Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1915-08-03
Representatives of Six Re
pubhcs Are Invited to a
Conference on Mexico.
Invitation Is Considered the
First Step in Solution
Of the Muddle.

Washington, Aug. 3.-When the
three South American ambassadors
and three ranking Latin ministers
meet with Secretary Lansing Thurs
day 90 hear President Wilson's plan
to ask the cooperation of their coun-
tries for restoring peace to Mexico,
course of action will be outlined
which all Latin-America viii be asked
TO approve.
II contemplates the restoration of
constitutional government without
the use Of force. if possible. but has
in view Joint action of all the Ameri-
cas-. if necessary.
Plans Kept Secret
Although all officials surround the
conference with greatest secrecy. and
Secretary Lansing said today that
possibly no announcement might be
made afterward, it is known that one
Of the first elements is an embargo
on arms from all Latiu-America to
Mexico. Central and South America
and Cuba, as we'll, will be asked 10
close their ports to war materials
which provided the means for fac
toual leaders in Mexico to continue
their campaigns.
The president is not committed to
details of any plan, but will invite
suggestions from the American
diplomats. to open the way to a com
mon ground
Great Interest in Conference.
Washington. D. G., Aug. 3.-An-
uouncement that the United States
had asked the cooperation Of South
and Central America in an effort to
settle the Mexican difficulty caused
Widespread interest today in official
and diplomatic circles. A conference
on the subject will be held here Thurs
day afternoon between Secretary
Lansing and the diplomatic representa-
Uves O fsix of the leading Latin-Ameri-
can nations
While there had been no expectation
of any action by this government on
the Mexican situation ending Presi-
dent Wilson's return from Cornish, y.
H. recent developments in Mexico,
particularly in Mexico City, are be
leved to have prompted the admins
those steps viii he and how far the
jojnr action. Of whatever sort it may
be between the United States and the
Fan-Americau group, will extend, were
subjects of considerable speculation
here today.
Mexican Leaders Fail.
The conference is the direct result
@ the allure of the Mexican factoual
leaders to heed President Wilson's re
cent statement urging them TO com
pose their differences and restore
peace in the southern republic.
The conference will be of an in
formal and confidential nature. It
was believed here by those who have
been most closely following the Mexi-
can situation, however. that there
would be some sort of joint Pan-Ameri-
can action. even to joint military ac-
ton III necessary. Attention was direct
ed 10 utterauces by the president in
which he had spoken Of mutual help
fitness" between the United States and
the other American republics, and this
gave rise to the belief that he had been
thinking for some time past Of joint
Faa-Amertcan action in Mexico. II is
not believed, however, that military
operations are being contemplated IS
next step.
It was recalled also that President
Wilson a year ago accepted very gladly
the "sood Offices" extended by the rep
resentauves here of Brazil Argentina
snd Chile. which led to the Mexican
mediation conference al Niagara Fails.
These representatives of the A. B. {.
powers with the ministers from Bo-
EYia, Uruguay and Guatemala. are the
Psn-Amertcan representatives invited
70 Thursdays conference