Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1915-04-02
Villa Zapata Government
Readily Agrees to Such Sug-
gestion Made by Washing
ton Representations,
SOLUTION OF PROBLEM
NOW UP TO CARRANZA
Such Agreement Would Pre-
vent Likelihood of Interven-
ton by United States or
Other Foreign Power,

lay MORNING. JOURNAL SPECIAL LrArrp wiRui
Washington, April with the
hope of securing permanent protec-
ton for the 25,000 foreigners in Mex
leo City, the United States govern
ment has proposed to the Vila-Zapa-
IA forces and to General Carranza
that the Mexican capital be declared
neutral and outside the field of oper-
ations hereafter In Mexico's civil war,
The Villa-zapata forces have agreed
to the proposal and are willing to
evacuate the city as soon as q similar
agreement is obtained with the Car
ranza authorities who are now being
negotiated with.
on General Carran2a depends also
whether or not the effort of the Unit
ed States to neutralize the railway
between Mexico City and Vera Cruz
shall succeed. as. the Villa-Iapata Of
ficials have likewise given their as
sent to this proposal.
Plan for Capital Control.
State department officials decline to
discuss the status of the two propo-
sails beyond saying that they still
were under consideration. The plan
with respect to Mexico City contem-
plates an arrangement whereby order
would be maintained there by local
council, made up Of prominent resi-
dents selected by mutual agreement
between the opposing factions. The
capital would not then, under the
terms OF the proposed agreement, be
subject to further attacks, nor would
there he any more changes in govern
ment until central government had
been established.
Washington Encouraged.
Officials and diplomats here who
are eonversant with the details Of the
plan are much encouraged by the
prompt acceptance given to it by the
Villa-Zapata authorities and are now
hopeful that General Carranza can be
persuaded to do likewise. Duval
West. personal representative of Pres
ident Wilson who, il is understood,
will confer with General Carranza at
Vera Cruz in the next few days on
the Mexican situation in general, pro-
baby will assist American Consuls
Sillman and Canada in their efforts
to secure Carranza's s approval Later,
it is understood, Mr. West will go to
Mexico City to talk with the Brazilian
minister concerning Che situation.
should Appeal 10 Factions.
Should the capital be declared neu-
tral much of the apprehension for the
safety of foreigners would be remov-
ed and the famine menace eliminated.
Since such a step would lessen the
likelihood of complication with for
eign powers the plan, in the opinion
of American officials, should appeal
to all Mexican factions.
No important engagements were re-
ported to the Washington authorities
from any source today, dispatches
saying that comparative quiet pre-
vailed along the border and that the
Mexico City situation was unchanged.
Tax Problem Complicated.
The Brazilian minister at the capt.
tai advised the state department that
taxes on mining property in lower
California We're payable at the capital
or at Chihuahua, money deposited In
any American bank to the order Of
the treasurer-general of the defacto
government being acceptable for that
purpose The department had in
quired If Governor Cantu I of lower
California was subject to the orders
of the Mexico City government, vari-
Gus owners of American mines there
having been puzzled as to how to
meet their tax obligations because of
confused conditions in Mexico The
status of Governor Cantu was not de-
fined in the reply.
Minor Merriweather, the young
American arrested by Villa officials
on charge of counterfeiting and who
was later released, has complained
that his personal effects and the
money which caused his arrest were
confiscated. Merriweather entered
the territory controlled by Villa car
rying considerable amount of So |
called Monelovo currency used by
Carranza supporters, which the villa
Officials require to be revalidated. |
Merriweather asserted that this was
done on written order of General An
geles.