The Washington herald., 1916-07-06
TROOPS TO QUIT MEXICO
Small Probability, However,
of Abandonment of Mobili-
zation on Border.
CARRIZAL STILL UNEXPLAINED
De Facto Chief Silent on Ambush, but
State Department Is Expected
to Yield Point.

The immediate danger OF the Mexican
crisis was eliminated yesterday by the
receipt Of Carranza's friendly and con-
ciliatory note, which promises co-opera-
ton against border raids and paves the
way for the settlement of the entire con-
troversy by diplomatic means Carranza,
in effect, withdraws ala threats against
the American expeditionary force in
Mexico, with the tacit understanding that
the withdrawal OF American troops north
ward will be part of the joint plan OF
the two governments for reaching an un-
derstanding. There was every indication
last night that President Wilson will
agree to this. though the attitude Of the
American government has not yet been
formally announced.
Secretary of State Lansing. after read
ing the note, strongly intimated that the
crisis has passed. He said he intended
to leave Friday for a months vacation
at WatertoWn, n. Y, where he will de-
vote more time to fishing than to diplo-
derstood to be ready to Join Carranza in
friendly efforts to settle all differences.
Two Plans Suggested.
Two plans OF procedure are suggested
by Carranza. They include mediation by
the L.atin-American countries or direct
negotiation between the American State
Department and the Mexican foreign Of
fee.
Secretary Lansing declined to forecast
which procedure appeared the most likely,
but IT was explained that there Is no par
ticular reason why the two governments
could not resume the negotiations which
were begun by the Scott-Obregon confer
ences on the border, but broken off be-
cause OF the inability to agree on the
basic question Of the withdrawal Of the
American troops.
This question now, it is explained,
promises to be eliminated. chiefly because
Gen Pershing has already begun to move
his forces toward the border.
The State Department still declines to
say whether this withdrawal was in re-
sponse to orders from President Wilson
or whether 1t was entirely dictated by
Cen Pershing's strategy At the Mexican
Embassy it is said that the reasons for
the withdrawal are no concern of the
Mexican governments. but that the fact
OF the troops withdrawal has proved the
chief means of avertlng the threatened
breach.
Carranza's suggestion for a plan Of
''cantonInents" along the boundary line,
which is revived in the note, was thresh-
ed out at the Scott-Obregon conference
1t is explained, and considered practical
by representatives of both governments.
1t would mean. in effect, the establish
ment Of American and Mexican military
camps along the border or in a zone con-
tiguous to the border having as a COM
mon object the prevention Of the forma-
tion Of bandit bands and the dispensing
Of any raiders who might threaten the
American side Of the line.
1t is not regarded as likely that the
lessening Of the tension in the Mexican
crisis will have any effect on the mobi-
HZatiOn OF the National Guard. Officials
say that even with the best efforts of the
Carranza government it will be months
before conditions in northern Mexico are
anywhere near normal.
Carranza's note does not make any
specific explanation Of the orders given
to Gen. Trevino which were responsible
for the Carrizal clash and an explana-
tion Of which was demanded by Secretary
Lansing. 1t Is not believed that Secretary
Lansing will press this point.