Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-05-01
Mexican and American Con-
ferees Consider DISPOSE
ton of u. S. Forces.
REPORT TO WASHINGTON
ON FIRST CONFERENCE
On Answer of Wilson, Lansing
and Baker Depends Fu-
turc Status.
CARRANZA URGES WITHDRAWAL
All Of Principals in Pending Neso.
tiations Seem Optimistic Over
Developments.

II. PASO, TEN, April 30.--Mexican
and American conferccs over the dis
position OF the American forces in Mex
co marked time to-day while Major
Generals Scott and Funston awaited
word from Washington aa TO the next
sien to be taken in the negotiations
at'h General ObrcSon.
The report Of the American repre-
sentatives the tirst conference went
forward by wire early to-day. On the
answer OF President Wilson and Sec
retar!es Lansing and Baker TO its
recommendations depends the future
status Of the conference.
In the meantime the following facts
developed:
That to date the apparent intention
o' Tho Washington government 10 keep
General Pershings column in Mexico
has not been changed.
That General Obrcgon in yestcrriay's
conference served no sort Of notice on
Generals Scott and Funston that could
he construed as an ultimatum demand
Ing immediate withdrawal.
That tho desire of the de facto gov
crnmcnt for withdrawal was again
stated but that the only discussion
along this line was regarding the ad-
visibility OF an American retirement
DISCUSSION OF POSSIBILITY
NJ EFFECTIVE COOPERATION
That ,her" was considerable discus
sion OF the possibility of effective
American and Mexican cooperation in
tn" eradication ot scattered Villa
bandit groups.
Tha, there is strong possibility
there VIII be only one more conference
held. that depending OIL the wishes OF
the Washington government.
~ a Mhtle the, present. negotia tions
= hre proceedingi shipments of supplies
to the American expedition from tho
front are going forward uninterrupted
ly. among other supplies leaving the
Columbus base to-day being nine
truckloads OF ordnance
From stray bits OF information i,
appears that yesterdays conference
ended with the question of withdrawal
o. tho United States troops stin upper
most In the minds of the Mexican con-
fcrees. They are understood to have
tried TO impress upon tho American
representatives the claim that political
conditions In Mexico are such that they
cannot lie responsible for evcntual-
ties resulting from continued occupa :
ton of Mexican soli by American col
umns.
In view OF the already expressed at
titude Of the Americans that they were
unable TO discuss any other question
than cooperation OF tho two armies
iii dispensing the various bandit organ
izations. the next step was 10 attcmp,
t. reach basis on which both side;
might meet.
ANSWER WILL DfvUIGE
CHANCES OF BASIS
Washington's answer is expected to
divuiSe whether such a basis can be
established.
In some quarters tonight there was
disposition 10 believe that the ne,t
conference would deal with the ouos-
ton of withdrawal. ana that so far
as the American conferees are concern
ed. the subject will he approached with
reserve. II is pointed out that there
has been no disposition by the A,neri-
can government TO consider the mission
OF General Pcrshng's columns as hay-
ing been ended.
1t is argued that the United states
might consent TO rclnquish the prob
lem of the Villa bandits TO the forces
OF the de facto government but that.
pending successful completion of this
task, the American troops will con-
tinue to remain in the State of Chi
huahua. the hotbed Of the Villa band
it's
News arriving here to-day, indicat-
ing that there had been no Iet-up in
the southwark rush Of supplies for
General Pershings men, bolstered up
this belief.
There is nothing in the atmosphere
of either El Paso or JuareZ to indi
hnf NJ, ,,,-;,
In the negotiations. All OF the prin-
cipals. Mexican and American. seem
optimistic.
General Obregon expressed the belief
that the conference would be ended in
time for him to start his return trip
to Mexico City by Tuesday or Wednes-
day
OBREGON IN CONFERENCE
WITH HIS ADVISERS
General Obregon to-day held long
conference with his advisers in his
private car. but nothing was announced
regarding II. Later, it was stated that
' the Minister of War had received r
telegram from General Candido Agui-
lar. Minister OF Foreign Relations at
Mexico City. stating that General OBJ
regon had been quoted IN certain
American papers as saying that he
had 10000 men ready to force the re-
tirement OF the American troops across
the border" The telegram added:
"Jnstructions OF the first chief arc
that the declarations made by You he
sent TO this office. to be sent officially
TO our ambassador at Washington"
General Obregon Immediately wired
a reply, declaring he had never made
or thought OF making such state