The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-09-11
Declines Pan-American Invita-
ton to Confer With Warning
Factions
SAYS WOULD MENACE
MEXICO'S INDEPENDENCE
Dangerous to Accept Principle
That Internal Affairs of
Country Subject Of External
Mediation

Vera Cruz, Sept 1O.-General
Nictoriano Carranza, first chief of
the constitutionaiist party. has de-
clined to acquiesce In the invita-
ton of the diplomatic representa-
tives OF the United States and the
Latn-American countries that the
joint leaders of the various fac
tons In Mexico confer in an en-
deayor to bring about peace.
The reply of General Carranza
which was handed to John r. Silli-
man. President Wilson's representative
TN Mexico City. at Noon today. follows:
"Messrs Minister'S. Having informed
General Victoriano Carranza, the frs,
chief Of the constitutionalist army in
charge OF the executive power of the
union, of your note, which you signed
In your official capacities and address
ed to him under date OF August ] 5 last.
inviting him to a conference with the
chiefs of the rebel party TO consider
the Mexican situation and re-establish
peace. l have seen fit to address your
excellencies, as, in fact, ] have the
honor to do. TO inform you in the name
OF the first chief of the constitutionalist
army in charge OF the executive power
of the republic, that he cannot con-
sent that the interior affairs OF tsle
republic be handled by mediation or
by any initiative of any foreign gov
eminent. inasnuch as all have the
right to respect the inaiienable right
of the sovereignty of nations and
since. upon the acceptance of the In
risatisH OF your axeeiieHe.ess addressed
Ito him, to attend conference with
the chiefs of the rebel factions with
la view Of returning peace to Mexico,
he would impair profoundly the indie
pendence OF the republic and would
testa hiiah Ase precedent Of foreign in
reference. this alone suflicing to lueep
our government from participation in
the legitimate defense Of the sovereign
ty of the Mexican people and of the
other American nations.
Other Essential Reasons.
Apart from this fundamental rea-
sons there are other reasons which /
II, not wish TO pass without mention,
in order to produce in Your minds the
intimate conviction that the conduct
of the first chief OF the constitution
alist army IN charge of the executive
power Of the nation in this attitude IL
inspired solely by the highest duties
imposed upon him by his elevated
trust
do not doubt that Mexico Is at pres
ent in the throes of a revolution which
II Ia proposed to wipe out the last
vestige OF the colonial epoch. as we'll
as all tho, errors and abuses OF past
administrations. and realize the noble
aspirations for the welfare and the
betterment of the Mexican people.
First Chiefs Innuenc~.
''on the other hand Your Excellen-
ctes have been able TO observe from
tho answers received to your note
from the military chiefs and civil sub
ord.nates OF the first captaincy that
the first cheif liz tha ~ authority that
could decide. and who in fact does
decide, matters submitted to the con-
sideration OF the former, who with
their replies. have given an eloquent
example of their discipline and soli-
darity, at the same time giving evil
dence that the first chief has known