Call Down The Hawk

by Richard Folmar

  Artimus, looking over his shoulder, laughed. “Not too loudly, dear fellow! These thoughts are better spoken within the security of our embassy. Speaking of which, we need to talk, when we get back there. I want to pick up where we were when the Ambassador interrupted us that fateful night.”

  60

  ARTIMUS PULLED HIS ROCKER CLOSER to Seth’s chair and lowered his voice. “First, I must say that what I am about to tell you could cause my dismissal from this Embassy and most likely from my diplomatic career. Second, if you deem it necessary, for that which I will tell you, I will provide you with my signed statement for the President.”

  “Listen, my friend, I cannot ask that of you.”

  “You are mistaken, you haven’t asked me. I am reluctantly doing this on my own initiative.”

  “Very well, I shall respect your confidence and should you elect to provide a written statement, I will do my best effort to see it will be only for the eyes of the President and Secretary Bryan.”

  “Thank you. Now, what I will tell you cannot be considered conclusive that Ambassador Wilson was directly involved in the decision to kill Madero and Suarez. It is circumstantial at best.”

  “That will be more than I have so far”

  “As a bit of background, Madero, as I knew him, was a gentle, idealistic, reformer. His main weakness was a naïve trust in the wrong people, like Huerta. It is generally known that the Taft Administration and President Madero were poles apart on any favored treatment for American business interests in this country. In fact, he was openly hostile to the resumption of most of those benefits previously enjoyed under President Porfirio Diaz. Taft and Knox were not the least unhappy at his overthrow.”

  “As for our Henry Lane Wilson, he was openly hostile to President Madero for his position against the resumption of the Diaz concessions to American business. He was unrelenting in his threats to Madero, so much so that Madero was heard to remark that he did not like that man and when Woodrow Wilson became president he was going to ask him to replace Henry Lane. The Ambassador once asked Secretary Knox for the intervention of American Marines down here to pressure Madero. I have heard that President Taft was all for it, but Knox wisely scotched the idea, saying that it would lead to war and he didn’t want any war with Mexico.”

  “But Henry Lane did.”

  “Sadly, you are right. But, let us get back to your little problem. On February 17, I accompanied the Ambassador to the Palacio for a meeting with General Huerta. The old boy was in a state of ecstasy over his coup. He kept pacing up and down, and every now and then would smash his right fist into his other palm, grinning at Wilson. Once he said something like, We did it, Amigo—we did it.”

  “He said, we?”

  “Yes, I heard him.”

  “But he could have meant himself and his cronies.”

  “Maybe, but when he said it, he slapped the Ambassador on the shoulder, and my impression at the time was that he meant the two of them. Then some very fine red wine was brought in and we toasted our respective countries. Later, when sitting around in what had been Madero’s inner office, Huerta became quiet for several minutes, as if something was bothering him. Finally, he looked at Henry Lane and asked, ‘My friend, Henry, what am I going to do with Madero and

  Suarez? Should I have them executed or would it be better to send them out of the country, or perhaps, have them locked away in a lunatic asylum? What do you think, my friend?’”

  Artimus leaned back in his chair, eyes closed and the muscles in his jaw tightening. After a few seconds, he continued.

  “Now remember, Huerta had told Madero and Suarez that if they resigned office, they would be given transportation to Vera Cruz and passage to Cuba. On that condition, Madero and Suarez signed their resignation. Knowing that, I looked at Wilson, fully expecting him to urge that sort of civilized action. I nearly spilled my wine when instead, he said, ‘You should do that which is best for the peace of the country.”

  Seth stared at his friend. “I admit that sounds pretty ambiguous, but—”

  “Ambiguous? Don’t you see, Seth? He was telling Huerta that he would have a free hand with the respect to the fate of Madero and Suarez. The implication was there that the Government of the United States did not care a fig what he did with them. Moreover, there was an unspoken sub message that he, the American Ambassador, would raise no objection to their execution.”

