Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-09-11
Gen. Carranza Formally Re-
kcts Invitation to Confer
enee for Pacificati0n.
SAYS HIS ARMY CONTROLS
GREATER PART OF DOMAIN
Offers to Demonstrate His Govern
ment Is Entitled to Recognition
by the Mediating Republics.

VERA CRUZ, September 11.-Gen.
vanustiano Carranza, first chief of the
constitutionalist party, has formally
declined to acquiesce in the invitation
Of the diplomatic representatives of the
United States and the Latin American
countries that he join the leaders of the
various factions in Mexico in an en-
deavor to bring about peace.
The reply of Gen. Carranza, which was
handed to John r. Silliman. President
Wilson's representative in Mexico, yes
terday said that Gen. Carranza could
not consent THAT the interior affairs of
the republic be handled by mediation
or by the initiative of any foreign gov
eminent.
Text of Carranza's Reply.
The text of the reply follows:
.Messrs Misunderstanding informed
Cen Venustiano CarranZa, the nrst
chief of the constitutionalist army, in
charge of the executive power of the
union of your note. which you signed
in your official capacities and addressed
to him under date of August 10 last,
inviting him to conference with the
the Mexican situation and re-establlsh
peace / have seen fit to address your
excellencies, as in fact l have the
honor to do. to inform you in the name
Of the first chief of the constitutional
ist army in charge of the executive
power of the republic that he cannot
consent that the interior affairs of the
republic be handled by mediation or by
any initiative of any foreign govern
ment, inasmuch as all have the right
to respect the inalienable right OF the
sovereignty of nations, and since,
upon the acceptance of the invitation
Of your excellencies, addressed to him,
to attend a conference with the chiefs
Of the rebel factions with view of
returning peace to Mexico, he would
impair profoundly the independence of
the republic and would establish the
precedent of foreign interference in the
determination Of its interior affairs,
this consideration alone sufficing in
prohibiting our government from par
ticipating in the legitimate defense of
the sovereignty of the Mexican people
and of the other American nations.
Inspired Solely by Highest Duties.
Apart from this fundamental reason
there are other reasons which 1 do not
wish to pass without mention. in order
to produce in your minds the intimate
conviction that the conduct of the first
charge Of the executive power of the
nation in this attitude is inspired solely
by the highest duties imposed upon him
by his elevated trust.
II am sure that your excellencies do
not doubt that Mexico is at present in
the throes of a revolution in which it is
proposed to wipe out the last vestige
Of the colonial epoch. as well as all the
errors and abuses of past administra-
O nd iro 4 fn1a
for the welfare and the betterment Of
the Mexican people.
''On the other hand your excellencies
will have been able to observe from the
military chiefs and civil subordinates
of the first chieftaincy chat the first
chief Is the only authority that could
decide and who. in fact, does decide
matters submitted to the consideration
Of the former. who with their replies
have given an eloquent example of
their discipline and solidarity. at the
same time giving evidence that the
Arst chief has known how to preserve
unity within the constitutionalist gov
eminent. Notwithstanding the prolon-
cation Of the strife and in spite of the
ignob1e and repeated intrigues of our
enemies for the relaxation of discipline
in the constitutionalist army, and their
attempts to corrupt its principal chiefs.
The first chief. in consequence. bears
the immense responsibility of the real
ization of the national ambitions and
he cannot by means of any dealings
endanger the fate of the country nor
permit the enemies of the cause which
he represents to participate directly
In the government.
Nor does he believe it just nor wise
to bring to naught the results of the
blood spilled on the republics soil by
following the course which your ex-
cellencies courteously and disinterest-
edly indicate to him. but which he
considers erroneous in view of the
teachings of our own experience.
Alleges Cause of Madero Failure.
itiated by Don Francisco l. Madero,
was not able to fulfill its object be-
cause of the pact made at Juarez with
the old regime. The treaties there en-
tered into left the enemies of the peo-
PIE still footing and were one of the
principal causes of the tragic events of
February, 1913, of which your excel
1encies are no doubt cogniZant, and in
the Vaccinations of which not a small
part was taken by certain foreign
ministers accredited to the government
of Mexico.
Upon the assassination of President
Madero and the contamination of one
Of the most infamous treacheries re-
corded In our history the first chief
of the constitutionalist army, who was
then constitutional governor of the
State Of Coahuila. assumed the atti-
tude that he should assume, accord
ing to the constitution, by refusing
TO recognize Gen. Victoriano Huerta
as chief of the executive power
and addressing call to the governors
Of the other states and to the chiefs in
command of the forces to second his
attitude to the end Of liberating the
people from the hated dictatorship of
the usurper of the public power
THE people responded with en-
thusiasm to his call and the strife
vas long and sanguinary. Constitu-
tionaiism. headed by the first chief,
overcame the usurper. who commanded
the greatest army which the republic
had had up to that time.
Charge of Bribery.
But when this brilliant triumph was
contaminated the reactionaries had
bribed one of the constitutionalist gen
erals. Francisco villa, who came forth
as the chief of new reactionary
movement. taking advantage of the
powerful elements which had been in
trusted to him by the first chief and
being supported principally by those
III NV