Evening journal., 1914-04-29
BY IOHN EpNIN NEvIN.

United Press Stan Correspondent.
WASHINGTON. April 29.-Despite
the fact that the army and navy are
still keyed up to war pitch, the Mexi-
can problem has apparently resolved
itself into diplomatic riddle which
no one In authority prepared to haz-
ard guess on whether it will be sue
cessfully solved.
In the big mansion occupied by the
Argentine legation in the heart of
fashionable Washington. the three A.
b. G. diplomats. who have undertaken
to bring peace out of chaos, sit in al
most continuous conference Just what
they are doing Is known only TO them
selves. They admit privately that
their task is desperate but they assert
they are hopeful
Lengthy cable messages, reduced to
an indecipherable code. go forth to
the representatives OF the three ma
tons IN Mexico City. Others equally
long come In reply. Then there are
conferences, surrounded with utmost
formality and impenetrable secrecy.
between the Spanish ambassador
here. legatee of Huertas interests,
and Secretary of State Bryan.
Always there is the same response
when inquiry Is made-that prema-
ture publication might spoil all
Whether real progress has been made
or whether the various conferences
have been productive only of talk Is
known only to the three because
Bryan, their only American conn.
dante, has told them he did not wani
TO have the situation outlined 10 him
In detail until after the definite planl
of tire mediators have been completed
Official circles as represented by
the President and Secretaries Bryan
and Daniels maintain an air Of conf
dent optimism. There is contendel
that the general unanimous supper
given the mediation proposal by tn
, nations not alone of South America
but OF Europe means that the move
ment must succeed But there is an
other group Of high officials OF IN
TYPE OF Secretaries Garrison an
Lane. Postmaster-G General Burlesor
not so optimistic. None are sayin
anything Tor publication. But ther
Is little lcft 10 doubt from the man
ner I'm which these officials answo
questions that they consider the med
iation proposition well nigh hopeles
and that while the "talkfestn is "a
ing on. the Mexican factions are pre-
pairing to consolidate and present
united front 20 the troops of "a
United States when they are at la.
ordered forward.
Diplomatic circles are already sug
gestng that even i'm the group q
/ self-appointed mediators at least on
4 member, Ambassador Da CANA. doe
not think the outlook prOpitious 70
peace. Naturally as his governmen
Is representing the United States I
Mexico City, he IS a little more close
ly informed OF Huerta's real attitude
Tie knows the minimum the Unite
States can with honor accept and h
also realizes full we'll the entire ea
\ tent of the concessions that Huert
OF the other Mexican factions wi
u make. All attempts, however, to =,
an expression from the ambassado
have failed.
H. One of the chief reasons for thi
! uncertainty is the fact that even o
ficials here do not know the plan {
le procedure that is 20 be follOwel
m Huerta, il is said, wants general arb
g. tration with an international coui
II OF which he will select one-hal
!, Such a concession by this govern
: ment would be an absolute recOgn
III tion OF the pretensions OF the dict,
D. tor. the one thing above all other
"a that he has been planning for mol
10 than a year. lt is expected Presidel
Wilson would not accept any sue
rIou Inst ,Nlfstf ha will propnaa ,
10 this governments plan is yet to
i. revealed. For the present. 1t is b
e.. lieyed the mediators are contentiI