  Seth frowned. Is all that to be interpreted from, you should do that which is best for the peace of the country? “I reckon I don’t understand your reasoning.”

  “Don’t you see? If Ambassador Wilson had made a strong pitch for civilized treatment, Victoriano Huerta would never have dared to have them executed. He owed too much to, and depended too much on, Henry Lane’s good graces.”

  “Are you telling me that you think the Ambassador really wanted their deaths?”

  “No question in my mind that he did.”

  “If they are such good friends, why didn’t he just say, shoot them?”

  “Because I was present. Another thing, when Mrs. Madero came to him to plead for her husband’s life a few days before his murder, the Ambassador dismissed her plea with all the compassion of a banker foreclosing the mortgage on the widow. He told her that the overthrow of her husband was due to the fact that he never wanted to consult with him.”

  “That sounds as if Henry Lane thought he exercised considerable influence with Huerta,” Seth said.

  “Apparently, Secretary Knox thought he did. Shortly after Mrs. Madero’s visit, we received an official dispatch from Knox to the Ambassador, pointing out that General Huerta’s consulting of Wilson as to the treatment of Madero would give the Ambassador a certain responsibility in the matter, and, listen to this, Knox added that the Government in Washington hoped earnestly for the dealing with Madero in a manner that was consistent with peace and humanity, and that cruel treatment of him would injure Mexican civilization in the eyes of the world. Wilson was urged by Knox to make use, in his discretion, of these ideas in his conversation with Huerta.”

  “What was the Ambassador’s reaction to that?”

  “Ignored the directive completely,” Artimus said, with a sigh.

  “Then, what was this business of him later going with the German Ambassador to Huerta to plead for Madero’s life?”

  “Ah yes, now we come to that fascinating little charade,” Artimus said. “But, first, would you care for a drink?”

  “Thanks, reckon not, but please have one yourself.”

  “I have talked so much, I’m dry.” He went over to his liquor cabinet and poured two fingers of single malt into a short glass. He returned to his chair and took a sip, then smiled at Seth. “You disappoint me. I thought you Texans were a hard drinking bunch.”

  “Only if the reason or the occasion is fitting.”

  The First Secretary nodded and finished his drink. “You must understand that Admiral von Hintze and Henry Lane were cheek by jowl, as the saying goes, in wanting Madero’s ouster. But, after his overthrow, when the German Ambassador discovered the extent of Henry Lane’s influence over Huerta, he quickly changed sides, deciding Germany’s interest lay in publicly appearing to try and save Madero’s life. I was in Wilson’s office on the 20th of February when the Admiral burst in demanding Wilson go with him to Huerta to plead for Madero’s life.”

  “A very clever move to put our Ambassador in a tight spot.”

  “Precisely. However it might indeed, have saved Madero and Suarez’s lives”

  “What was Henry Lane’s response?”

  “He informed the German Ambassador that President Taft had indicated his satisfaction with his actions regarding Madero, and he didn’t see why he should interfere with the regime—moreover, he didn’t have any right to do so”

  “Not loath to play the hypocrite, was ou
r Ambassador?”

  “But get this, that sly old dog von Hintze played his trump card. He suggested that if Madero were executed, it would not only represent a violation of the agreement Huerta had made with the deposed President, but would be a blemish on Wilson’s responsibilities in the overthrow of Madero.”

  “So he knew, did he?”

  “Most of the diplomatic community did. The German then observed that on the other hand, should Wilson prevent Madero from being executed, it would be a feather in the American Ambassador’s cap, reflecting honor upon his country and his achievements.”

  “And, of course, that must have convinced him that he had better go with von Hintze to make the appeal, thinking that the German Government was prepared to brand him internationally with the responsibility for Madero’s execution. Now I know why von Hintze was so eager to tell me about this incident.”

