The Caldwell watchman. (Columbia, La.) 1885-1946, 1916-06-30
IGNAClO Ckl-DERON WITHHOLDS
OFFER AFTER TALK WITH
SECRETARY LANSING.
AWAIT CARRkNZA'S REPLY
Meanwhile Both Congress and the
War Department Put New Urgen-
cy in the Preparation for War
Will Protect Pershing.

Washington. -Efforts toward Latin
American mediation in the Mexican
crisis, favored by Carranza officials,
collapsed without having reached the
stage of formal proposal to the
United States.
1t was made plain by Secretary
Lansing to ignacio Calderon, minister
of Bolivia, that the Washington gov
eminent sees nothing in the situation
that would warrant arbitration pro-
ceedings.
Mr. Lansing talked with the minis
ter for half an hour, and is under.
stood to have told him that the blame
for the grave outlook rested squarely
upon Gen Carranza The attitude OF
the United States was SO fully out
lined that Mr.. Calderon did not men,
ton directly the original purpose OF
his visit, which was to ask if the
United States would entertain an Of
fer of the services of its southern
neighbors to aid in averting war.
When the minister left the State
Department he said the time seem
ed inopportune, and that for the
present the diplomatic representatives
of six South and Central American
countries, who had approached the
Mexican embassy on the subject Of
mediation and received assurances
that the Carranza government was ia
vorable to the principles, would tender
their good Offices to the United States.
I He indicated hat the attempt to ar
J range mediation might be renewed if
Gen. Carranza's reply to Secretary
Lans.ng's last note furnished any
base on which the proposal could be
founded
The United States now is waiting
for Carranza's final word in reply to
the note demanding release of the
prisoners taken at Carrizal. and a
formal diplomatic announcement of in
tentions.
The note has reached Mexico City.
Special Agent Rodgers reported it's re-
ceipt, adding that he had failed in
his first efforts to place it in the hands
of the Carranza minister of foreign re-
lations. Officials looked for an an
swer within a day or two at most.
Meanwhile both Congress and the
War Department put new urgency in
their preparations for war. There
were indications that should formal
break occur towar. the end of the
week. every possible precautionary
step will have been taken and Gen.
Funston will be in a position to de-
fend the border adequately and rein
force Pershing's expedition, although
aggressive action may be delayed
somewhat.
War Department activities during
the day covered wide field Sup
Elemental orders to departmental
commanders called for greater haste
in getting the national guard to the
border Authorization went out to
accept the men under the physical ex.
aminati1ons on which they entered
the state service, postponing final ex-
animation until they are Ell route or
have reached the border. Those found
unfit will be sent back at once.
Pay For State Troops.
Estimates to cover the pay and
maintenance expenses of the state
troops, totaling sSS,OOO.OOo up to JAN
uary l. were laid before Congress.
With them went figures of $4,000, 900
for the purchase of horses and mules
for army use. The total estimates Of
the acknowledgement alone pass
the, $100,000,000 mark.
The House passed the annual army
appropriation bill after adding $26,.
100000 for emergency purposes dur.
Ing the brief debate that preceded the
vote. An urgent deficiency bill car.
rying $25,0O0,e00 for national guard
pay, equipment and transportation
was framed in committee for presen.
tation to the House.
Railroad representatives were call.
ed into conference at the War Depart.
ment to hasten the movement OF
troops and supplies to the border. A
definite plan was mapped out under
which traffic experts of all lines Of
work will work with army quartermas.
tiers in routing trains Special marks
will distinguish cars with army sup.
plies, insuring them right Of way at
all switching points.
Plans for military censorship over
newspapers, magazines and other pub
locations as we'll as over lines OF com.
munication were talked over