New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-05-25
Solemn Mass for Peace.

conference in the little chapel Of Our
Lady OF Peace.
1t was attended by the Minister OF
Argentina and his little son, Justice
Lamar. Judge Lehman, II. Percival
Dodge, the Messrs. Elguero. one
mediator and the other his brother and
secretary to the delegation; Mr..
Rodriguez. the daughters and sons OF
Mr.. Rabasa, Mr.. Algaro. numerous
others of the Mexican suite and large
number Of newspaper correspondents.
The Rev. Thomas O'Neil. the rector.
was celebrant. The sermon on the
Assumption. which feast was cele-
brated on Thursday, ended with dec
laration that without God no nation
could prosper and that without re-
ligion there would inevitably be lack
Of respect for constituted authority,
and war; rapine and therefore anarchy
would ensue. The God-fearing man,
said the preacher. makes the good citi-
zen. either as an individual or the head
of the family
There was no direct reference to the
Mexican situation in the sermon. AL
though at the offertory the entire mass
was offered for the successful outcome
Of the peace negotiations.
Excursion to Peninsula.
Mr.. Rabasa and the members Of his
family. DR.. Moreira, of the Brazilian
Embassy, and Mr.. Nee and others OF
the diplomatic and foreign contingent
availed themselves of the invitation Of
DIR. Doolittle, president of the Ontario
Motor League. and went on a delight
full ride through the Niagara PENN
sula, where the fruit trees, now in full
bloom, contribute to series Of charm
ing landscapes.
The peace negotiations themselves
remained in statu quo to-day From
various sources ] received assurances
oC the absolute accuracy OF the dis
patches / have sent to The Tribune,
I including that of this morning. put
there were no developments to-day.
The Mexican delegates, who before
they left Mexico made arrangements
for prompt and accurate advices re-
garding the military developments in
their country from a source they re-
gard unquestionably as authoritative,
are still convinced that Saltillo has not
fallen and remains in the hands of the
Federals When | made the sugges-
ton to one of them to-day that il was
some days after the fall Of Torreon be-
fore the fact was admitted in Mexico
City, he replied that it was also many
days before the fall of that city that
the Constitutionalists were claiming
that il had fallen and, Furthermore, he
suggested that while there might be
strategic reasons which led the gov
eminent to suppress the facts. so far
as the public in Mexico City was con-
cerned, the information sent to him
and his associates could be depended
upon as entirely accurate.
Mexico's Aerarian Bank.
Apropos Of the agrarian question In
Mexico, attention was called to-day TO
the fact that since 1894 Mexico had a
national agrarian bank, organized for
the purpose Of assisting the more
thrifty poems to become owners Of their
own farms and that this bank had a
capital of S60,0O0OO0 which is loaned
linn e.,
chasing their farms and at a rate of
interest from l to IL per cent less
than the prevailing commercial rate.
A great number of poems have awaited
become landowners, although most of
the operations in this direction have
been checked by the present rebellion.
One Of the MeXicans who inquired Of
one of the American delegates what
had been the experience Of the United
States in this direction, and II il had
developed a successful system of
agrarian or farmers banks, was in
formed that this country had never
established such system, but that its
establishment was part Of President
Wilson'S policy although it was I'M
likely that the organic legislation would
be passed at this session Of Congress
because of several radical differences
on the subject between the President
and the committee Of Congress which
would have to report the required bill.
Signs OF Long Stay.
Already speculation is turning to the
/ possible date Of the conclusion OF this
conference. 1t is, of course, mere spec
ulation, but the industry and applica-
ton of mediators and delegates, both
of which to degree generally foreign
TO diplomatic procedure are noticeable
here, have led to hopes that the end
may be reached soon. 1t is learned.
/ however. that both the American del
egates have sent for their wives and
have engaged quarters for them for
two weeks, and one of the mediators
who does not find his quarters i'm the
hotel to his liking is looking for a
house, so that hopes of a speedy ter
minatiop have little to go upon.
So often is it asked how this confer
ence compares with the last great peace
conference on American soil-the Rus
/ sO-Japanese conference at Portsmouth