Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-06-18
MESSAGE FROM FRIEND
CONTAINS INFORMATION
Secretary Bryan Denies He Is Desir-
GUS of Appearing Before Media
ton Conference.

resentative Kent received the informa-
ton in code message from a personal
friend. telegraphing from Ell Paso. Tex.
who said that the matter is being KEEP,
very secret by Gen. Villa. The message
also said that affairs in Mexico are des-
perate.
Administration officials today have laid
aside much of the optimism which they
have heretofore manifested regarding q
peaceful outcome of affairs in Mexico
through successful mediation at Niagara
Falls. Many of the administration lead
ers still say they have hope for sue
cessful termination of the A. B. c. con-
ference. but they are more dubious than
they have been at any time since the ses-
sions began.
Officials close to the President feel tina,
Senior Ra,basa's published note of yester.
day disclosed anew that the Mexican
delegates are consistently holding out fol
Huerta adherent for the provisional
presidency. despite the fact that many
such men have been mentioned as 'neu-
trails
President Wilson is equally deter
mined in his view that unless man
chosen the new provisional government
will be in trouble from the outset
White House officials said that when
the reply Of the American delegates to
SeHOT f1dDaSA & note was puDl1Sneu IL
would be sufficient explanation of the
attitude Of the United States.
Bryan Not to Make Appeal.
Secretary Of State Bryan emphatically
denied this afternoon that he is desirous
Of appearing in person before the A. B. c.
mediation conference in Niagara Falls
in a desperate attempt to accomplish the
pacification Of Mexico through this
agency. This plan was reported in Of
fetal circles from presumably authori-
tative sources.
Secretary Bryan protested that such a
plan has never been considered by him.
Statements are said to have been made
here within the last day or two by con.
stitutionalist headquarters that the head
of the Department of State has expressed
the opinion that nothing short of q per
sona1 conference between himself and the
medfators would sweep away some Of the
MISUNDERSTANDING which now block the
way to an amicable adjustment Of the
Mexican situation.
Secretary Bryan from the first has
maintained confidence that peaceful
solution ultimately would be brought
about. 1t is well understood that SO fal
as the constitutionalists are concerned
especially the representatives Of Car
rama in Washington, they have beer
strong adherents of the Bryan program
for the reason that if carried into effec,
it would inure to the benefit of theil
cause.
So far as can be learned there is nc
precedent for such action as a visit OF
Secretary Bryan to the mediators, after
an international matter of dispute be-
tween two governments has been refer
red to neutrals to exercise their good Of
fees.
Officials Here Worried.
State Deartment officials had no author
itative reports today regarding the split
between Carranza and Villa. and admit
ted that they are worried by conditions
and the lack Of certain Information.
Gen. Felipe Angeles, war secretary In
Gen. Carranza's cabinet, who was chiefly
instrumental in quteting the difference be-
tween the rebel first chief and Gen.
Pancho Villa. and who has been promi-
nently mentioned as the United States
candidate for provisional president of
Mexico. has positively refused to accept
the" Office according to well authenti-
Gated dispatches received In Washing
ton today. Rafael Zubaran and Mr. Ur-
quidi. in charge of the constitutionalist
headquarters here. declined today to con-
firm this news, but admitted that there
might be much truth in 1t.
Carranza, it is authoritatively stated,
has withdrawn his orders issued through
a third party that Gen. Natera should
lead the expedition against Zacatecas and
has placed Gen. Villa in full charge of
the campaign. Significant in this connec-
ton are reports reaching here that ad-
ditional shipments of arms from foreign
ports are now en- route to the conStitu-
tionalist forces at Tampico.
Immediately following his restoration in
command of the situation in northern
Mexico Gen. Villa is declared to have
ordered the imprisonment of men who had
stirred up trouble between himself and
Carranza. Official dispatches to the
Washington government made no men
ton of this, but the agents Of Gen. Car
rama here are said to understand the
situation thoroughly, and in some official
quarters the action of Villa was COM
mended. This turn in events also was
regarded as emphasizing the prominence
and ability Of Gen. Angeles whose name
has been sanctioned by the United States
as one of the available men for pro
visionai president Of Mexico if mediation
can bring results.
Officials of the Washington government
turned their attention today to the crit
ical stage of the mediation negotiations
at Niagara Falls after publication of the
sharp statement by the Huerta dele
gates. The Mexicans charged that the in
sistence by the American mission on a
constitutionalist for the provisional presi-
dency as opposed to a neutral" was
'tantamount to abetting and even exact
ing fraud and violence at the elections
Publication Of the statement came as a
surprise to officials here. who were in
early with Justice Lamar
and Frederick w. Lehman at Niagara
A new problem for American diplomacy
was injected into the situation when It
became known that Rear Admiral How
ard, commanding the American squadron
in Pacific Mexican waters, had taken
aboard his vessels at Topolobampo con-
who sought safety when
their vessel, the Tampico, was sunk by
the federal gunboat Guerrero.
AS il would be impractical to keep
these prisoners long aboard the American
warships they probably will be brought
to the United States and interned. 1t
was pointed out that to succor the
wounded or to rescue the drowning and
then put them ashore to rejoin their
rebel commands. would be a clear viola
ton of neutrality.
Those familiar with precedents thought
the status of these constitutionalist
refusees would be identical with that of
the 4.O,, federal soldiers and camp fol-
lowers who crossed the Rio Grande into
Texas after defeat at Ojinaga. These
refugees have been interned ever since
first at Fort Bliss, Tex, and now at
Fort Wingate. N. Mex.
e.. d.