to
wounding unto death our federal sys-
tem of government. He has not stop-
ped at concentrating the supreme pow-
er of the federation postponing the
congress and the supreme court. He I
has not hesitated in taking from the
people their highest privilege of elect-
ing by means of suffrage their repre-
sentatives. He has not found a bar
to establishing the most transcendental
and disturbing of immoralities that
which is ruauc from the heights of
power which should be the sustaining
power of public order. He has armed
political agitators without conscience
so that property life opinion nor even
liberty of conscience are respected.
Before such grave evils which it is
recessary to stop and I have been
chosen by the great majority of the
nation candidates to the presidency
of the republic would fail in the fun-
damental duty of the citizen if I did
not answer the national clamor which
has resolved not to support a govern-
ment which acts against our consti-
tutional principles.
In such virtue and accepting pro-
visionally as an honor the ieaoership
of the liberal movement which pa-
triotic soldiers have begun and car-
ried on in representation of the peo-
ple. I give out the present manifesto
muking known to the nation the basic
axioms to which we will remain sub-
ject.
1. I respect absolutely life and lib-
erty and the property of all the in-
h.ibitAhts hntioilnl and foreigners.
2. Immediate fixing by law of
Article 123 of the federal constitution.
Trying to outline justly the preroga-
tives of the workmen and tbe obliga-
tions of the employers.
Large Estates Divided.
30. For the solution of the most
intense national problem land and
justice for all constituting and or-
ganizing the smaU agricultural prop-
erty owner so that all who really
want to cultivate the land may do
so; dividing the large estates with
strict adherence to Article 27 of the
constitution the government inter-
ceding actively efficaciously and
justly between the large land owner
and thb acquirer by common grant
for those towns which still have not
come ont of the communal state
and only until on the development *of
these same communities and on peti-
tion from them say they wish to
enter the system of individual prop-
erty.
The indemnification because of ex-
propriation for the common inherit-
ance may be fixed by means of the
levying of n federal tax with the
object of complying at the same time
with that ordered by Jaw of paying
according to the fiscal vahie. In ac-
cord with tho equity for the payment
in cash of these indemnifications
there will be stipulated a loan of
50000.000 pesos which in principle
has already been agreed to by the
undersigned in his capacity of secre-
tary of agriculture and public credit.
In order to divide land among the
small land owners there will be es-
tablished everywhere in the country
institutions of agricultural _ credit
which may mnke easy the cultivation
of the land and augment production.
The bonds of the agricultural debt
originated by the division of the large
estates among the small land owners
will be launched in the domestic and
foreign markets with the direct inter-
vention of tbe federal government
with an end to procuring the payment
of the indemnification in cash.
Reforms Are Promised.
I respect inviolably the suffrage
which today for the third time ap-
pears to be trampled under foot as the
passing of tbe last ten years.
In order to guarantee forever the
sovereignty of the people. I will make
this constitutional reform in order to
establish the effective abolition of the
death penalty with the only exception
(Continued on next page.)
Report That U. S.
Warships Sent to .
Mexico Is Denied
Mexico City. Dee. B—Two
American warships have left New
Orleans and are proceeding to A era
Crux to protect American interests
at that city where a rebellion
against the Obregou government
has broken out according to ad-
vices received here tonight.
Washington. D. Dec. B.—No
naval vessels of any kind have
hien ordered to Vera Cruz Navy
Department officials said tonight
when asked concerning the report
from Mexico City that two Ameri-
can warships had been ordered
there from New Orleans to protect
American interests at the Mexican
port
PRICE FIVE CENTS
UPRISERS
IN fULL .
RETREAP
Battle Fought at Maltrata
Between Mexico City
anil Vera Cruz.
HUERTISTAS BEATEN
1
Obregon Announces Sur*.
render of General 1*
Romulo Figueroa.
RUMORS FILL THE AIR
Entire Border Patrolled to
Prevent Smuggling
of Arms.
