The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-06-22
German Infiuence Said to Be Especially Active in Persuading Carranza to Open Hostilities
GRAVE ANXIETY IS
 FELT OVER REPORTED
 CLASH AT CARRIZAL
Officials Are Not Hopeful and the Feeling Is That War Cannot Be Averted. Wilson Reviews Troops

Washington, June 21.- While General Carranza is studying the American note rejecting his demand for with drawal of Pershing's expedi- tion, European diplomats are exerting pressure on the first chief to prevent him from going to war with the United States, it was learned here to- day. Some intimation as to what Carranza's next step will be was expected hourly to- night at the state department.
 Reports that American and | Carranza troopers had clashed aroused gravest apprehension here tonight for future rela- tions between the United States and the Mexican de facto gov ernment, already strained al most to the breaking point.
 Officials declined to make any prophecy as to the next step of the Washington government, saying that until details of the incident had been cleared up, it could not be determined whether crisis had been precipitated. They made no effort to conceal their anxiety but were not ready to abandon hope that an official account of what happened at Carrizal would remove the more threatening elements of the situ- ation.
 Much depends, it was indicated, on whether the clash was a result of Gen. eral Carranza's s determination to enforce his demand for withdrawal of Ameri- can troops from Mexico or merely de- tached incident arising out of a misun- derstanding between commanders. If it was a deliberate attempt to back up tho Carranza edict by force, there seems lit- tie doubt that President Wilson will ac- cept it as an act of war and make good his word in the latest communication to the de facto government. in which he said that any such attempt would be fol- lowed by ''the gravest consequences" VERY SERIOUS STAGE Whatever the outcome of the official investigation, however, '- was admitted on every hand that the incident in itself presented a grave menace to the con tinuance of friendly relations and brought the Mexican situation to perhaps the most serious stage it has assumed.
 President Wilson remained at his office until late tonight receiving such meager information the subject as was avail atle and Secretary Baker was in close touch with the war department and the White House by telephone.
 Special Agent Rodgers reported today that the Mexican cabinet had under con- sideration the American note but was unable to forecast what action would be taken. His message threw little light on what was going on in the Mexican capital
 From other sources, however, came the news that the entente allies are particu- larly anxious that nothing should occur at this time to shut off the oil supplies for the French and British navies from the Tampico fields and are bringing pree- sure to bear to prevent an outbreak
 GERMAN INFLUENCE
 Allied diplomatic representatives in Mexico believe, too. that German in- fluences have been working on Carr ranza in an effort to create. situation that might embarrass the enemies of the central powers.
 They have asserted that German agencies have been active in stirring up feeling against the United States, not only in Mexico, but throughout Central and South America to prevent this coun- try from securing trade formerly con. trolled by German merchants.
 It is understood that the diplomats have pointed out to General Carranxa that the American note only declines to consider immediately any suggestion that it's troops be withdrawn from Mex ico and that it quotes a portion of tho
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