New-York tribune., 1916-06-24
WAR BROUGHT NEAR
FEAR In CAPITAL
Continued from page 1

eral Pershing's report tonight. is
grave question.
Until this the situation had seemed
slightly more favorable, the most no
ticeable change being a relaxing Of the
belligerent attitude of Administration
officials Intimations had been given
that war would come only as a result
of an organized attack on American
forces by the direct order of the Car
rama government-a condition not yet
known TO have existed AT Carrlzal.
Apprehension Among Officials.
Secretary Bakers order 70 the mill
tia TO proceed TO the border as soon as
mustered, and without waiting TO be
recruited to war strength, provoked
much comment. Although the Secre-
tary announced that the men would be
used for border patrol duty, the rela-
tive quiet now prevailing along the
boundary makes IL appear certain that
this sudden dispatch Of unframed and
unorganized units reflects apprehension
in the minds OF the Administration of
serious developments
Diplomatic interest In tho situation
centres largely about the efforts being
made by both governments to concili-
ate Latin-American opinion. The State
Department sent yesterday 10 the
Latin-American diplomatic corps as
surances that no Intervention was in
tended, and General Carranza has like
wise presented his case 20 the same
tribunal.
Following the First Ctief's kilograms
TO Central and South American capi-
tails, Ambassador Designate Arredondo
announced to-day that he had called
at all the I.atin-American embassies
and legations and informed them that
responsibility for war would rest on
the United States, as General Car
rama had given strict orders TO his
troops not 10 attack the Americans
unless the latter assumed the aggres-
sive.
He said that a new invasion Of Mex
leo in pursuit Of bandits or for any
act of aggression and would be re
pulsed by force.
Lstin-AmertcaRs Appealed to.
The Latin-American diplomats are In
clined TO favor Carranza in the pres
ent situation, believing that il has aris-
en- from the Presidents insistence on
keeping the Pershing column in Mexico,
although the bandits il set out TO pursue
have been dispersed. and the expedition
is at present doing nothing but irri-
tate the Mexican people and provoking
clashes that may endanger peace.
Persistent reports Of German and
japanese intrigue in Mexico have
caused the Administration some con-
cem, but the belief is that they are
IN their larger aspects unfounded. II
IS known that General Carranza's own
sympathies are decidedly anti German,
and further that he is eXerting every
effort TO avoid war. The report there
fore. that he was being persuaded TO
belligerent course by German intrig-
uers is believed 20 be baseless.
In diplomatic quarters here the sus-
picion OF Japanese intrigues in Mexico
is secuted. and reports OF II are laid
10 German desire TO cause truoble. As
an ally Of Great Britain, which govern
ment is strongly opposed to hostiities
for fear Of their effect on the oil sup
ply for the fleet. japan is bound 10
avoid attempts TO complicate the sit
uation.
Many officials believe, however. that
German agencies are engaged in pro-
noting friction by financing raids on
the border and in other ways. but see
no way Of dealing with them except as
individuals. These men believe that
any Japanese involved are in German
pay and are not working for their own
government.
Americans Believed Safe.
The safety Of American citizens IN
most parts OF Mexico seems assured.
Special Agent Rodgers reports that al