New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-12-16
WASHINGTON FEARS
SETTLEMENT REMOTE
Recent Events in Mexico Re-
garded as Likely to Long
Delay End of Trouble.
frrnm The Tribune Rureau. J

fTrom The Tribune Bureau
Washington, Dec. 1J.-It is evident
that recent events in Mexico. including
the looting of chihuahua by Pancho
Villas forces. the failure OF the Con-
,stitutionalists at Tampico and the NAL
treatment OF foreigners, notably Span
iards. have created conditions that
make any settlement Of the Mexican
"situation" as a whole a matter Ter
the remote future. so long as the add
ministration's policy Of "watchful wait
ing" is insisted upon and so long as the
patience of the administration and Of
foreign governments endures.
When the Constituencies began 10
achieve considerable successes a few
weeks ago, like the capture OF Torreon'
Juare5 and Victoria, administration
circles hoped that the elimination OF
Huerta would he brought about in
reasonably short time by the force OF
rebel arms. The reverse which the
constitutionalists have received at
Tanlpico makes officials believe that
the old supposition that the MeXicans
would never be able TO fight 1t out 70
definite conclusion among themselves,
and that neither side had the strength
completely to crush the other is, after
all. the true view.
What is most interesting and signif-
cant of all is the breach that is an
pearing among the Constituencies.
There are distinct indications. set forth
i'm official reports. that Carranza, who
is called First Chief" no longer wields
the influence that he once did. SO long
as the Constitutionalist cause predomi-
mated in certain area. with all things
between all leaders of factions equal,
there was no discord.
Villa Looming Up.
But when Pancho Villa became a
first class hero by capturing the Fed
eral stronghold at Juarez and later TAX
ing Chihuahua, this leader began TO
consider himself greater than the rest.
General Carranza, who is supposed TO
be the chief of all Coz stitutionalists, is
apparently in personal control only in
the State of Sonora. This has been
shown in certain dealings he has had
with the State Department.
What ostensibly worries officials is
the apparent uncertainty that should
1.-THE Constitutionalists succeed in driv-
ing Huerta out there would be a state
Of affairs that would make American
intervention more likely than anything
that has happened so far. There are
many officials OF the government who
have followed the Mexican dispatches
who believe intervention inevitable.
The conduct OF the rebels at Chihua-
hua may prove disastrous TO the Con-
stitutionalist cause. The maltreatment
Of Spaniards and other foreigners is
likely again to bring foreign pressure
on the United States TO do something"
in Mexico.
Villa has cut the wires between Chi
huahua and the American border, and
II is impossible TO get direct informa-
ton. George c. Carothers, a member
of the American consular service, was
ordered TO leave FL Paso for Chihuahua
to-day. He is personally acquainted
with Villa, and he goes TO tell him that
his course in attacking foreigners and
foreign property cannot fail TO help to
discredit the Constitutionalist cause.
The State Department is taking the
keenest interest in the situation at Chi
huahua, and is doing everything in its
power TO protect Americans and other
foreigners.
Secretary Bryan's Geographic protest
to Villa last week did not get through
because wires were down.
Only Spain Heard From.
SO far only the Spanish government
has spoken 10 the State Department
about conditions in Chihuahua AS far
as can be learned. no reports have
reached the State Department which
confirm tho press dispatches that villa
has gone so far as TO mistreat foreign