MEXICAN TRAGEDY

Hokitika Guardian, 19 July 1928, Page 2

MEXICAN TRAGEDY

Australian Press Assn.—United Service

MEXICO CITY, July 17

There is an unconfirmed report that infuriated Obregon sui>porters have shot and killed Louis Morones, tho Mexican Minister of Industry and Commerce and Labour, wlio was considered to bo the Presidential opponent of Obregon. Mexico City is in an uproar. Tho police have announced that tho prisoner Escapulario has confessed to the assassination. Tho police would reveal nothing further. CENSORSHIP SET UP. MEXICO CITY, July 17. A censorship has been established in Alexico to-niglit. A COOL ASSASSIN. AVASHINGTON, July 17. Obregon was dining in a small restaurant in the town of San Angel, near the capital, when assassinated. An unidentified army captain approached him and stated that he wished to draw a sketch of Obregon. The latter then posed for him, and the artist fired five shots at close range. Obregon is reported to liavo died instantly. Soldiers then surrounded the town and they allowed no traffic to enter it or to leave it. Therefore tho details are at present unknown. The Mexican Government, however, officially informed tho AVashington Government of the murder.

IMMEDIATE EXECUTION EXPECTED. AVASHINGTON, July 17. The assassin of Obregon was arrested by the police, He will probably be executed immediately. ll© has .been identified as Juan Escapulario, who is a caricaturist. * . A companion of Obregon attempted to kill the murderer, but he was prevented by a bystander, who hustled the man to gaol. Calles, the retiring President, hurried to the cafe, viewed the body, and then he interrogated the assassin. The populace was stunned by the attack.

POSITION OF PRESIDENT. AVASHINGTON, July 17. , Following on the recent death of General Carranza (who was a rival candidate for President and was shot), there ha'* - been speculation aroused concerning Calles’ ability to control the situation, but it is generally believed that ho will be able to maintain order. Although the enraged Obregon supporters threaten an outbreak, it is expected the Congress will vote to allow Calles to continue office as President, in place of Obregon. Heavy guards are posted everywhere to control a feverish hunt being made by Obregon’s friends for enemies of the murdered man.

” None but tho highest officials have yet been able to obtain any information, or to enter any quarter where any details might be available.

OBREGON’S HISTORY. MEXICO CITY, July 17. General Obregon had come from his farm in Sonora to hold a demonstratiou. A train bearing five hundred of his adherents to the capital was attacked yesterdy, hut there were no casualties.

Last Spring two rivals of Obregon for the Presidency were executed. This was after they had been found guilty of attempting revolution. The opponents of Obregon alleged that he and Calles had entered into' an arrangement whereby they would serve as President of Mexico turn about, and that the execution of tlieir opponents was part of tlieir ruthless policy to carry out this scheme.

It was Ohregon’s victory over Francisco, Villa in 1917 that helped to make Carranza- President of the Republic, hut three years later Übregon was the leader in the movement which overthrew General Carranza’s Government. Obregon in 1911 quelled a revolution of Pasqua-1 Orosto in Chihuahua., and later, when President Madero was slain and Huerta assumed the Presidency, Obregon (who had retired, minus an arm, to his farm) again became military leader. In 1914 he defeated General Villa -at Colaya, after thirty-three days’ fighting. Obregon then became Minister of War, and in 1916 lie went to the border and negotiated with American Officers for the withdrawal of the United States, troops sent into Mexico after the Mexican raid into New Mexico on July Ist.

This year Obregon was elected President of Mexico for the sixth term, commencing on December Ist. next and he had indicated his intention of continuing the policies of the present President Cnlles. Obregon was the only candidate for the Presidency. Ho was horn in 1880, and he was twice married.