South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-05-03
PerShing'S Force to Maintain
Base at COIOnia 0ubIan and
Have Use of Railways
For Supplies.
ISSUE NOW HANGS ON
CARRANZA'S STRENGTH
Officials Doubt Ability of De
FaCto Government to Cope
With Serious Inter
nal Problems.
International News Service !:

International News Service:
WASHINGTON. May 30. - Pres't
Wilson. sec'y of War Baker and
Sec'y of State Lansing planned to
consider today the report of Gen.
Scott on the agreement reached at
his conference with Gen. Obregon.
Inasmuch as this agreement retains
the American expedition in Mexico
and gives it permission to utilize the
railways for moving supplies 10 the
base at Colonia Dublan. as we'll as
assuring cooperation by the forces
of the defacto government il is ex-
pected that it will be formally rati-
fed without loss of time Meanwhile
it is understood here that Obregon
will carry back TO Mexico City with
him accurate knowledge that until
Villa either is killed or captured the
American forces will remain in
northern Mexico.
Crisis Postponed.
Although officials were greatly re-
heved today TO find that the confer
ees were able to reach an amicabIe
agreement, it was generally accepted
that the general Mexican crisis has
only been postponed. The Carranza
government again is on trial II
must demonstrate now:
First-That II is sincere in its
promises TO aid in eliminating Villa
and all other bandits in northern
Mexico
Second-That 1t commands the
confidence Of the country and can
really bring about a restoration of
industry.
Third--That it can command the
money needed to rehabilitate tne
government and in every way pro-
tect foreign interests along the lines
promised when recognition was ac-
corded Carranza.
There is an admitted element OF
doubt in oficialdom here as 70 the
ability of the de facto government 10
do this Conditions admittedly are
very bad all through Mexico. Hun
dreds of people are dying of starva-
ton and of disease and so far there
has been no organized effort on the
part of the de facto government 10
combat these conditions.
Prepare For Any Issue.
While Carranza is having his in
ming il is understood that the United
States VIII make preparations for
any eventuality. 1t developed today
that the real reason why the Scott
Obregon conference was held was
the reports made by Gen. Pershing
which showed conclusively that the
Carranza troops were not only ham
pering the American movements. but
actually were cooperating with ban
dts in certain sections He insisted
in his report that unless the Amer
lean forces were to be withdrawn in
a hurry he should be given authority
TO seize the railroads and dig him
self in. This the president and his
advisers we're opposed TO at the
present time and so Scott was rush
ed TO the border 10 clear up the sit
uatiOn at least temporarily.
The administration has been
strongly opposed 10 calling out either
a volunteer army or drafting the ma
tiOnal guard for service in Mexico
II a real crisis I'm Mexico can he
postponed for several months the
new army bill will have become law
and there will have been enlisted a
force Of regulars sufficiently large.
with the aid of the navy. TO under
take the pacifcation Of Mexico II
is known that two members Of the
presidents cabinet. who all along
have held that Intervention must
come. are very favorable now 70
delay
Wait Report on Raid.
The war department still is wait
ing the report OF the board Of officers
named 70 investigate why the Villa
raid on Colum bus was possible This
investigation is DELAYED because all
OF the participants are al the front
in Mexico. II is understood that
among the other questions that are
under Investigation is why il was
that Col Slocum was not warned Of
rumors afoat in Chihuahua City that
such an attack was planned. II Is
reported here that Consul Marion
Letcher a. Chihuahua City forward
ed these rumors 10 the state depart
ment which passed them on TO the
war department. but that instead OF
the officials there forwarding the re-
port 10 SlOcum il was sent 20 the
army war college then working out
a Mexican problem. Although II
probably will be some time yet be-
fore the responsibility is placed for
the Columbus raid il seems already
certain that court martial win re-
suit