  “No doubt. Well, Henry Lane figured he had to go with von Hintze, but he ordered me to come along. I figure he wanted a witness that he had gone to appeal on behalf of Madero’s life.”

  Seth’s laugh was edged with bitterness. “It must have been a trifle confusing for Huerta, since Wilson had by implication told him that the United States didn’t care what he did with Madero.”

  “Well, yes. When we arrived, Huerta looked puzzled at the two ambassadors showing up unexpectedly. Before von Hintze could say anything, Henry Lane hastily explained that they had some concern that Francisco Madero might be executed. I was watching Huerta’s expression very closely when he said that, and the old Indian gave only the slightest blink. He instinctively caught on to Henry Lane’s game, and he turned to von Hintze and said that a decision about Madero was not for him to make but would have to be taken up by the new cabinet which would meet at 4:10 that afternoon. Our Ambassador merely acted as if he were perfectly satisfied with that answer. He said no other word during the rest of that brief meeting, even when von Hintze wasn’t buying that disclaimer and Huerta reluctantly gave his word of honor—laughable coming from a man who betrayed his oath of allegiance to his president.”

  “Now, you have the picture insofar as I know it. Admittedly, it is not conclusive in establishing Ambassador Wilson’s direct responsibility for the murders. We cannot get into Huerta’s mind to find out just how much weight our Ambassador’s influence had in the Dictator’s decision to order the killing. From what I observed, I think it was significant.”

  “So it comes down to the fact that we have only circumstantial evidence with respect to his collusion in the murders.”

  “So it would seem, Seth, but I think that the Ambassador’s attitude after the assassinations is interesting. He announced that he was satisfied with Huerta’s explanation of the shootings ( when no one else in the diplomatic community here bought it) and later he announced that he considered the matter a closed book.”

  “Artimus, do you think that the Ambassador was partly responsible for the murders of those two men?”

  “God help me, Seth, I do.”

  They sat in silence for a few moments, while Seth let the significance of the First Secretary’s opinion sink in. Artimus went over to his cabinet and raised the bottle of single malt scotch in invitation to Seth, who declined with a shake of his head. Artimus shrugged and poured himself a small amount and returned to his chair.

  Seth said, “Which brings us back to the President’s little problem of refusing to recognize the legitimacy of Huerta’s Government. If he should appoint a replacement for Henry Lane, would it in fact constitute a recognition of the legitimacy of Huerta?”

  “Oh, we could operate passably well without an ambassador in place. The charge’d’affaires would take over until there is a new head of government here .”

  “Well, that’s something for the future. Right now all I can think of is getting Handsome Otho Comfort out of that hell hole. Why doesn’t that damn Huerta get back to us?”

  61

  ON MONDAY MORNING, ARTIMUS STOPPED Seth on his way from breakfast. “I had breakfast early this morning with one of my friends in the Mexican Department of Interior. He told me that Senator Ernesto Gomez y Hernandez was executed by firing squad in Belem Prison. The charge was treason and plotting to assassinate El Presidente’’

  “When?” Seth asked with a sinking feeling. “Apparently just after you and Mason Oliver left there when you went to get Mr. Comfort.”

  “Do you think our meeting with him at the cantina caused his capture and execution?”

  The First Secretary was emphatic. “Absolutely not! That poor man’s fate was sealed long before you two met with him. Furthermore, you were obviously not followed to the canteen or you would have been taken out of hand. Huerta needed to get rid of him, just as he would like to do with Gomez’s brother-in-law, Major Cardenas. He properly assumed that Cardenas told Gomez everything before fleeing to Guata-mala. Furthermore, Senator Gomez and his father had been strong supporters of Madero.”

  “That may be one of the reasons why they snatched Hand, knowing we talked with Gomez.”

  “How do they know that?”

  “I’ve finally figured that out. I sent my card into Gomez with the bar-tender when we arrived there. I didn’t have time to search his room, afterwards. They have to know we talked with him”

  “But it was your card. Why arrest Comfort?”

