Evening star., 1914-05-03

| tice between the Mexican factions them
selves. The mediators. however, are con-
fident that their work can go ahead IN
spite of this obstacle.
Should Gen. Huerta and Gen. CarranZa
decide to send special ENJOYS here. IT may
take at least ten days for them to get
here and in the itnerim. it is not believed
vital points will be reached by the me-
diators. The interval elapstng will prove
beneficial in the view OF some officials, in
that it will give the war spirit in this
country opportunity to subside. while
the temper of the contending parties in
Mexico will be affected by the military
developments there.
While the day was spent by the nedi-
ators in considering the proposal to gath
er here representatives Of ali factions.
official Washington and diplomatic cir
cles were interested in the resignation OF
Senior Lopez Portillo Roias from the
portfolio of minister of foreign affairs IN
the Huerta cabinet. 1t was variously
interpreted. some seeing in it an indi-
cation of Huertas intention to brook no
suggestion for his own retirement. as
Senior Portillo was active in the mediation
prelimnaries. and others suggesting mat
il might be means of selecting the Mex
lean cabinet officer as a special repre-
sentative Of Huerta to confer With the
Washington mediators.
Change Not Regarded as ominous-
The appointment OF Senior Esteva Ruiz,
under secretary of foreign affairs. and
close friend Of Senior Portil,o, gave many
Mexicans and officials here the Impression
that there was nothing ominous In the
change so far as mediation was con-
cerned and that if Portillo was forced
out of the cabinet the incident was per
sonal rather than political in significance
In we'll posted diplomatic quarters
Ruiz's appointment as Iiuerta's foreign
minister was accepted as meaning that
Huerta would take a stronger and more
direct hand in the mediation negotiations,
but not to the extent of letting the me-
dation fail. as there was reason to believe
Iuerta now had come to recognize that
failure of mediation would carry him
down with it.
1t was definitely known that as late as
last Wednesday after Portillo had given
Huertas acceptance of med1auon,
Huerta held a conference with one of the
European ministers at Mexico Sits' a.
which Huerta expressed doubts on
mediation and urged that European
powers ought to get together on some al
tentative plan. His main desire was that
they should bring about arbitration.
binding on both parties, instead OF
mediation, which is advisory. No action
was taken. however. but Huerta views
then expressed indicated his skeptical
attitude toward mediation.
Ruiz Comparatively Unknown.
Ruiz is comparatively unknown in Mex
lean official life. He is thirty-eight years
old. a lawyer. and has had about -FOUR
years in minor branches of the diplomatic
service besides once serving as consul at
Havana. He is expected to closely re-
fleet the Huerta view, which. while not
strongly confident of what mediation can
t-l. kntt n Tar
failure
Interest in the personnel of the repre-
sentatives to advise with mediators i'm
mediately was aroused in diplomatic cir
cles.
For the United States. the name of
Counselor Robert Lansing of the State
Department was prominently mentioned.
as he has represented this government
on MANY international commissions in the
past. John Lind personal representative
of President Wilson in Mexico; John BaS-
sett Moore. and Henry White. former
Ambassador to France. also were sug-
gested
Capmany May Be Designated.
For the constitutionalists It is most
probable that Rafael Zubaran Capmany,
who arrived here yesterday to become
confidential agent of Carranza in wash
ington will be designated. He lett
Juarez before the offer OF good ofices
was accepted by Gen. Carranza, but 1t
Is expected that the constitutional1st
chief. if he responds favorably to the
last request of the three South American
envoys would send full instructions 70
his newly arrived agent here to partici-
pate in the proposed conferences;
For Gen. Huerta- Senior Godoy Tor
many years first secretary OF the Mexl-
can embassy; Senor Algara. until re-
Gently charge daffaires OF the embassy
bere and Senor Francisco de la Barra,
Mexican minister to France, have been
suggested.
Mr.. Bryan last evening said that while
no formal naturalization of the Iamplco
oil field has been arranged ne was en-
couraped nv the assurances of both con-
stitutionalist and Huerta leaders that the
properties and employees would be pro-
tected.