“Regeneration”. Federal Fist Crushes Nest of Reds. Four Leaders Now in Jail

Nº 252

AHSRE L-E-934 FF. 107 y 108

The Angeles Times, Los Ángeles, California

15 de junio de 1911

“Regeneration”. Federal Fist Crushes Nest of Reds. Four Leaders Now in Jail

Magon Brothers, Rivera and Figueroa, Long Identified With Virulent Socialism, Arrested Under Grand Jury Indictments, Junta Is Confiscated and Its Backers Are Thrust, Handcuffed and Struggling, Into Prison.

Under Federal indictment for conspiracy in the violation of the neutrality laws, Ricardo Flores Magon, Enrique Flores Magon, Librado Rivera and Anselmo L. Figueroa were arrested yesterday and thrust into the County Jail. All four are reds of the most virulent type. For years they have been prominently identified with efforts to stir up trouble for the Mexican government, and, after insurgent hostilities were declared, with the operation of the local junta for supplying contraband men and money to the revolutionists.

The arrests were made at the headquarters of the junta at the Nelson Street No. 519 East Fourth Street, by United States Marshal Youngworth. Deputy Marshal Durlin and Ralph Dominguez, bailiff of the United States District Court, who accompanied the officers as an interpreter and for the purpose of identifying the accused men.

Enrique Flores Magon became violent and obstreperous, and it was neccesary to use handcuffs and revolver in making the arrest. Enrique continued to assert that it was a case of mistaken identity until he reached the Marshal's office. When the picture of the gang, printed exclusively in The Times in March last, was shown him, he admitted his identity. In the mix up Marshal Youngworth captured a letter that the Magon brothers struggled fiercely to conceal, and it will be used as evidence against them. It is written in Spanish and is understood to contain very incriminating statements.

The indictment of the quartette follows a long hunt that has been pushed relentlessly by United States District Attorney McCormick and his assistants. Frank Stewart and Edward Regan. The chase that finally ended in their round up, began about six weeks ago, when three Mexicans were arrested on the charge of drunkenness and lodged in the City Jail. They were heavily armed and suspicion was aroused that they were connected with the revolutionary movement.

They were closely questioned, and the fact elicited that they had come here to join the army being recruited by the socialists by the Magon brothers. Their recital dove tailed with other information in possesion of the officials, and the hunt was resumed. These Mexicans, with about twenty other witnesses, furnished the information upon which the indictments were returned.

Another scheme

It is known that the gangs have been carrying on a pretentious campaign in behalf of the proposed new colony to be established in Lower California, it being the plan to establish a federation of States in Chihuahua, Sonora, Sinaloa and Baja California.

The headquarters here have financed the revolution aimed at the overthrow of the Mexican government, and the formation of a new government in Northwestern Mexico, dictating its management so as to harass the Mexican troops without actual engagement.

With the seizure of the customhouses at Mexicali and Tia Juana, they were able to secure unlimited funds. It is asserted that they openly purchased arms at establishments in this city, where used United States arms are disposed of at a low price.

Marauding bands asserted to have been in the pay of the organization levied tribute from ranchmen all over their field of operations, using the methods of the “Black Hand,” for the purpose of securing funds. Threatening letters were sent all over the lower section of California, demanding that the recipients contribute to the “cause,” and it is known that large amounts were realized from these methods.

The accused men form part of what is known as “La Junta del Partido Liberal Mexicano,” a socialistic and anarchist organization, publishers of the reolutionary paper, “Regeneracion.” The purpose of the alleged revolution was to create a socialistic government in Lower California with Mexicali as its capital. From the dingy little rooms of the Nelson Flats they sent parties of Mexicans and renegade Americans to join the insurrectionists.

Ricardo Flores Magon and Librado Rivera have a prison record. At Tombstone, Ariz., in 1907, they were convicted of violating the neutrality laws and sentenced to two years' imprisonment at Yuma. Previous to that time the headquarters of the junta were in St. Louis. It was afterward removed to Los Angeles, where it has been located ever since.

Refuse to talk

After their arrest, the prisoners were placed in the private office of United States Marshal Youngworth, where they munched bananas and chattered about their troubles. Anselmo Figueroa was the only one of the quartette who was willing to talk, and what he said was conspicuous for its lack of information. In answer to a querry, Figueroa said:

“We have been arrested for a violation of the neutrality laws, but we will not be successfully prosecuted. We have known for a long time that the United States authorities were after us, and we have been very careful. We have violated the neutrality laws in no way and do nor fear the result”.

Ricardo Flores Magon, editor of “Regeneracion,” reiterated in broken Spanish the views of his colleague. His brother, Enrique, and Rivera, were too busy with bananas to enter into the conversation.

Later on George F. Snyder, unionite attorney, appeared as legal representative and held a long conference with the prisoners. At its close they were hustled off to the County Jail.

It is expected that the accused will be brought before Judge Wellborn this morning and it is claimed bail will be furnished. The fact that they have already been indicted makes it unnecessary that they should be arraigned before one of the United States Commissioners. The bond of Ricardo Flores Magon and Librado Rivera has been fixed at $5000, and that of Enrique Flores Magon and Anselmo L. Figueroa at $2500, at the suggestion of United States Dist. Atty McCormick.

The headquarters of the Junta are now in charge of Albert L. Sittel, deputy United States Marshal, and during the afternoon a wagon load of stuff, including hundreds of copies of the anarchist paper, “Regeneración”, books, subscription lists, papers and documents were seized and taken to the Federal building. They will be examined and used as evidence if their character warrants. Three $100 money orders, payable to the order of Ricardo Flores Magon, were seized and will be turned over to Attorney Snyder on the order of Magon.