Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-12-20
j. s. WILL ACCORD
IMMUNITY TO VILLA

Zen. Francisco tfua may enter tne
United States and receive the Immunity
accorded a political refugee. For the
State Department the War Department
transmitted this information to Gen.
Funston last night for transmission to
Villa or his representatives.
Agents of the State Department had
informed the State Department that
men representing themselves as in
termediaries had requested immunity
from arrest. adding that If this was
given they believed Villa would aban-
don the fight against Carranza, and
retire to private life in the United
States.
Would End Revolution.
The State Department does not con-
ceal it's anxiety to bring about the
elimination of villa. for it Is regarded
here as almost certain that without
him the revolution in the north will
fall to pieces.
This, in effect, was the assurance
given by the Intermediates. who said
the plan was for the retirement from
the field of the entire Villa army.
Much interest is displayed by officials
here as to Villas acceptance of the
promise of immunity as a political ref
ugee. That assurance does not protect
him from prosecution within the Unit
ed States on charges of an ordinary
character. This government. it Is said.
has nothing on which charge will be
brought against Villa, but 1t is said
that at Ell Paso local officials have in
formation tending to show irregulari
ties in cattle deals in which Villa was
involved, that might be made the basis
Of prosecution.
Orders Church Property Protected.
Church buildings and other church
property in Mexico are not to be in
terfered with in any manner. accord
ing to advices received today by the
the Carranza government: According
to cabled information from Mexico
City, Gen. Carranza has notified the
governors of all Mexican states that
they shall not interfere in any way
with the disposition, or the present or
prospective uses of. buildings or other
property used by the church. as title
to and control of such properties vest
solely in the national government
The various governors are required in
the order to make complete reports to
the national government within thirty
days of the disposition Of all so-called
church properties in their jurisdictions.
1t was stated today, at the confden-
leading daily newspaper of Mexico City.
yesterday morning gave notice that it
had ceased the publication of bullhght
advertisements, and will hereafter pub
lish no advertisements of amusements
or of commodities. which 1t considers
detrimental to the welfare the peo-
pie.
Arranging for Villas Coming.
Ell PASO. Tex, December e0.-Final
ARRANGEMENTS for Gen. Francisco Villa
to enter the United States. ending his
participation in Mexican affairs, were
to be made here at noon, according to
information from authentic sources.
PREPARATION to this end were begun
upon receipt of Secretary Lansing's de-
cision that Villa would be accorded
asylum as a political refugee.
Whether, IL villa entered the United
States, he would be subjected to legal
proceedings seeking his extradition to
Mexico, was said to hinge on the atti-
tude of Gen. Carranza. head of the de
facto Mexican government. This ques-
tion was understood to have been sub
mitted to Carranza yesterday and a
reply was expected today.
ton Of villa from Mexican affairs was
sent to Secretary Lansing and Gen.
Carranza after secret conference of
United States military. state and city
officials with OF Car
RAMA and Villa. Among the confe-ees
the opinion was expressed that the i'm
portance of Villas elimination over
shadowed the retention of the right to
prosecute him on charges that ordi-
r lrily would be Of serious nature.
In local circles it was believed that
in return for Immunity a new leader
would be selected to head the Villa
Roynrnment The leader proposed was
Understood to be Gov. Avila Of Chi
huahua.