The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1911-04-27
PEACE SEEMS NEAR
Both Sides in Mexico Are
in Earnest.
MAY NAME COMMISSIONERS
Five Days Armistice is to be Ex'
tended if Negotiations Do Not
Come to Head in
That Time.

FL Paso, Tex, April 25.-Although
the lnsurrecto and the government
leaders have by an armistice until
Friday to settle the possible fate oil
war-harried Mexico. it was expected
that real negotiations regarding peace
would open in this city
The conferences between General
Madero. his family and friends, includ'
ing Or. Valesquez Gomez, head of the
Washington junta, on the one hand
and General Navarro and the other
Diaz men on the other, were to be held
IN FL Paso, it was understood. If any
actual peace agreement is reached
however, it will probably be signed
across the river in Jarez.
1t was learned that if there should
be need Of a longer period than five
days in which to conclude peace the
armistice will be extended from next
Friday, when the five day limit agreed
on expires at noon.
Madero met the peace commission
ers several times. but there has been
no agreement as yet There is hitch
now on how the arrangements will be
carried out. Madero wants the federal
government to name commissioners
who will be able to act in a binding
manner for the federal government.
He would obyiate the necessity Of car
rying on so much Geographic cores
pondcnce with Mexico.
One of the demands Of Madero as
that the provisional governors now on
duty in the states of chihuahua, Du.
range. Coahuila and Sonora be allowed
to remain in office until an election
can be held. the federal governors for
these three states retiring.
Nadero will also insist that his men
mus, not be disarmed. If they dispense
they are to go to their homes with
their arms. This is to be the part OF
the federal guarantee Of good faith. II
good faith is not shown by the govern
ment. then the war can be resumed II
the federals break faith.
is Not a Surrender.
Madero will insist that the dlsband-
ment shall not be in the nature Of a
surrender. He is willing. Il is stated,
to have a certain date set for ending
the war, after which time all men in
arms will be considered traitors or
bandits. He will insist that ample tine
be given all the men in arms in all
parts of the republic to get intorma-
ton as TO the cessation Of hostilities.
All who return to their homes and
cease operations by the date set are
10 be exempt from prosecution for
any act OF war they may have com
mitted against the government during
the time they have been in arms. mp
to and including the date set for final
disarmament.
Madero will insist that his men now
in Office in he four states named and
the local officials whom they have put
into Office he retained, as he claims
they have been elected in accordance
with the popular will Of the people and
that their installation is the first step
towards reform.
Madero will consent to the other
governors remaining in Office pending
the expiration of their present terms,
meantime the no-re-electiOn clause to
be adopted in all states and by the
nation. so that full and free elections
will be held as officials terms expire
in the states and nation.
AS to the carrying out OF the re-
forms offered by Diaz, MaderO is will
ing to accept the assurances Of the
cabinet and the men who are acting
in behalf OF the cabinet and the presi-
dent-Branlff, Obregon, Hernandez
and his father. These assurances, the
continuation of his insurrecto officials
in Office in the four states and the re-
tention of arms by the insurrectos af-
ter returning to their homes, he be-
lieves. will be guarantees sufficient to
proev the good faith Of the govern
ment.
Madero admitted that Dr. Gomez is
coming to FL Paso from Washington
to take part in the peace negotiations.
Gomez is the confidential agent Of
Madero in Washington and was can
didate for vice president on the Ma
dero ticket at the last election.