The Plan de San Diego: Tejano Rebellion, Mexican Intrigue

19. Further Investigation

19Further Investigation The bureau continued to rely on a stable of informers, some of whom were less than enthusiastic. Agent Mennet had tried to persuade one Amado Cavazos, who had operated a store in Santa María on the Rio Grande and was now living in Nuevo Laredo, to cross into Laredo and tell what he knew of the San Diego movement, but Cavazos refused, and Mennet felt it was too dangerous for him, Mennet, to cross into Mexico.1 On January 1, 1917, Agent Rogers at Brownsville had arranged to send a paid informant in whom he had confidence, Jesús María González, a Mexican merchant, to learn what he could about the current status of Plan de San Diego players Aniceto Pizaña, Luis de la Rosa, Evaristo Ramos, Basilio Ramos, Agustín Garza, Emiliano Nafarrate , Esteban Fierros, and Maurilio Rodríguez. Informant González was of the opinion that a conspiracy had existed in 1915 by the Carranza administration to launch raids into Texas as a ploy to get Carranza diplomatic recognition, and “they boast now that the purpose was actually accomplished.” González added that the ignorant class of Mexicans actually believed that the Texas revolution had succeeded and that Texas had been overrun and plundered, a view based on the propaganda they’d been receiving.2 Further Investigation 215 The Carranza authorities announced that de la Rosa was arrested in Monterrey on January 11, 1917, for having plotted with disaffected army officers to seize the city. De la Rosa, allegedly the chief conspirator , had planned to arrest Pablo de la Garza, the governor of Nuevo León; General Alfredo Ricaut, the military commandant; the mayor; and other notables on January 16. The conspiracy was discovered and de la Rosa was arrested together with several mutinous officers before the plot could be implemented.3 Reportedly several of the Carranza officers who had supported de la Rosa at one time “now were ready to overthrow him.” The speculation—improbable as it was—was that de la Rosa might have made arrangements to deliver the city to Pancho Villa or to the felicistas. General Ricaut announced to reporters that all those arrested were going to be tried by a military court and would be given the penalty they deserved.4 On January 25, informant Fukuda visited Agustín S. Garza in Garza’s room, number 19, at the Hotel Independencia in Monterrey. He found Garza reading a book. Garza knew Fukuda and received him warmly. After the usual pleasantries in which Garza inquired about Fukuda’s perfume business, the Japanese asked him about de la Rosa. Garza bitterly replied that the man was “a fool and a drunkard. I did so much for him until now.” Asked if de la Rosa would be executed, Garza replied, “No, he has some very influential political friends,” and expressed doubts that de la Rosa had actually planned to revolt. Changing the subject, Fukuda asked when Garza planned to revive his revolutionary movement. Garza answered, “Someday. I have not given up yet, only the First Chief does not want us to make trouble.” With regard to the Texas revolution, Fukuda reported that Garza had two Japanese friends in Mexico. “One of them was his right hand man in the Texas revolution. His name is Kuwabara” (aka “Pablo Nago”?).5 Informant Fukuda reported on January 28, that he had made inquiries about de la Rosa and was told that he was imprisoned with eight or nine of his comrades and was enjoying much consideration inside the penitentiary although facing court-martial. The sedicioso Pedro Viña was brought from Villaldama under arrest and confined in the penitentiary.6 Fukuda added that the president of the court-martial, Francisco G. Peña, had returned from Querétaro, and the tribunal 216 Further Investigation would soon convene to try Enrique Valle, de la Rosa, and a number of others.7 Interestingly, though, Ed Gifford, a Monterrey businessman, told bureau agent Mennet in January that he had personally witnessed de la Rosa having dinner with General Alvaro Obregón, Carranza’s secretary of war and marine, in the latter’s private railroad car at the Monterrey station. “Informant does not remember the date but says positively that it was after the United States had been officially informed that de la Rosa was detained in the Monterrey penitentiary awaiting trial. Informant also said...