Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-03-15
DIPLOMATS WEIGH
CARRANzA'S NOTE
Cable His Proposition to For
eign Offices and Ask
Instructions.
u. S. NOTE SENT HIM
DESCRIBED AS "ABRUPT"
State Department Cannot Act for
Other Governments Unless
He Changes Front.

So important did foreign diplomatic
representatives In Washington consider
Gen. Carranza's latest note to Secretary
Bryan. outlining his position regarding
foreigners in northern Mexico, that they
made unusual haste late yesterday to
forward copies to their home governments
and ask for instructions
This action was made doubly neces-
sary because Of Carranza's suggestion
that countries which have recognized
Huerta might deal with him unofhcially
through their diplomatic representatives
In Washington. 1t was pointed out that
these representatives here have been
looking actively after their nations In
terests in northern Mexico. but have been
doing so through the United States gov
eminent
The publication Of Carranza's note here
brought through unofficial sources copies
of Secretary Bryans notes to American
consuls near Villa and Carranza regard
ing the death of the Englishman, Benton.
Men who saw these copies said that the
word sent to Villa spoke of good Offices
and other diplomatic terms but that the
message to CarranZa was abrupt They
said that this possibly explained Car
ranza's unfavorable attitude.
United States Cannot Act
Embassy and legation officials were
unprepared to comment on the Car
rama note until they had received in
structions from home. One fact was &C
cepted, however, that the United States
cannot continue to act for them unless
Carranza completely retreats from his
position.
1t was pointed out, however. that Car
ranZas latest attitude is considerably
more favorable than was the stand he
first took regarding the Benton case. and
men who know him were OF the opin-
ion that he is preparing to accept the
representations of the United States re-
garding foreigners in his territory with
out the formality of any authorization.
Department officials feel that Gen. Car
ranza's declaration marks change In
his first Incorporating attitude and
that by the time he reaches Chihuahua
he Will be ready to concede to the United
States the right to look after foreign In
terests in the country controlled by the
constitutionalists without the limitations
imposed in the declaration of policy.
For the next fortnight. at least. the
old practice probably will be followed
and the State Department will continue
to protest against any maltreatment OF
foreigners or injury to their properties,
his agents. without accepting these pro-
tests or representations as official, will
note them as matters Of Information upon
which the cases will be Investigated as
officials This situation will obtain. how
ever, only in localities where the foreign
governments have no consuls.
Likely to Accept.
1t is believed that in other cases the
various governments will accept Gen
Carranza's suggestion and allow their
consuls to do business with him on an
unofficial basis. which will not carry
with 1t political recognition It Is re-
called that this was done by Great Brit
ain, France and other European coun-
tries in the Confederate states during the
civil war.
"Carranza's note Is a plain bid for
recognition by this government as well
as by other governments" declared Sem
ator Fail of New Mexico in a statement
Yesterday 'In refusing to accept the
representations of American consuls re-
speeding the interests of foreigners whose
interests the United states has asked It's
consuls to conserve, Carranza violates
the comfy Of nations. 1t Is note pecu-
Larry Mexican in its disregard of inter-
national usage"
Denies Arms Shipment.
Secretary Bryan denied yesterday any
knowledge Of a shipment Of arms con-
signed to the American embassy in
Mexico City, and reported to have been
detained. 1t Is believed that if any
such arms have been held up they
were destined for individual Americans
and not for the embassy forces.
Conditions In Mexico and disturbances
in a number of South American coun-
tries are understood to be the principal
reasons for the announcement last night
that the fifth Pan-American conference.
which was to have been held in Santi-
ago. Chile, about the middle Of next
September had been postponed until
November IS.
Ambassadors and ministers here will
notify their governments of this pur-
pose. Secretary Bryan having assented
to the postponementa
A secondary reason. it was said, was
the fact that travelling across the Andes
is almost sure to be good in November,
whereas in September 1t Is uncertain