GENERAL OBREGON SHOT BY YOUNG CARTOONIST AT BANQUET AT SAN ANGEL

Manawatu Times, Volume LIII, Issue 6665, 19 July 1928, Page 7

GENERAL OBREGON SHOT BY YOUNG CARTOONIST AT BANQUET AT SAN ANGEL

Murderer Arrested—Confesses Deed ' i Populace Stunned by Crime Australian Press Association —United Service. ; - iIEXICO CITY, July 17. The President-elect of Mexico, General Alvaro Obregon, has been assassinated. , - The assassination occurred on Tuesday/ - ' afternoon at a banquet in a restaurant near Mexico City.; ' , • The assassin was arrested. General Obregon was shot five times through the body.

: ‘ Gallos Hastens to Scene. President Calles hastened to the scene at the town of San Angel twelve miles south of Mexico City. 1 » ■ • General Obregon was elected on Ist duly, and was greeted on Sunday with one of the greatest political demonstrations in Mexican history on his return from Sonora his homo His assassination , threw the city into the utmost turmoil. Speculation is rife that President Calles may retain office.. - ‘ , ■ I Death Instantaneous! A message from Washington states that General Obregon was dining in a small restaurant in the town of San Angel, near the Capitol, when an unidentified Army captain approached and stated he wished to draw a sketch of General Obrogon. The latter posed and. the artist fired five sliots at close, range. , _ General Obregon ■ is stated to have died instantly. ■ • ' Soldiers surrounded’ the town andallowed no traffic to enter, or leave. Therefore details are at present unknown. '■ ’ The Mexican Government, however, officially informed Washington of the murder.; ; Immediate Execution Likely. A later message states that thq assassin). was k arrested by the police dfnd will probably be executed immediately. _ , ■ He has been identified as Juan Escapmario, a caricaturist. A companion of General Obrcgon attempted to kill the murderer but was prevented by a bystander who hustled the man, to gaol. General Calles hurried to tho cafe, viewed tho ; body and then interrogated tho assassin. The populace tvas stunned by the attack, following the . death of Major Emilio ’J Carranza, the “Goodwill” flier. ■ '' ■ 1 - - : ’ Calles May Retain eflice. It is expected Congress, will vote to allow General Calles to continue office in placei.of General Obrogon. Heavy guards are posted everywhere to control the feverish hunt by General Obregon’s friends for tho enemies of tho murdered man. None but'the highest officials are yet able to obtain information or enter any quarter whore details might bo available. : : The latest message from Mexico City is, to the effect: ] -

There is an unconfirmed, report that infuriated Obregon supporters have shot and killed Senor Luis Morofies, Minister of Industry, Commerce and Labour, who was a considered Presidential opponent of General Obrogon. Mexico City is in an uproar. The police, have announced that Escapulario has confessed to' the assassination. They would reveal nothing further. Censorship was established in Mexico to-night. ■ ’i Way Cleared For Election, ; A still, later message . from Mexico City states that General Obregon had come from Ms farm in Sonora to hold a demonstration. A train, bearing five hundred of his adherents to the capital: was attacked yesterday but there were no casualties. " Last Spring two rivals of General Obregon for the Presidency wore ’.executed after being found guilty. of attempted revolution. Tne opponents of General Obregon alleged that he and General Calles had entered into an arrangement whereby they would serve as President of Mexico turn about and that the execution of their opponents was part of their ruthless policy to carry out this scheme, It was General Obregon’s victory oyer Francisco Villa in 1917 that helped, to make Venustiano Carranza President of the Republic three years after he was leader in' tho movemonit which overthrew the Carranza Government. General Obwsgon in 1911 quelled the revolution of Pasqual Croso in Chihuahua. ' .. ‘ Arm L6st In Fighting. Later when General Huerta assumed the Presidency General Obregon who had retired minus an arm to his farm again became military leader. In. 1914 he defeated she “ Constitutionalist” Idader Villa at Cclaya after 33 days fighting. General 1 Obregon then became Minister of War and in 1916 went to the border and negotiated with American officers for the withdrawal of United States troops sent into New Mexico. On July 1 this year General Obregon was elected. President of Mexico for tho sixth term commencing December 1 and indicated his intention of‘continuing thel policies of 'the present President General Calles. General Obregon tho only candidate for the Presidency. Ho was born in 1880 and was, twice married. :