The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-01-03
TRICKYVILLAAID.
MAY FORCE u. S.
ARMY T0ACTION
Gen. Scott in Wire to Wilson
Said to Urge End of
Dallying.
CONFERENCES HELD AT
CAPITAL OVER AFFAIR

WASHINGTON. Ian. 1.-THE Admins
tration seems 10 be on the point Of
taking decisive action in regard 10 the
Mexican border situation, particularly
at Naco. Ariz
Though Brig. Gen. Scott has been At
Naco for two weeks trying TO bring the
opposing Mexican commanders 20 a
satisfactory agreement which will in
sure the safety Of American life and
property on the border. he has been able
to obtain only temporary ameliora-
ton of the situation. II is understood
the time has come when the United
States should say to the two factions
that they must either reach an agree
ment among themselves for preserving
the neutrality of the border or else
face the certainty OF retaliation from
the United states the next time Mexi.
can bullets are fired across the line.
| A long despatch was .eceived at the
War Department to-day from Gen.
Scott. Immediately following the re-
Ceipt of this message there were con-
fercnces between officials of the War
and State departments. The message
was communicated to the President and
| Secretary of war Garrison. The latter
telegraphed from Atlantic City that he
would return to Washington at once II
the President wished to discuss the
border issue with him. but was informed
! that tile President did not think It
necessary. He will be back in Washing
! ton tomorrow night
villa Agent Called In.
, Another element was brought into the
situation here late to-day when Enrique
Llorente, Washington agent OF villa and
Gutierrez. had a conference with Acti nR
Secretary of War Breckenridge. II is said
that Llorente was sent for 1; is not the
custom for these Mexican agents to cal
on Secretaries or Acting Secretaries un'
less invited. The impression prevails to-
night that Llorente's aid was asked tc
! bring pressure on the Villa commander n
Naco, Gen. Maytorena, with a view 10 in.
duc!ng him TO look at the situation In j
more reasonable manner.
Following his conference with NJ
Brecklnridge Ilorente insisted that the
outlook for the establishment OF neutrd
zone along the border was never more
bright than now and that all concerned
were convinced that the situation soor
would be amicably adjusted.
| While Gen. Scott succeeded soon artei
his arrival at Naco two weeks ago IN
| inducing Maytorena to move six or eigh
| miles south of the border, Maytorena also
/ gave repeated assurances that he would
/ make an agreement with Gen. liill, only
to raise new objections at the last mo-
/ ment
What is desired Is that Maytorena
move away from Naco and permit Hill
to take his forces to Aqua Prieta, on the
border. opposite Douglas, Ariz Hill Is
willing to sign the agreement. but May
torena objects 10 letting Hill walk away
unmolcstcd
End Not In sight.
The discussions between Gen Scott and
Maytorena and his associates have con-
tinued along these lines for moro thar
two weeks with no conclusion in sight
Gen Scott, Il Is believed. has now reache,
tho decision that the United States
ought not to daily with Maytorena any
longer but should give him his choice OF
reaching an amicable agreement with Hi
or accepting the danger OF being nred oil
by American troops the next time any
bullets from his forces fall on Ameri
can soil.
while the President has been reluctant
ever since the casualties at Naco begar
to take any such positive stand with re
Gard to tho firing. It Is understood he hai
now reached the conclusion that some
! h. 10 American hOr
= der towns are 10 be protected
Minor officials In both the War ant
State departments are unanimous in agree
ing with Gen Scott than az II seems hope
less to get the Mexcans TO reach a.
agreement the only thing left Is I
; threaten TO use force if Ehe border IL agai
violated. This view has been urge
strongly on the President.
| The lafter's reluctance arises larRel
from fear that while the situation war
rants such action, II might force tn
United States 10 make good threat an
possibly precipEate border war wh1c
might lead to realization OF the country
total lack OF sympathy for the Admins
trative action In the direction OF protect
ing American rights
Fighting More General.
{ Each days dispatches 10 the State De
! | pa rtmcnt show the situation Throughout
: Mexico more and more chaotic Fightn
Is now general throughout many paris q
D the country, while the activity OF bandit
is more widespread than ever
% Most interest attaches at present to IN
reassembled convention which put Gu
Z tierrez In tho Presidency which met agai
I at Mexico city yesterday.
! The development OF split which
= has been predicted would attend the re
sumed meetings OF the convention wa
Indicated by a dispute as to the numbe