Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-09-11
.FUNSTON'S TROOPS
HAVE UPPER HAND
Able to Control Situation on
the Mexican Border,
He Reports.
SEE A HOPE OF PEACE
IN REPLY OF CARRANZA
Officials Here Encouraged by His
Willingness to Discuss Tn
ternationaw Questions.


With Gen. Carranza S reply to
the pan-American peace proposals
for Mexico at last on its way to
Washington, and statement by
Secretary Lansing today that the
peace conference which has been
proposed is almost sure to be
held, Washington officials were
eratihed to note another encour-
aging feature in the Mexican sit
uation. Maj. Gen. Funston re-
ported that the border situation
now is under full control OF
United States troops.
The refusal of Carranza. noted in
dispatches from Vera Cruz containing
tions in Mexico, out the consent noted
to discuss "internationaP' questions
leaves a loophole out of which, 1t was
said in Washington today, much good
may come.
May Bring About Peace.
If carranza names delegates to the
conference, and they participate with
in the discussions to be held. way
for peace in Mexico may be had. The
text of Carranzh's note will be found
in another column of The Star.
Gen. Funston reported that with the
forces now under his command. he
could patrol the entire Rio Grande
river front from Laredo to the gulf.
1T is believed" Gen: Funston's mes.
my command. it will be possible. in
the course of short time, largely to
reduce if not prevent the activities OF
armed bands who may be either the
or outlaws and horse thieves from
American side.
Escape Across Border.
'It is well established that hereto
fore many individuals COMPOSING ban
dit bands. who have given US so much
trouble. have been made up Of rSfsohs
crossing from the Mexican side and
getting arms from conceded stores
on the American side and have then
started on prearranged raids. When
and hard pressed either BY
bands have broken and recrossed into
Mexico"
Americans Release Demanded.
Information on the kidnapping of John
Lowenbruck, an American ranchman,
who was carried across the border from
Columbus. n. Mex, and held for a ram
som of $4,000. was first communicated
to the War Department yesterday, and
after a conference between Acting Sec
retary of War Breckinridge and Secre-
tary Lansing. representations were sent
to Gen. villa, demanding that the
ranchman be released. Columbus is
about a hundred miles west of Ell Paso,
Tex, bordering on the state of Chihua-
hua, which is under Gen. Villas con-
troll.
Gen; carranza's rsjection-of the pan
American appeal for a peace confer
ence in Mexico, and his counter pro-
posal for meeting with the diplomats
at some point along the Rio Grande to
discuss Mexican affairs "solely from an
International point of view," will be
considered by Secretary Lansing and
the other conferees at meeting to take
place in Washington within the next
few days. 1t was suggested today that
II the diplomats accepted Carranza's
might be deferred until after meeting
with the first chief on international
phases Of the situation.
May Accept Proposal.
1t was suggested here today that Car
ranza's proposal probably would be ac-
cepted. as possibly opening the way to
a discussion through which an agree
ment for the settlement of the repub-
lies affairs might be reached.
The text Of Carranza's long deferred
heply, submitted to Consul Silliman
at Vera Cruz yesterday, caused no sur
prise in Washington. 1t had been
known here for long time that Car
ranze would reject the offer of the pam
American diplomats. and intimations
had been circulated that ne would make
a counter proposal.
1t was pointed out here today that il
the CarranZa suggestion was accepted
the question of the establishment of
might be discussed as an international
question at the meeting because practi-
cally all world powers have interests
In the republic and are eager to have
the long years of turbulence there
brought to an end.
Other Subjects for Discussion.
Other subjects for discussion at such
a meeting would be claims of foreign
governments growing out of the Mex
ican revolution. and the ability of the
Carranza administration to protect
lives and property of foreigners.
The appeal to the Mexican leaders
was signed by Secretary Lansing and
the diplomatic representatives of
Brazil, Chile, Argentina. Bolivia, Uru-
quay and Guatemala at a meeting IN
New York August II. 1t petitioned all
the factional chiefs. in the name of
humanity and national patriotism, to
quit their civil strife and assemble a
peace conference.
Carranzas generals informed the
conferees 'nae ..s. sns appsai. had been
Villa and several other factional lead
ers however. agreed to the conference.
CLASH OF LEADERS PROBABLE.