The Sentinel=record., 1914-05-22


 cident at Tampico as the starting point for the discussion is in line with the emphasis placed by the me diators on the purposes of the con ference.
 Ambassador Da Cana. talking in formally in this connection, pointed to the fact that the tender of good offices originally was made and the present mediation had for its princi. pal object the ayerting of war be- tween Mexico and the United States.
 While the mediators regret that the constitutionalists have no voice in the conference, they recognize that their efforts may be favored by their ability to deal now with only two parties to the Mexican situation. It was pointed out that in the past diplomacy speedily has reached ami cable settlements of differences when it had but two parties to deal with Nevertheless. the mediators believe the constitutionalists would have benefited by the presence of a spokesman here.
 The mediators have no present in tention of answering general Car ranza's last communication, in which he inquired what the exact functions of his representatives would be, alsl precisely what points would be dis cussed at the mediation.
 The mediators did not feel that it would have been discreet to have re- vealed their plans in advance of the conference. They regard their own communication to General CarranZa withdrawing the invitation to partici- pate in the conference here as clos ing their dealing with the constitu- tionalists for the time being.
 Recognizing the importance of the constitutionalists in any plan looking to the ultimate pacification of Mex ico the mediators believe their first duty is to resolve the differences be- tween the United States and Mexico which might have plunged the two countries into a disastrous war.
 Even if the mediators are unsuc- cessful in their later efforts to get the constitutionalists to accept their plans for a new provisional govern ment in Mexico, they believe their labors will not have been in vain in that they will have prevented a re- sumption of hostilities with the United States.
 The mediators hope they can pre- sent definite plan for the recon ciliation of all factions in Mexico be- fore the invading cOnstitutionalist army succeeds in menacing the MeXi- can capital itself They are counting on the influence and pressure of worldwide opinion to help them eventually to bring the constitution alists to a realization that a lasting government cannot be established in Mexico City unless built along lines commanding formal recognition by the great powers.
 The mediators are encouraged con siderably by the fact that the MeXi- can delegates have full powers to act on all questions affecting the in- ternal peace as well as international peace of their country. The South American envoys realize that the Mexican commissioners also have private instructions from General Huerta dealing with the exercise of plenary powers and that certain vital points will have to be referred to General Huerta for decision, but the feeling prevails that the Mexican executive has placed the solution of the problem involving his own elimi- nation if necessary in the hands of his agents here.
 The mediators had their first op- portunity early today to learn the character of the powers held by the Mexican commissioners, but until dis closed by the conference it probably will not be known exactly under what conditions General Huerta will retire.
 Both the Mexican and American representatives expressed encourage ment over what appeared to them smooth progress thus far. No hitch has occurred, they said. The medi- ators have been chiefly exchanging ideas and getting the viewpoint of the delegates. They will continue in this manner until a point is reached where benefits might come from a full conference such as was inaugu- rated at the first formal session yes terday.
 The session with the Mexican dele gates early today was held at the re- quest of the mediators, but the con ference in the afternoon with the Americans came about as a result of formal call by the latter on Minis ter Suarez The American con>Js- sioners incidentally told Minister Suarez that they had received word from President Wilson since the talk last night. and Ambassador Da Cana and Minister Naon were summoned by MT Suarez. The conference lasted nearly an hour. It was gen orally understood afterwards that the procedure mapped out by the media uf, ,iv,r