Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1915-04-02
Has Sent Proposals to the viIIa-Zapata Forces and
to General Carranza
TO SECURE PROTECTION FOR 25, 900 FOREIGNERS
The VZapaa Forces Have Agreed the Proposal and
Willing Evacuate the City Soon Similar Agree
Also Proposed to Neutralze the Railway Between Mex
leo City and Vera Cruz.

Washington, April with the
ton for the $4,000 foreigners in Mexi-
co City, the United States government
has proposed to the Villa-Zapata fore
es and to General Carranza that the
Mexican capital be declared neutral
and outside the field of operations
hereafter in MeXico's civil war.
Villa Zapata Forces Agree.
The VilIa-Zapata forces have agreed
to the proposal and are willing to
evacuate>the city as sOnO as a SINH
lar agreement is obtained with the
Carranza authorities, who are now be-
ing negotiated with
On General Carranza. depends al
SO whether or not the effort of the
effort Of the United States to neutra-
lize the railway between Mexico City
and Vera Cruz shall succeed, as the
Villa-Zapata officials have likewise
given their assent to this proposal.
How Order Would be Maintained.
State department officials declined
to discuss the status of the two pro-
pOSalS beyond saying that they still
were under consideration. The plan
with respect ITO Mexico City contem-
plates an arrangement whereby order
| would be maintained by local coun-
ell made up of prominent residents
SoIeCleu ny mutual agreement between
| the opposing factions. The capital
would not then, under the terms of
| the proposed agreement be subject to
eurther attacks nor would there be
any more changes in government until
| b. central government had been es-
| tablished.
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 a-Zapata authorities and now
hope that General Carranzs can be
| persuaded to do likewise. Duval
! West. personal representative OF
President Wilson. who is expected tC
| confer with General Carranza in the
i next few days on the Mexican situa-
tion in general, probably will assist
American Consuls Silliman and Can
za's approval Later, it is understood
Mr.. West will go to Mexico City to
! talk with the Brazilian minister
concerning the situation.
| Should the capital be declared neu-
trail, much of the apprehension for
| the safety of foreigners would be re-
moved and the famine menace elm
| mated. Since such a step would less
! en- the likelihood of competition with
! foreign powers, the plan, in the opin-
ion of American officials. should ap-
peal to all Mexican factions.
No Important Engagements.
No important enga agements between
the Villa and Carranza forces was
| reported to the Washington authori
ties from any source today, dispatches
saying that comparative quiet prevail
ed along the border and that the Mex.
leo City situation was unchanged.
Villa Forces March on Lampazos.
Laredo, Texas, April Am officia
message received today in Nuevo La
redo, Carranza garrison opposite here
said Villa forces numbering 5000 were
marching on Lampazos, south of here
to attack Carranza troops there, es-
timated at 1000. The message added
the Villa troops yesterday defeated
their opponents at Candida, a min
inging town 20 miles southwest O.