The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1915-02-20
TANGLE IN MEXICAN AFFAIRS,
ONLY CARRANZA HAS DIPLO.
MATIC AUTHORITY.
American Consular Agents Can Only
Reach Government by Going to
Vera Cruz-PrOblcm Hard to Solve


fetal message has been received to.
day at the State department or the
Spanish embassy here as to the Span
ish governments attitude towards
Gen. Carranzas expulsion of it's mr.
lister from Mexico. press dispatches
FROM Madrid indicating that the mat
ter would be adjusted through diplo-
matte channels were credited by Of
ficials.
Another action of the Carranza gov
ernment which may cause further
complications for the Mexico City
diplomatic corps was taken today in
the announcement that Gen. Carranza
personally is solely authorized to re-
ceive and pass on diplomatic COM
missions This may seriously affect the
diplomatic activity of American con-
sular agents instructed to deal with
the defacto authorities.
The order apparently will make Il
impossible for diplomatic representa-
tives to deal with the Carranza gov
ernment except by going to Vera Cruz,
which they have been unwilling to do
les. such action be construed as for
NAL recognition.
Reports OF an appeal by Spain for
joint action in Mexico We're not re-
garded here as accurate. Officials
pointed out the Spanish government
probably would consult the United
States before taking such q step.
On account Of tn severe censor
ship established at Vera Cruz by Gen.
Carranza little news of the difficult
tics Of foreign consuls and dip,o-
mats has been permitted to reach the
United States. 1t has just been au-
thoritatively learned, however, that
for some time barely courteous re!a-
tions have been maintained between
Carranza and the consuls Of Spain and
Great Britain at Vera Cruz. Both The
consuls incurred Carranza's displeas-
ure because of their persistency IN
calling to his attention what they con-
sidered unjust aggression on foreign
property
The American consul at Vera Cruz
w. II. Canada, recently was instructed
to point out that continuation of
the policy Of executing Spaniards
would be regarded with keen dis
pleasure by the United States, which
would place personal responsibility on
Carranza.
Carranza's latest decree concerning
foreign diplomatic representations was
revealed today in a telegram from
Rafael Zubaran Capmany, minister Of
the interior, to Eliseo Arrenondo, To-
cal representative OF Carranza, which
said:
THE first chief Of the constitu-
tionalist army has been apprised that
persons Of diverse nationalities styling
themselves confidential or consular
agents of foreign governments, with
out really being so. and other persons
styling themselves representatives of
foreign colonies or large foreign in
terests, established in Mexico pre-
tend to make representations address
communications and treat directly
ABOUT matters Of an international
character with different leaders of the
constitutionalist army.
This tends TO disrupt unity in the
constitutionalist government and to
belittle the authority of the first chief.
1T is the purpose of this government
20 comply with its international duties,
affording just protection under the
laws to all foreign persons and in
terests and this can only be done
properly through the appropriate au-
thorities.
Military leaders before whom such
representations may be made must
conilne themselves to informing the
representatives Of foreigners that they
should take matters up directly with
the first chief Of the constitutionahst
army"
Gen. Villas Washington agency to-
night gave out message from the
northern chieftain describing the
capture Of Guadalajara, second larG-
est city in Mexico.
villa reported he was pursuing the
enemy, which had been engaged again
at Bajacuran.
In the state of San Luis Potosi Villa
reported his troops under Col. Scr
rabia defeated 1000 men under Gen.
Acosta.
DUTY WITH NAVAL MILITIA.