The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1915-04-10
SEEK SAFETY ZONE
American Government Wants
City of Mexico Declared
Neutral Territory.
TO PROTECT ALL FOREIGNERS
VIIIa-Zapata Forces Agree to the Pro
PosaI and ConsuIs are Talking
to Gen. Carranza Now.

Washington, April with the hope
of obtaining permanent protection for
the twenty-five thousand foreigners in
the City of Mexico, the United States
government has proposed to the Villa
Zapata forces and to General Carranza
that the Mexican capital be declared
neutral and outside the field of opera
tiOns hereafter in Mexico's civil war
The VilIa-Zapata forces have agreed
to the proposal and are willing to evac-
uate the city as soon as similar
agreement is obtained with the Car
rama authorities, who are now being
negotiated with.
On General Carranza depends also
whether or not the efforts of the
United States to neutralize the rail-
way between the City of Mexico and
Vera Cruz shall succeed. as the Villa
Zapata officials have likewise given
their assent to this proposal
State Department officials decline
to discuss the status of the two pro-
pOsals beyond saying that they still
were under consideration.
Officials and diplomatists here who
are conversant with the details of the
plan are much encouraged by the
prompt acceptance given to it by the
Villa-Zapata authorities and are hope
full that General Carranza can be per
suaded to do likewise DuvaI West,
personal representative Of President
Wilson, who, it is understood, will con-
fer with General Carranza at Vera
Cruz in the next few days, probably
will assist American Consuls Silliman
and Canada in their efforts to secure
CarranZa's approval.
Should the capital be declared neu-
trail, much Of the apprehension for the
safety for foreigners would be remoy-
ed and the famine menace eliminated
Since such a step would lessen the
likelihood of complication with for
eifn powers, the plan, in the opinion
of American officials, should appeal to
all Mexican factions.
carranza Got the Loot
Washington, April IAN official
statement by the Villa-Zapata conven-
ton government in the City of Mexico
received today by the State Depart
ment charged that Carranza officials
during their occupancy of the capital
government bonds and other securi-
ties valued at IS million pesos q mil
lion dollars).
The authorities at the City Of Mex
leo have asked the depositOrs to fur
nish duplicates of their receipts, in or
der that the securities may be recov-
cred from any third party in whose
hands they may be found.
Major General Funston, now in per
sonal command OF the American
forces at Brownsville, Tex, reported
today that all was quiet across the
border at Matamoros, where a Villa
force is preparing to renew its attack
upon the CarTanza garrison.
The payment of 10000 pesos, or
$4,000 in gold at the prevailing rate
of exchange in the City Of Mexico, to
Mrs. Ruth McManus, widow of John
B. McManus, the American dairy pro-
prietor killed by Zapata troopers on
their re-occUpation of the city, was Of
fcially reported to the State Depart
ment today by the Brazilian minister
in charge of American affairs in the
Mexican capital
Mrs. McManus, who received the
money in person from representatives
Of the Villa-Zapata government, sent
the following message to the depart
ment:
4 wish to extend to you, for myself
and family. our sincere thanks for
your efforts in obtaining indemnity
from the government and also express
my appreciation Of the great courtesy
and personal interest shown by Mr..
Cardoso, the Brazilian minister
Battle Is Certain.
Washington, March 31.-While the
Villa forces are marking time in their
attack on MatamOros, awaiting the ar
rival OF artillery, the stage is being set
for another battle at LampazOs, about
seventy miles southwest of NuevO
Laredo.
On the American side a dozen guns
from the Third Field Artillery are
ready for any emergency Secretary
Garrison said the instructions sent to
General Funston were similar to those
given when bullets and shells fell on
the American side during the fighting
at Naco. The secretary refused to say,
however, whether orders had been
given to return the fire If the same
thing happened at Brownsville
The State Department had only
heager advices from the City Of Mex
leo today.