After the Murder

The Body. The body of the recently murdered Mrs. Rosalie Evans (TIME, Aug. 11) was transferred to Mexico City. An American War Veteran draped the coffin with the

Stars and Stripes, telephoned the Embassy that he had done so, said: "She was a good soldier and entitled to this." Britishers paid similar hon ors with the Union Jack -- Mrs. Evans was an American citizen by birth and a British subject by marriage. The Murderers. The Mexican Government ordered General Roberto Cruz to make every effort to apprehend the murderers. He gave the matter his personal attention. President Obregon sent his private secretary to Puebla to investigate the circumstances of the crime. Within 24 hours of receipt of instructions by General Cruz a number of arrests were made. Within another 48 hours Francisco Ruiz and Alejo Garcia confessed participation in the murder, but claimed that one Perez had committed the crime. Next day the round-up was completed by the capture of Francisco Perez. Several more persons, denounced by the prisoners, were held in custody. One week after the murder, the trial began. The motive of the crime was said to have been established as simple highway-robbery. President Obregon. The President of Mexico made along speech in an interview at Mexico City, in which he stoutly defended the Agrarians from charges of engineering the murder. Said he:

"The wild charges that the murder of Mrs. Evans was the work of Agrarians have proved false. Three ignorant criminals are guilty in the case which moved the Mexican Republic. . . . The coincidence that the name of this unfortunate lady has been closely connected with the Cummins affair gave a singular aspect to the case. Moreover, the assassination of a woman advanced in age is a disgrace sincerely lamentable and has been felt by all public officials and the greater part of the Mexican family.

"Enemies are trying to use this case in order to damage the prestige of the Government. They have tried to incline the national conscience against the Agrarian Party, because this political and social party is the one most identified with the present Government. . . . Fortunately, the truth, with an eloquence superior to intrigue and perversity, has demonstrated to all the world that Mrs. Evans was killed by three miserable criminals without any other reason than to rob her of the money which she carried and that justice will soon pronounce sentence."

The United States Embassy at Mexico City has brought the murder of Mrs. Evans to the notice of the Mexican Government and requested an immediate investigation with a view to the apprehension and punishment of the murderers, and the Mexican Government has replied that energetic measures were being taken to expedite the investigation and action for the apprehension of Mrs. Evans's assailants. The United States Embassy have suggested to the Mexican Government that it would be well to place a guard at Mrs. Evans's ranch to protect her house and its contents.

Ramsay MacDonald. In London, news of the Evans murder caused indignation. Questions were asked in Parliament. Premier MacDonald made the following statement:

"The British Consul at Mexico City informs me that Captain Hollecombe, an official of the British legation, who has been sent to the ranch to investigate, reports that the motive of the crime was not robbery, that the Mexican Government is acting energetically and have made a number of arrests and that he is obtaining all facilities.

"I have informed his Majesty's Ambassador at Washington that the Mexican Government should be made to realize their responsibility for this tragic development. A claim will certainly be made for suitable compensation in due course."