El Paso Tex. Dec. 8. —The first
battle in the new Mexican revolution
has been fought and won by federal
troops semi-official reports received
in Juarez tonight stated.
The battle took place near Maltrata.
a small town on the Mexican Rail-
road between Mexico City and Vera
Cruz.
The revolutionist* are in full re-
treat the report stated.
An official telegram ‘from Presi-
dent Obregon to Gen. Eugenio Mar-
tinez commander of the northern mil- •
itary aone confirmed the report that
Gen. Homulo Figueroa leader of the
revolt in Guererro baa surrendered
to federal troops.
To guard against a possible revolt
in Juarez General Martinez has or-
dered the Fourth Cavalry moved from
Villa Ahumada to tbe Juarea garri-
son. A strong command still holds
Villa Ahumada however.
The entire northern border is be-
ing patrolled to circumvent any at-
empt to smuggle in arms he an-
nounced. »
Denies Villistas In Revolt.
General Martinez denied that Vil-
listas are in open rebellion in Du-
rango and Chihuahua declaring that
their alleged leader Hipolita Villa
brother of the famoua bandit la at
the Villa ranch at Canutillo and ia in-
active.
A story was current her* toda^
that two generals both follower* of
De la Huerta and both in El Paso*
are laying plans for strife in North*
ern Mexico by a sudden revolt whieW*
is to be touched off simultaneously
along thd border. These same gei»?
erals are said to have stated that Vil*
iistas routed a bedy of federal t.-oo;*
near Canutillo a few days ago an 4
that the rebels are waiting only th*
word from De la Huerta to spring
into action.
This report was denied by General
Martinez as was also the rumor that
the Juarez garrison is ripe for rebel-
ion and awaits only the proper sig«
nal. ।
La Republica a Mexican newspapers
in a story printed today claims that
Chihuahua is plotting to overthrow!
Governor Enriquez and then possibly
put him back in power as provis-
ional governor if he will take the sid*
of De la Huerta. The paper say*
that this outcome is “more than pos-
sible.”
x Indians Want Arms.
The Tarahumara Indians living ia
tbe mountains of Chihuauua u*s*
asked the state government for arm*
and ammunition to defend their land
against revolutionists it was an«
r.ounced yesterday in Juarez. A dele-
gation recently visited the governog
in Chihuahua City and asserted that
they had heard of impending revollH
tionary activities for several week*.
The Tarahumara Indians hav*
played important parts in revolution*
in the past but so far as their po-
litical importance is concerned hav*
been considered harmless. Their de-
piand for guns coming as a distinct
surprise was not granted.
Federal authorities in Juarez ar*
keeping tab on all political exiles in
EI Paso as it is feared they may
cross the boundary and place them-
selves at the head of revolutionists.
Juarez Favors Calles.
Juarez is strongly favorable to Gen.
I’. Elias Calles whose candidacy five
the presidency precipitated the revolt.
A Mexican general known to te
pro-De la Huerta who has hern in
El ‘Paso several weeks tonight told
the correspondent:
“The commander of the Juarez gar-
risou and many of his officers are
favorable to Calles but the garrisou
will go over to De la Huerta soon.
“Ine De la Huerta faction would
welcome the help of American finam-e
but they do not need it for the sue-
icssful termination of the revolt.
There is enough wealth in the div-
tricts dissatisfied with the Obregon
regime to furnish tbe money neces-
sarj.”
CENSORSHIP IS ENFORCED.
Obregon Expresses Faith in Ability to
Crush Revolution.
Mexio City Dec B.—Rebel* and
federal troop* clashed today at Jalapa
capital of Vera Crux as the in-
surgents . uniler General Saiwh-x.
(Continued on next paga.)
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The San Antonio Light (San Antonio, Tex.), Vol. 43, No. 324, Ed. 1 Sunday, December 9, 1923, newspaper, December 9, 1923; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1628974/m1/1/: accessed July 6, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; .