  “That, I don’t know. Maybe Hand can tell me, when we get him free.”

  “I think there must be some other reason and El Jefe may not originally have had a part in it.”

  “Are you suggesting the taking of Hand was only the work of Major Dominguez?”

  “Not suggesting, just guessing.”

  “Well, keep on guessing. I have to go find out what the Ambassador has on his mind. Are you coming?”

  “Was I asked to be present?”

  “What difference does it make?”

  Henry Lane Wilson was at his desk leafing through files. He led off without any preamble. “I have just been informed, President Huerta wants to see you, Seth, at the Palace this afternoon at 3:00 p.m. sharp.”

  Seth looked a question at Artimus, who responded by raising an eyebrow.

  “Is this about Hand Comfort?”

  “I have no way of knowing,” the Ambassador snapped.

  Seth stared at the Ambassador who had gone back to his files.

  “Very well, sir. If that is all, I’ll take my leave”

  “No, that is not all! You will be seeing him alone. I am not invited. I hope you restrain your propensity to be contentious. That does not sit well with a man like Victoriano Huerta. If there is any chance at all of getting your friend out of that prison, do not forfeit it by adopting an unacceptable attitude of disrespect. Now, if you will excuse me, I have other work to do.”

  Out in the hall, Seth turned to Artimus. “What do you think?”

  “It could possibly be a significant development.”

  “How do you figure?”

  “I think, dear fellow, you are about to be propositioned by El Jefe”

  “Propositioned? To do what?”

  Artimus grabbed his arm, steering him away from the Ambassador’s door. “I haven’t the foggiest, but I’ll bet there is a quid pro quo somewhere behind that summons to the Palace.”

  “I have nothing to offer him, but if it concerns Hand, I’m damn sure ready to listen.”

  “If you will pardon—a word of advice. The Ambassador was right. Try and control your emotions.”

  “Don’t you mean my propensity to be contentious?”

  “I mean, just listen carefully to Huerta, without getting upset. Like it or not, he is the man in power. For your friend’s sake, don’t reject out of hand any proposition that wily old fellow offers you, unless it is completely outrageous. Even so, if it purports to get Mr. Comfort free, agree to consider
it. To be frank, I fear time has about run out for your friend in San Juan de Ulua, making it absolutely essential we extract him from that damnable place as soon as possible.”

  62

  HE WAS WEARING A DARK pin-striped suit of English worsted, sitting behind his desk idly toying with an old bayonet. He stared at Seth through the blue tinted lens of his steel frame glasses and pointed the bayonet to a Louis XV armchair opposite his desk.

  “Good afternoon, General,” Seth said..

  Huerta affected not to notice the deliberate omission of the title ‘President. He ran his finger lightly down the edge of the three-sided blade of the bayonet.

  “One of yours,” he said.

  “I beg your pardon, sir.”

  “In 1847, a Yankee soldier put this into my great uncle’s shoulder at the Garita de Belen, shortly before my uncle killed him with his bare hands. But, enough of that, have you enjoyed your visit to my country?”

  “Your Capital is very beautiful. Under different circumstances, I should find a visit here to be quite pleasurable.”

  “You refer to the conditions created by rebellious and treasonable bandits. Is that not so?”

  “That of course.” And you are not going to like this. “I refer more to the outrageous arrest and imprisonment of my close associate and friend, Mr. Handsome Comfort.”

  Huerta laid the old bayonet on his desk, the point facing toward Seth. He tapped it with his finger and looked up significantly.

  “Mr. Cane, for over sixty-eight years we’ve had American bayonets pointed at the heart of Mexico. You people in the United States will have to realize that we will no longer tolerate your threats of invasion when you don’t get your outrageous demands granted.”

  “General Huerta, I am not aware now of any talk of invasion.”

  “It is always there, implicit behind your demands upon us.”