The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1914-03-15
REBEL CHIEF IS
INCLINED TO Be
MORE MODERATE
General Carranza Allows the
Right of American Consuls
to Act for the Citizens of
Other Powers.

WASHINGTON, March 14.-The dec
laration of General Carranza, outlining
his policy as to the right OF Amer1can
consuls in northern Mexico to act for
citizens of other powers, was transmit
ted promptly today to the various pow
ers by the diplomatic representatives IN
Washington. Copies OF the statement
telegraphed to Secretary Bryan by
American Consul Simpich at Nogales
were supplied to the diplomats late to-
day and considered OF such Importance
that there was no delay in submitting
them to the government as basis for
specific instructions.
Embassy and legation officials were
unpYepared to comment on the Carranza
note except in general terms, One fact
is accepted, however, that the United
States cannot continue TO act for them
in defiance of Carranza s refusal to
listen to representations on the old
basis, They feel that there is no war"
rant of law for allowing United States
consuls TO accept credentials also from
foreign governments, as seems to be re-
quired by Carranza, even if the various
governments were willing to bestow
such powers.
No Change Meantime.
General Carranza has cut himself off
from communication by starting on
horseback with his staff across the
mountains of chihuahua for the capi~
tai OF that state. 1t Will be nearly two
weeks before he can be reached by
telegraph and it is assumed at the
state department. that no change in
the status Of foreigners in northern
Mexico is likely In the immediate fu-
ture.
Department officials feel that Cen
orol ~ lop1a arufi ms orlc a
change in hls first uncompromising at
tltude, and that by the time he reaches
chihuahua he will be ready to concede
to the United States the right to look
after foreign interests in the country
controlled by the constitutionalists
without the limitations imposed in to-
day's declaration Of policy.
For the next fortnight, at least, the
old practices probably Will be followed,
and the state department will continue
to protest against any maltreatment Of
foreigners or injury to their properties,
while, on the other hand, Carranza or
his agents, without accepting these pro-
tests or representations as official. will
note them as matters of information
upon which the cases will be investi-
gated as if they had been reported by
the Mexican officials. This situation
will obtain. however, only in localities
where the foreign governments have no
consuls.
Some Precedents.
It is believed that in other cases the
various governments will accept Cen
eral Carranze' suggestion and allow
their consuls to do business with him on
an unofficial basis, which will not carry
with It's political recognition. It is re-
called that this was done by Great Brit
ain, France and other European coun-
tries in the Confederate states during
the civil war
Carranza s noic is plain bid for
recognition by this government, as well
as by other governments, Senator Fall
of New Mexico said in statement to-
day. :" In refusing to accept the rep
specting the interests Of foreigners
whose interests the United States has
asked its consuls 10 conserve, Carrapza
violates the comfy of nations. II is a
note peculiarly Mexican in it's disre-
gard of international usage
Secretary Bryan denied today any
knowledge OF shipment Of arms con-
signed TO the American embassy in
Mexico City, and reported to have been
detained. 1t is believed that if any
such arms have been held up, they were
destined for individual Americans and
not for the embassy force.
Carranza's Note.
The text of General Carranza reply
to Consul Simpich was as follows:
as you know. the department at
ashInston has communicated with me
through yourself ard the American
colsAo; ct He.rnosilo 10 make two