The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-29
VILLA AANNOUNCESHE IS NOT A CANDIDATE.
 FOR THE PRESIDENCY
Assurance Regarded as Sig nificant by Leaders and Many Hope Peace Can
 Be Restored

Washington. September 2S.--Formal announcement from General Villa that he will not be a candidate for Pres ident or vice president of Mexico was received at the state department through George c. Carothers. consul agent at Chihuahua City. This dispatch. the first to reach Washington from the interior of Mexico since Villas revolt against General Carranzas authority as first chief of the constitutionalsts. greatly strengthened the hopes of Of ficials here for a peaceful adjustment of the difficulties between the two leaders.
 special significance was attached to Villas assurance because 1t followed so closely the declaration of General carranza that he would not become a candidate if Villa would give a sim liar promise and all the military lead : CTS were eliminated as presidential possibilities.
 The state department tonight was without information from Mexico City. but 1t generally was believed In offl- clal circles that If General carranza re- signs Thursday, as has been declared he will. the convention called by him for that date will name as his successor Fernando Iglesias calderon, whose se- lection has been demanded by Villa.
 Hope for Peace
 constitutionalist representatives here tonight were hopeful that the peace commissioners dispatched by Carranza and Villa to meet in an attempt to ad- just the existing difficulties between the two factions would reach satis- factory solution of the problem. All though the Mexican embassy had not been informed officially as to where tho commissioners would confer, 1t was said that Aguas Calentes probably would be the place.
 General Funston. commanding the American forces at Vera Cruz. informed the war department that General Za- pata, the southern rebel leader, had lodged protest with him against the surre nder of Vera Cruz to the Carranza government. Zapata made 1t plain that he aid not recognize Carranza as the first chief of the constitutionalists Zapata's army makes him a factor to be reckoned with and 1t Is admitted that his attitude will not be calculated 10 hasten the preparations for the American evacuation.
 To Relieve Vessels
 Orders for the withdrawal from Mex lean waters of the battleships Ark ansas, Delaware and North Dakota had been prepared tonight and only await cd the signature of Secretary Daniels to become effective.
 These vessels are to be relieved by the Texas. Minnesota and Rhode Island which have been ordered to Vera Cruz
 At the navy department 1t was said that Secretary Daniels would release the three battleships from Mexican duty tomorrow. They will proceed north for target practice maneuvers and drills. which have been suspended |durine their stay in southern waters.
 In accordance with recommenda- tions that only four batt1eships be re- tained for the present in Mexican wa ters. submitted to Secretary Daniels by Rear Admiral Fletcher. it is proposed also to soon withdraw the Virginia and Kansas, leaving the Texas. Minnesota, Rhode Island and Vermont to consti- tutc the naval force in Mexico