Evening star., 1914-09-29
Elimination of Carranza and
Villa as Presidential! Candi-
dates May Bring Peace.
OUTCOME OF CONFERENCE
is HOPEFULLY AWAITED
Administrators Attitude Still De-
scribed as One of "Watchful
Waiting"

Developments in the Mexican sit
uation today awaited the outcome of
the conference between Carranza and
Villa leaders. feeling of optimism
prevailed in administration circles,
where officials hoped the elimination
of both Carranza and Villa as presi-
Dental candidates would heal the
breach and bring peace.
At the cabinet meeting the situation
was discussed and Secretary Bryan
brought late dispatches from the con-
sular agents in Mexico. The admins
tration's attitude was still described
as one of "watchful waiting"
Orders for the withdrawal from Mex
ican waters of the battleships Arkan-
sas, Delaware and North Dakota had
been prepared and awaited only the
signature of Secretary Daniels to be-
come 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 it was said
that Secretary Daniels would release
the three batt'eships from Mexican
duty very soon, possibly today. They
will proceed north for target practice
maneuvers and drills, which have been
ern waters.
In accordance with recommendations
that only four battleships be retained
for the present in Mexican waters, sub
Admiral Fletcher, it Is proposed also
to soon withdraw the Virginia and
Kansas. leaving the Texas. Minnesota.
Rhode Island and Vermont to consti-
tute the naval force in Mexico.
Villa Saws He Is Not a Candidate.
Formal announcement from Gen. VIII
la that he will not be a candidate for
president or vice president of Mexico
was received at the State Department
yesterday through Consular Agent
Carothers. at Chihuahua city.
This dispatch, the first to reach
Washington from the interior Of Mex
leo since Villas revolt against Gen:
Carranza's authority as first chief Of
the constitutionalists, greatly strength
ened the hopes of ofhcfais here for q
peaceful adjustment OF the difficulties
between the two leaders. .-.s.-.
ySifssa nRfsss assurai,cs. Sscsuss Il Hii seiicsssd "a
SO closely the declaration Of Gen. Car
rsnsa that ,,, 1s would not OF. 1sesms ss,,.1
promise and ail the other military
possibilities. .
lt was ReNefally DSllcVeQ O1uCldl
circles that II Gen. Carranxa resigned
Thursday, as has been declared he will,
the convention called by him for that
date will name as his successor Fer
nando Iglesias Calderon, whose selec-
tion has been demanded by Villa.
Hopeful Of an Adjustment.
Constitutionalist representatives here
were hopeful that the peace commits
sioners dispatched by Carranza and
Villa to meet in an attempt to adjust
the existing difficulties between the
two factions would reach a satisfac-
tory solution of the problem. Although
the Mexican embassy had not been Of
hcially informed as to where the COM
missioners would confer, 1t was stated
that Aguascalientes would probably be
the place.
Cen Funston. commanding the Amer
lean forces at Vera Cruz, Informed the
War Department that Gen. Zapata, the
southern rebel leader, had lodged
protest with him against the surrender
of Vera Cruz to the Carranza gov
ernment. Zapata ma de 1t plain that he
did not recognize Carranza as the first
chief Of the constitutionalists. Ia
pata's army makes him a factor to be
reckoned with, and 1t is admitted that
his attitude will not be calculated to
hasten the preparations for the
American evacuation.