Evening star., 1916-05-12
Will Keep Forces South OF Bor-
der Despite Failure of
Negotiations.
THINKS NO MORE MEN
ARE NEEDED JUST NOW
Diplomatic Exchanges Are Expected
to Take Place of Military
Parleys at Ell Paso.

Secretary Baker announced after to-
days cabinet meeting that no change
in the Mexican policy had been decided
upon. No new orders for militia organ
izations to go to the border were in
contemplation, he said. and indicated
that no general intervention in Mexico
was being thought of at present.
In the meantime American troops
will be so arranged that they will be
ready to meet any eventuality and pro-
tect the American border
Secretary Baker laid before the cabi-
net the latest information from Gen.
Scott. and said that for the present he
thought there were sufficient American
troops along the border to handle the
situation. If conditions grow more
alarming, however. additional guards
men will be called out.
Scott Called to Washington.
Secretary Baker left Immediately aft
lantic City and Newark, n. J. President
Wilson plans to leave tonight on the
naval yacht Mayfiower for Weekend
trip down the Potomac. returning Sun
day night or Monday morning.
Upon receiving word today from Maj.
Gen Hugh Scott that the border con-
ferences with Gen. Obregon had been
closed without agreement, Secretary
Baker announced that he had directed
Cen Scott to return to Washington ana
Gen Funston to return to his mead
quarters at San Antonio. Tex.
Gen. Scott's report. which was IN
ampltfication of the official statement
issued by the conferees at Ell Paso last
night. was transmitted to Secretary
Lansing and also was considered at the
cabinet meeting. Its contents We're not
disclosed but there were some lndica-
tions of an unwritten agreement haV-
ing been formulated to cover co-opera-
tive action along the border for the
present.
Interchanges All Friendly.
Secretary Baker said the conferees
had tried to reach basis for writ
ten agreement. but found it impossible.
although all interchanges were of the
most friendly character.
1t was suggested that Gen. Car
rama, faced by the political situation
in Mexico, was unwilling to make any
written agreement to which his OPP
ponents could point as indicating a
surrender of sovereign rights. Under
that theory. Gen. Obregon. it is under
stood, has given assurances that every
possible means will be employed by his
government to aid in the speedy eX-
termination of the bandits. while the
formal diplomatic discussion of the
withdrawal suggestions proceeds. 1t is
possible that neither side will endeavor
to force the negotiations while the
disturbed condition along the border
continues.
Secretary Baker said no steps to send
additional National Guardsmen or regu-
lars to the border were i'll immediate
contemplation. 1t was made plain. how
ever that should Gen. Funston again find
his border guard too thin to protect
American towns and ranches, there would
be no hesitation in calling out more state
troops. So far, however, it was said not
even preliminary steps in this direction
have been taken.
Funston's Orders Not Changed.
Cen Funston returns to San Antonio
with his original orders altered in no
way. He has full authority to dispose
his men either in Mexico or along the
border
Despite the final break in the Ell Paso
parleys, officials here did not appear to
consider the relations between the
American and CarranZa governments
unduly strained. They believed the
governments even yet might reach an
understanding.
Gen Scotts report on the circum-
stances leading to the concluding of
discussions with Gen. Obregon was
awaited today with much interest 1t
was considered probable that 1t would
be studied carefully for several days
before formal discussions are resumed
with Mr.. Arredondo.
Diplomatic relations now are precisely
the same as before the military confer
ences started at Ell Paso about two
weeks ago. it was pointed out. Gen.
Carranza's note urging that American
troops be withdrawn from Mexico, re-
ceived one month ago today, remains
unanswered.
Will Keep Troops in Mexico.
President Wilson is still determined. it
is said, to carry out his original inten-
tions of keeping American troops in
Mexico until the bandit bands are COM
pletely broken up and danger of raids on
American border communities is past
The stumbling block at Ell Paso ap-
Cen. CarranZa to have an early date set
by which all American troops would be
Withdrawn from Mexico. In every COM
munica ton or published utterance of the
first chief he has dealt on the necessity of
getting the troops off Mexican soil if un-
fortunate incidents. such as that at Par
raj, are to be avoided.
The only reply to Gen. Obregon's ar
guments that Gen. Scott has been au-
thorized to make. SO far as known, was
that the troops would be Withdrawn as
soon as the de facto government had
its ability to protect the
border from raids. Just what physical
facts would be required to constitute
that demonstration is not known. al
though it is apparent that the assur-
ance of the Mexican officials that they
were able to handle the situah ION was
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