The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-05-07
ACTIVELY PREPARE
FOR PEACE PLANS
Mcdiators VIII Proceed With
Their Work Without Regard
to Carranza's Course.
OUTSIDE PRESSURE APPLIED
Definite Reports Received OF
Sweeping Rebel Victories
Near San Luis Potosi.
OUTSIDE PRESSURE APPLIED

to-day. pending the formal opening OF
tho Conference OF South American
mediators at Niagara Falls. Canada,
on May Is, there continued an active
undcrcurrcnt OF discussion and prep
aration for the peace plans, and at the
same time definite reports reached the
Constitutionalist headquarters here of
sweeping Victories OF their forces near
San Luis potosi. and other points far
south OF Saltillo, where 1t was
thought their next big battle would
occur.
Tho news of Constitutlonalist sue
cesses reached here in dispatches from
General Carranzn to Raphael Zeubarnn.
Minister of the Interior In the Con-
stitutional Cabinet, who had direct
wire set up to the headquarters of
General Carranza In chihuahua to-
day. General Carranzas messages
showed that three converging cam
paigns were In active operation, zach
within 800 miles of Mexico City. Gem
eral Oregon, with $4,000 men, was
operating from the Pacific coast side,
had captured all tho Intervening ter
ritory. was besieging Mazatlan, and
was threatening Mexico City from the
west.
ADVANCE ON MEXICO CITY
WITHIN NEXT FEW WEEKS
Another division, General Carranza
reported. had fought battle at Pen
sacos, near San Luis Potosi. which Is
800 miles north OF Mexico City. This
Is the southernmost point which the
Constitutionalists have reached in
Central Mexico, and. with the army
now attacking Tampico. 1t is declared
that the general advance on the Mex
lean capital is to be made within a
Few weeks from three sides. The
significance OF these Constitutionalist
victories lay in the fact that the ter
ritory Is far south of Saltillo, and only
800 miles from Mexico City south.
General Carranza's report of tho
plight of tho Fcderals was coincident
with tho reports from Rear-AdmiraI
Howard. who stated that land and sea
engagement was carried on, the Con-
stitutionalists firing rifles from Pedro
Island. while tho Federal gunboat was
aiding the shore batteries
Aside from the notable Constitutions
alist successes, the chief military de-
velopmcnt OF tho day was tho authori-
zation to General Funston to extend
his lines at Vera Cruz rs might be
needed for defensive purposes with
out, however. undertaking any ag-
SressiVe operations. A report also
came from General Funston that he
could secure no definite information
us to movements of the Federnls un-
der General Mas, but he construed
what they were doing, rs being mere
ly defensive No further reinforce
ments have been ordered to Vera
Cruz. nor has there been any sign OF
General Wood moving to the front to
assume command.
NAVAL SITUATION SHOWN
IN REPORTS FROM 'FRONT.'
Tho naval situation was shown in
reports from Rear admiral Badger, as
TO the Atlantic coast points. and from
RearJAdmiral Howard. as to conditions
on the Pacific side. Rear Admiral
Badger reported that sharp lighting
y, Il Il I,.t
erals and Constitutionalists. midway
between Vera Cruz and Tampico, and
lie added that rumors reached him
through Admiral Mayo that some of
Villas forces intended to take and
burn the city OF Tampico. Admiral
Mayo put no faith In reports of the
truce between the Federals and Con-
stitutionalist elements about Tampico.
Congress again came into the Mexi-
can situation to-day, when caustic
debate occurred In the Senate over the
resolution OF Mr.. Lippitt. OF Rhode
Island. asking President Wilson for
information as to his reported deslG-
nation OF Pancho Villa for next chief
OF the country.
The motion WAS tabled by a viva
voce vote. but not until Senator LIP
pitt had discussed tho "Villianous
Villa" the landing at Vera Cruz and
other Incidents.
Mexico also crept into the debate on
TN" repeal OF the Panama tolls ex-
eruption act when Senator Bradley. OF
kentucky. declared that the repeal
was the result OF watchful waiting In
Mexico.
ENvOYS COMPLETE PLANS
FOR PEACE CONFERENCE
The mediators completed their
plans for holding the sessions In Nj
aEara Falls, Ont. Headquarters will
be established in leading hotel Tho
mediators with their secretaries, ste
nographers. etc, will make party
of about fifteen. They VIII leave here
on May II to prepare for tho opening
conference on Monday.
The Huerta delegates nre expected
to arrive by way of Montreal. coming
thence to Niagara Falls.
The mcCliators definitely announced
to-day that they would proceed with
their work without regard to the
course of Carranza, In coming In or
remaining out OF the conference. They
have made no further overtGres to
him. and If he comes in 1t will be VOL
untary on his part.
In quarters outside OF tho mediators.
however, pressure Is being applied to
Carranza to Drin;, him into tho con-
ference. 1t ts believed to po tha de-
sire OF the United states that he should
"a. :icipate. In order that the cntlro
Mexican trouble T,ay be brought with
In any settlement secured.
The United States delegates have
rot been named Secretary Bryan said
to-day, however, that there was no
truth In published intimations that
the United States might not appoint
delegates and thus withhold paruci-
patton in the conference. He vii,
talk further with President Wilson
before the names are announced $50.
y notable official assemblage viii
meet tho funeral ship Montana when
II arrives at Brooklyn on Monday with
the dead sailors and marines from Vera
Cruz. Besides the President and tho
Secretary of the Navy. twenty .one
members OF the House OF Representa-
tives VIII be designated TO attend the
ceremony under resolution OF tha
House. adopted to-day. A similar rsso
luton probably will be introduced by
the Senate.
During. tha dav SanrAiar,. I,.... .