The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-08-03
NOTES ARE RECEIVED
 FROM BELLIGERENTS
 ON NEUTRAL RIGHTS
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sONA AA4<A/Ao 1Ixex11N V Il kO
 ON NEUTRAL RIGHTS
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 treaty of 1928 between the United States and Prussia has been violated. The note contends that while the treaty of 1928 does confer special privileges and exemptions upon American shipping, these can be met and the right stiIl reserved to sink merchant ships on the undertaking to compensate owners thereafter.
 An answer to the British notes soon will be forthcoming, but predictions are lacking as to the course to be taken in regard to the German note.
 It Is believed the President then was thinking of Pan-American joint &C., ton with regard to Mexico. even to Joint military operations. if necessary.
 At this stage, however, 1t is not be- lieved military operations are being contemplated as a next step. The Latin Americans have been keeping closely Informed of the situation. In fact, the Brazilian minister of Mexico City has been the source to which the United States has turned during the last 18 months for the care of the interests of Americans and foreigners in the distressed capital.
 All the Pan-American governments nave Deen receiving reports Iroh tHelr ministers and consuls. It Is known. however. that if the situation should come to pass where armed force might be necessary to open the rail- road to Mexico City for the protection of the legations and noncombatants, or should an armed occupation be neces- sary as a prelude to restoration of con- stitutional government and election. the South and Central Americas prob ably would receive and welcome an invitation to share the work.
 A Matter of Dispute
 How the factions in Mexico would regard such joint action Is a mat ter of dispute. The suggestion has met with the declaration that some of the South American countries typified the so-oslled "cientifico" element. On the ether hand, leaders have professed to be ready to embrace any peace plan which included as its first object the maintenance of Mexicos territorial sovereignty, free elections and the res- toration of the government to the con stitutional line from which 1t depart ed with the death of Madero and the ascendancy of Huerta.
 The Thursday conference Is the step President Wilson and the cabinet had in mind when few weeks ago state ment was issued to the American peo-
  tended for the information of the Mex ican leaders themselves. This state ment declared in forcefu1 language that the patience of the United States was becoming exhausted with three years of revolution and chaos and that un- less the Mexican leaders themselves found some way to accommodate their differences the United States as Mex ico's next friend and neighbor would be constrained to decide what means should be employed to restore peace.
 When President Wilson went to the summer White House at Cornish N. H., It was expected that nothing would be done until his return. The recent al most kaleidoscopio developments in Mexico City, however, are believed to have influenced the announcement of action at this time.
 Department Disturbed
 The atate department was disturbed to- day by reports that General Villa had driven American and other foreign mer- chants from Chihuahua, conf1scated their property and executed six of their Mexf- can colleagues. American consular agents were called on for immediate reports. Protests came from diplomatic representa- tives of several foreign powers. Colville Barclay, in charge at the British en- bassy in the absence of the ambassador. called at the state department to pro- test against the reported seizure by Villa of property of British subjects and their expulsion from the country. Following his visit Secretary Lansing conferred with Assistant Secretary Breckenridge of Sfic war department and Leon c. Canova, chief of the division of Mexican affairs. Dis patches to American consular officials were the direct result.
 Enrique c. Llorente. Villas Washing ton representative, also conferred with MT Lansing He said he would endeavor to learn the facts from his chief.
 Carranza advisers here are hopeful that the United States soon will recognize a defacto government to be set up in Mexi- co City by Carranza's forces and they have urged him to decisive and imn,e- diate action toward reopening rail and wira communication with the capital, exe- cute prompt and effective relief of the food shortage. establish government in Mexico City and effect a settlement of the money question so that business may be restored. In substance, the forego- ing is the message of advice sent by Carranza's Washington agents. If Car ranza can carry out this programme they believe he will be extended the moral support of the United States and of Latin America, but Secretary Lansing fiatly denied today that plans for the recognition of any government had been considered.
 In a personal message to his agency to- day General Carranza said train loads of provisions were forwarded to Mexico City Sunday and today and that trsins held up along the route several weeks ago had been ordered into the city
 Charles J. O'Connor. Red Cross agent in Mexico City, reported food conditions there as alarmist. stating that some peo- pie were eating weeds, grass. leaves and dead horses and mules.
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