American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1916-04-27
READY FOR
General Scott Receives Instructions
TO Present to Mexican Cabinet Of
fieer.

General instructions for the assist
ance of Major General Hugh l.. Scott
at his forthcoming conference with
Carranza's a minister, General OBJ
RECON, have been drafted by Secretary
Baker after brief conferences with
President Wilson and with Secretary
Lansing at the state department.
The only official statement as to the
nature of the instructions was the fol-
lowing issued by Secretary Baker:
THE instructions are to discuss a
basis for The most cordial and complete
cooperation between the American and
Mexican forces in the attainment of
their common object"
While the immediate object Of the
conference Is, as stated, a question of
military dispositions to put an end to
bandit operations along the border,
there is no doubt its result will have
a strong influence upon the diplomatic
negotiations between the two govern
ments. Suggestions Of the conference
would receive attention both here and
in Mexico City.
1t is considered certain General OBJ
RECON will carry back into Mexico
City on his return a definite impress
sion that the American troops will re-
main In the positions to which Gener-
al Funston now Is shifting them, as a
buffer between the disturbed area OF
northern Mexico and the border, until
the success of the CarranZa forces in
pursuing the bandits removes the
danger of further raids on American
towns. 1t also is virtually certain that
to police thoroughly all the territory
In the immediate vicinity of their ad-
vanced basis will be made clear.
To this extent the conference will
give General Carranza advance notice
of the attitude the United States will
take in replying to his note of April
~, suggesting the withdrawal of the
forces. Officials hope, however, that
It's more immediate result will be to
clear ava the misunderstanding and
suspicion with which the movements
of American troops have been regard
ed by local Mexican commanders and
officials; to free supply shipments for
the troops from interference which
they have met heretofore and perhaps
to make possible real joint operations
for the capture OF villa.
While 1t is not known thai the
orders mention villa, General Scott
may point out to General Obregon that
the most effective way to obtain early
withdrawal of the American > forces
from Mexico would be to lend all pos
sible aid in the chase for the bandit
With his elimination, either by Amer
lean or Mexican troops, 1t is believed
the Washington government woulc
agree to an immediate retirement Of
the expedition across the border.
1t would be made clear in this con-
Injection that United States Officers
have no doubt Of their ability to cap
ture the bandit were 1t not for theiI
desire to avoid clashes with the Mexi-
cans such as occurred at Parral. The
redisposition of the troops to coniint
their operations to a more limited
field since that incident will be cited as
evidence OF the good faith of the state
ment.
The presence of the American
forces ON their new lines will narrow
the chase materially If the Carranza
government desires to undertake i
unaided, or make possible effective co
operation II joint operations are pre-
ferrcd.
A renewal of the hunt for the bandi'
by American troopers Is now in pro
gress. both official reports from Gen.
cral Funston and border advices dis
closed. The cavalrymen, despite the
worn condition of their mounts, are
beating the mountains where villa
adherents have been assembling dur
ing the lulu in the chase after thu
Parral incident. No information as t
the whereabouts of villa himself has
been received.