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Show AMERICAN TO I BE EXECUTED Washington, April 30. Unofficial reports reaching Washington tonight that Dr. Edward Ryan, an American in the service of the United States government, looking after refugees, was to be executed as a spy at Mexico Mexi-co City tomorrow, caused Secretary Bryan to make urgent representation In behalf of Dr. Ryan to tbe Spanish embassador. General Huerta s representative repre-sentative here. Mr Bryan said that no news of Dr. Ryan's reported plight had reached him through official circles and that he was not inclined to credit the story. sto-ry. No chances, however, were taken. ta-ken. Embassador Riano was instructed instruc-ted to inquire at once, and if he found that Dr Ryan was under arrest, to insist upon his release. The matter also was brought to the attention of Senor Da Gama, the Brazilian minister, who communicated communica-ted with the charge of American interests in-terests tbere. Dr. Ryan is a physician and has been active in relief work in Mexico for some time. Officials here said any accusation of spying or Improper conduct against the doctor would be absurd, that his ! activities had been confined solely to efforts to relieve suffering humanity. humani-ty. Edward G. Ryan. RAid to be of the American Red Cross, has been In Mexico for a considerable time In March, 1919, he was reported to have received a gold medal from the then American embassador, Henry Lane Wilson, in recognition of his bravery during the ten days battle in the streets of Mexico City. He undertook several relief missions mis-sions at Torreon and Saltillo, according accord-ing to reports, and attended Nelson O'Shaughnessy. charge d afraires. when he was slightly 111 In March of this year. St Louis. Mo., April 30 The story of how Mexican "snipers' at Vera Cruz, during the battle with American Ameri-can marines and bluejackets, flreu from the roof of & house while an American woman and her two children chil-dren huddled In the basement of the same building, was told here today by Mrs. Emma B. Beck, wife of the pres ident of a Mexico City banking com pany. Mrs. Beck, with a party of refugees from Mexico, passed through St, Louis on her way to Franklin, Ind A few weeks ago Mrs Beck and her two daughters left Mexico City for Vera Cruz and In the latter city took up a temporary residence at No. 18 Constitution street, a few blocks from the spot where American marine?) landed "When the fighting began," said Mrs. Beck, ' my two children and 1 Uid in a basement room and remained 'here twenty-four hours, while sni peril,' led by a citizen of Vera Cruz residing next door, hauled a machine gun to the roof of our house. It was a terrible period for us. for we knew not at what moment they might vent their hostility on ub " |