The Washington times., 1915-08-24
Official Announcement Arouses
Widespread Interest in Rival
Juntas in Washington.
CARRANZA MARKING TIME
Much Will Depend on Outcome
Of Military Engagements
With villa Forces.

Interpreted in Latin-American quar-
ters as a last attempt to get General
venustiano Carranza to enter into peace
negotiations along the line suggested
by the United States and the Pan
American Conference. the State De-
partment today issued brief statement
denying that this Government has
picked any man for provisional presi-
dent Of Mexico.
The announcement. which aroused
widespread interest at the rival Mexican
juntas. reads as follows:
ITO correct an erroneous impression
that appears to prevail In certain
quarters the Department wishes to an.
nounce that the selection Of any particu-
lar man for provisional president Of
Mexico has not been considered by this
Government.
Two Objects In View.
Although officials of the department
refused to discuss the purpose Of the
announcement any further, It Is under
stood to have the two-fold object Of re-
moving the evident impression among
Carranza's generals that the United
States and the other governments con-
cerned In the Pan-American conference
are prepared to dictate who the next
President Of Mexico shall be. and, sec
ondly, to leave the way open. II the
opposition against Carranza finally COL
lapses. for the United States. as a last
resort. to recognize Carranza.
In the meantime. there is no evidence
here as to when Carranza will reply
to the Pan-American appeal. The United
State having determined the ten-day
period allowed for responses shall date
from the time when the last copy of
has plenty Of time to determine his
course. All indications are that the
first chief, bolstered up by the profess
sions Of allegiance by all Of HIS gen.
erals, will reject the offers Of the out
side powers to mediate.
Depends On Fighting.
Much. it is believed. will depend on
the military developments during the
present week. The rival Mexican
agencies here are going to extremes in
their claims regarding the outcome of
the fghting at Icamole, near Monterey.
So signal was the defeat Of Villa. the
Carranza agency declares. that Villa,
IN desperation. has disbanded his troops
into guerrilla bands for the purpose of
prolonging the struggle. According to
tho villa agency. the Carranzistas
practically were routed, and the Villa
orous drive southwark.
Tho only ohcial information which
this Government had to give out to-
DAY. aside from the announcement of
received at the War Department from
Major General Funston, commanding
the border forces. confirming the re-
port Of brush between the American
m trnl M =
ers near Lochiel. The report. dated
last night read as follows:
Following received today from COM
manding officer Second Cavalry bri-
on Sunday by Mexican renegades. fire
returned. no casualties. Mexican COM
mander has given assurances Of no
FUNSTON"
Caffanzistas' Statement.
The Carranza agency gave out the
following:
THE confidential agency Of the con-
stitutionaiist government of Mexico is
in receipt of a dispatch from its consul
at Ell Phso which predicts the breaking
up Of Villas army into small raiding
bands. 1t Is suggested that this change
forces are now 80 depleted as to make
impossible the defense of Torreon
against the onrush of General Obre-
CONS superior force. Consul Garcia 8
dispatch SAYS:
Following the recent occupation of
Durango by the constitutiopalists and
in view OF their steady movement
northward. Villa has announced the In
tention of scattering his troops in small
guerrilla bands. as he realizes his in
ability to oppose Obregon's overwhelm-
ing army Villa plans to resume the
raids which characterized his method
Of fighting in former days. He is not
fortifying Torreon. but Is concentrat-
ing troops and strengthening the Canon
Of Picardias. about fifty miles south of
Torreon."