Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-07-13
Indications That if His InfIu-
ence Wanes PerpIexities
Will Multiply.
NO FACTION REGARDED
MEDIATION WITH FAVOR
Constitutional Leaders Resolve to
Establish Permanent Government
in Their Own Way.
BY CHARLES M. PEPPER.

Gen. Carranza's reported intention not
to recognize Carvajal as provisional pres
ldent Is In line with the policy that the
constitutionalists have followed ever
since they became satisfied that Wash
inston would stand back Of them in elm
mating Huerta. 1t also is in line with
the sentiment that was developed by the
victorious troops against recognizing me-
diation.
Writing from northern Mexico. in the
iatter part OF May had occasion to ex-
plain that the insursent army was the
oody to be reckoned with on this subject.
me ultimate decision rested with 1t, and
the signs were quite marked that the
army was against mediation. and that
not even Villa himself could change 1t If
ne SO desired. There was nothing to in
dictate. however. that Villa did so de-
sire except as part of his general policy
OF not antasonizing too openly the United
states. There was no reason to suppose
mat Villa himself was ready to Yield any
or the fruits of victory
Ihis was before the capture Of Zacate-
cas- which greatly strengthened him and
encouraged his troops to believe that the
capital city was just before them as the
oooty OF war. After Zacatecas it would
nave been difficult to find an oficer or a
soldier In Villas army who was not
against any provisional government at
Mexico City which recognized Huerta as
still factor in Mexican affairs.
Feared Villas Power,
AT that time 1t was generally assumed
that the taking of Zacatecas insured
Villa the supreme military command in
the march on Mexico City. It was the
fear that Villas power would become too
great that caused the other factions of
the constitutionalists to rally to Car
rama, and to insist that his authority as
hrst chef should be formally affirmed. A
report that Gen. Obregon, on the Pacific
coast. had recognized Villa in preference
10 Carranza proved to be erroneous.
"nen he took Guadalajara a few DAYS
ago Cen Obregon reported to Carranza
as nrst chief. Gen. Gonzales. the victor
VI iamplco. also acknowledged Carran-
"a authority from the beginning.
Villas coup in selling and imprisoninc
Carranza officials in Chihuahua was his
reply TO the efforts of the Carranzaistas
10 put him in the background. II was
notlce to all the world that whatever
else happened. Villa proposed to remain
'n III nlary master Of norther2 Mexico.
vlhaistas and the Carranzaistas and
!he report given out of the understand
ing reached between the two factions
e M..r aece've h, no one familiar with the
triumphant revolution. The one thin q
on which all the factions are aereed
however. Is that the army shall dicts to
IRON Mexico City, and that media ton
quietus. AoVe ies
medlators Practically Ignored.
In writing from northern M.x,co r
explained that the mass Of Villas army
and many of his high officers. had never
heard of the mediatinR nowers .nd
cared nothing about South America
countries. The attitude of Carranza
and the educated men who surround
n nun. and who know all about the A. 81.
:. powers, has been almost as CON
temptuous. Only the pressure of the
t nnised states caused Carranza to go
ment Of the constitutionaIist renera1s
oeiore refusing to consent to pro.
had a part. ID
1T, It is for the United States to square
USER with the mediating powers for
the contempt the constitutionalists
nave shown them.
The contemptuous attitude Of Car
rama and the leaders Of ali the mill
.aas .aetions does not necessarily
military government in Mexico which
cannot be recognized by the A r r.
powers. but they propose to 60 about II
IN their own way. subject only to the
States.
1t is most important to Gen. carranza
That what is called the plan of Guada-
loupe be carried out, because this as
supreme chief of the revolution All
the military factions were pledged to
this plan. and Carranza had the hest
OF 1T In the argument when 1t was pro-
posed to substitute some one else
ment among the revolutionary fac
tions.
Villa, however. does not care for areu-
ment where he is strong enough to carry
question that he intended to supplant
Carranza with Gen. Angeles as provi-
| sional president and his purpose was
strengthened by the favor with which
Angeles was received in Washington In
April. while at Chihuahua. I was told
quietly that Angeles was Villas choice
and that Carranza could never have a
look-in at the presidency. This was at
time when Villa was protesting the
there was practically no discussion of
any one else than Carranza for president
Future an Enigma.
No one can venture to guess at the
present time how far Villa and Carranza
will continue to seem to pull together
While Angeles remains as chief of Villa's
artillery. Carranza has thrown him out
Of his. cabinet and has circumscribed his
influence.
Information from along the Rio Grande.
which came to hand within the last
forty eight hours. indicates that it Is
Villas purpose to adopt a policy of
watchful waiting How far he will lead
the army of the north in the movement
against Mexico City can only be con-
]ectured. Those who know Villa, and
who appreciate his strong qualities. real
lie how difficult it would be for him to
be simply division commander. ranking
cooperating with them under orders
from Carranza as general-in-chief. II
the federals. under a competent general,
make a real rally at Queretaro, and a
big battle becomes necessary. Villas help
will be badly needed. But If Cen Obre-
gon is able to move forward from Guada-
lajara with little resistance it may be
that Villa will explain that his aid Is
not necessary and will remain In Chi
huahua.
II anarchy is to be prevented in Mex
| leo City, and an orderly military occu-
patton Is to be secured, Obregon's troops
are the best adapted for that purpose.
There are few bandit chiefs among them,
and the general run of the soldiers of
| Sonora and Sinaloa are superior to the
mass of Villas bandit troops. They
might be more easily restrained from
| loot. although Villas }ron djsc{pIjp> ,,,a,