Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-08-24
Torreon Battle May Decide
Fate of Each Leader and
Peace Note Plans.
SHOULD CARRANZA WIN,
RECOGNITION is POSSIBLE
Northern Chief Prepares to Wage
Guerrilla Warfare Against the
Constitutionalists.

The selection of any particular per-
son for provisional president of Mexi-
co has not been considered by the gov
ernment of the United States. it was Of
ficially announced at the State Depart
ment today.
While the statement was unaccom-
panied by any interpretation. it was
construed as reiteration of the i'm
partiality of the United States in deal
ing with the various factions, and as
an added evidence of it's sincere disin-
terestedness no matter who is chosen
provisional president of Mexico SO long
as he is legally eligible and can bring
about peace
The departments statement was as
follows:
ITO correct an erroneous impression
that appears to prevail in certain quar-
ters. the department wishes to announce
that the selection of any particular man
for provisional president of Mexico has
not been considered by this government"
Mexican Chiefs Suggested.
At the time the pan-American note
urging the Mexican chiefs to get together
in a peace conference was dispatched. the
names of various Mexicans were suggested
in newspapers in this country as possible
candidates for provisional president Of
Mexico, who would receive the support of
the United States and the Latin American
republics, after the military chiefs had
been eliminated.
1t is believed that the statement of to-
day is intended to reach the Mexican
people for the purpose of dispelling any
idea that the United States desires to
force any particular man upon them as
president
Gen. Carranza's reply to the pan-Amer-
lean note is still awaited here. 1t was re-
ported that Carranza had telegraphed Sec
retary Lansing and the Latin American
diplomats asking if they, in addressing
themselves to the military chiefs and
political leaders in Mexico, were acting
officially for their respective governments
Confirmation of this report was lacking.
Villa and obregon Battle.
Conflicting reports regarding the
fighting in progress between the Car
rama and Villa forces in the neigh
borhood of Torreon were given out by
the agencies of the two factions in
Washington. The State Department
was without definite information from
official sources regarding the outcome
That much depends upon the result
of the struggle going on about Tor
reon Is admitted. II the Carranza
forces are able to strike decisive
blow at Villa there the question of
recognition of the Carranza govern
ment will loom up stronger. Should
the Villistas defeat the constitutional
ist forces under Gen. Obregon, the sit
uation would shift in favor of the
peace plan advocated by the pan
American note sent to all Mexican
leaders
Dispatches received by the Carranza
agency indicate that Gen. Villa is sepa-
rating his command into small bodies
of troops and preparing to wage
guerrilla war. sweeping the surround
ing country of all its supplies and val
liable property.
The Carranza officials hold that this
plan indicates Villa is not strong
enough to attempt to give battle to
Obregon and his troops. and that the
adoption of guerrilla method of war
fare, while it may cause delay in the
ultimate success of Carranza arms. can
not long prevent triumph of the con-
stitutional cause. They insist that Cen
Obregon has in the northern territory
some $4,000 troops upon whom he may
call for his attack upon the Villistas.
Villistas' Statement.
The Villa agency here issued state
ment today, saying it had received de-
tails of the fighting recently at lea
mole. which shows the Carranza forces
suffered a severe defeat and sustained
heavy losses. The railroad between
Laredo and Monterey had been cut, the
statement added.
The agency issued the following
statement as to territory controlled by
the rival factions:
Two states, Chihuahua and Morelos,
are entirely under control of the con-
vention (Villa) forces. oaxaca is neu-
trail Forces of both factions are con-
tending in all other states Of the re-
public and it is absurd for any one to
claim control of Them
The Washington government is still
maintaining waiting policy with re-
gard to Mexico, waiting, in this in
stance, upon the replies to the pan
American note urging a peace confer
ence. Secretary Lansing of the State
Department said today that so far no
plans had yet been made for another
meeting of the conferees who signed
the pan American note.
Senior Cardoso Is Entertained.
Senior Cardoso, the Brazilian minister to
Mexico, who for many months had charge
of American interests in Mexico City, had
long conference yesterday afternoon
with Secretary Lansing on the situation
in Mexico. 1t is understood that he told
Secretary Lansing that Carranza was not
fitted to govern Mexico. and that the Car
ranza forces would not be able to main
tain strong government over the terri
tory which they now hold for a long
period.
Last night Senior Cardoso was the guest
Of honor at a dinner given by Secretary
Lansing. The other guests included Am
bassador da Cana of Brazil. high officials
of the American government and officers
of the army and navy. The grape juice
Of the Bryan period as Secretary of State
was omitted. and wines such as have Gus
| tornarily been served at dinners given by
the Secretary of State in the past were
set out for the guests.
Senior CardoSo today visited the tomb
Of Washington, at Mount Vernon.
Quiet at Vera Cruz.
Rear Admiral Mclean. commanding
American naval forces in Mexican wa
| ters, sent a long wireless report to the
Navy Department yesterday on condi-
| tions at Vera Cruz. He said no further
anti-foreign demonstrations had oc-
CURED since the arrival of the battle
ships Louisiana and New Hampshire
The Carranza agency here last pjpht