Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-08-28
Secretary Lansing Indicates
Pan-American ConfereeS
Plan Some Early Step.
REPLY OF GEN. CARRANZA
IS EXPECTED BY MONDAY
Gen. Scott Returning From Border
for Conference With State De-
partment officials.

That the conferees who signed the
pan-American note to the Mexican
leaders urging peace meeting VIII
move again in the interests of peace
in Mexico in the near future was indi-
Gated today at the State Department.
Secretary Lansing, in reply to a ques-
ton, said he thought something would
be done soon. He would not say how
soon, however. or that any arrange
ments for another meeting of the con-
ferees had been made.
The pan-American note was dispatch
ed from Washington two weeks ago.
The note requested an answer within
ten days. 1t was explained at the de-
partment. however. that this ten-day
time limit was to run from the date of
the delivery of the note to the various
Mexican chiefs. While number of re-
plies have been received, there still re-
mains a considerable number of the
Mexican leaders to be heard from,
known will decline the plan for peace
conference, and Gen. Zapata, ally Of
Villa.
Expect Carranza Reply Monday.
Officials here are beginning to feel
that the time which has expired since
the sending of the note is sufficient,
and that all the replies should be in
hand soon. Gen. Carranza's reply is
expected here Monday, according to
his agency. and probably will come
from Mexico City, where Carranza eX-
poets to set up his capital tomorrow.
There was no suggestion at the State
Department today as to what the next
step would be on the part of the Latin
American diplomats and Secretary
Lansing. who signed the note to the
Mexican leaders.
Charles A. Douglas. legal representative
of Gen. Carranza here, today received from
Gen. Gonzales. commanding the Carranza
troops in Mexico City, dispatch refutfng
published reports that the conditions in
Mexico City were very bad. His dispatch
Carranza agency here for a report on con-
ditions in the capital. It is as follows:
Reports Steady Improvement.
Il have the pleasure of informing you
that the general situation is improving
daily. The hunger problem is about
solved, and with reference to railway traf-
fc. SO soon as this is resumed with the
or four days, the aspect of the country
will have changed favorably."
The information relief committee in
Mexico City reported to Red Cross
headquarters here today that, despite
reports to the contrary. famine in
Mexico City daily becomes more acute.
1t was stated that APPLICATIONS to the
committee for food were being made by
more than one-fourth of the popula-
ton of the city.
Mai. Gen. Hugh L. Scott, chief of
staff. is on his way to Washington
the State Department on Mexican con-
ditions. He has been on the border
for the last two weeks in the interest
of the State Department. and it was
he who succeeded in obtaining the con-
sent Of Gen. Villa to the peace plan
suggested in the pan-American note.
His return, however. without having
conferred with Carranza generals leads
to the belief that his mission was not
successful outside Of the Villista ranks
Scott when he arrives here.
Gen. Villa telegraphed his Washing
ton agent today from Durango, saying
the defeat of Carranza troops at Villa
Garcia several days ago was very seri-
GUS, their losses being 200 dead and
about 500 wounded.
Villas forces under Gen. Raoul Ma
dero continue the investment Of Mont
Grey, defended by Carranza troops COM
manded by Gen. Trevino.
Newspaper Man Still Held.
The case of H. w. Francis, a news
paper correspondent imprisoned at
Vera Cruz for sending out dispatches
unfavorable to Carranza, is giving the
State Department considerable concern.
Two weeks ago demand for the
prisoners release was ignored and all
efforts to arrange bail for him have
failed.
Today representations were renewed,
and 1t is understood that the message
was Of a very vigorous character.
Francis is a British subject, though
til recently he was held incommuni-
cado. but as a result Of repeated rep
reservations he now is permitted to
see his friends.
To Confer With Villa.
Enrique C.. Llorento. Gen. Villas
Washington agent, left here last night
for Chihuahua for a conference with
his chief. Manuel Bonilla will repre-
sent the Villa government during his
| absence.
Destruction of the railroad bridge
Cross reported today, compelled it's
agent. J.: c. Weller. to return to
PfedraS Negras with trainload of
J foodstuffs with which he started, Au-
gust 25, to supply to the thousands of
destitute Mexican women and children
| in Monclova and Saltillo. He returned
with sixty tons Of corn and eleven and
one-half tons Of beans. Mr.. Weller re-
ported brisk fighting was in progress
south of Piedras Negras
|
RUSSIAN HOLY SYNOD
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