The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-04-15

leave the Pacific Coast within ffteen
days
The Carranza envoy declined to
make n direct statement concerning
his instructions. but tho following is
the substance of an interview obtained
by state Department officials and for
warded 10 Washington.
Where are you going oeneral7'
To Japan
Immediately?
Immediately. Yes, I intend to sail
from the Pacific Coast within fifteen
DAYS, earlier II possible"
What is the nature of your mis-
SION"
Il mast decline to state 1t is n
secret"
DO you intend to seek treaty
stipulating a military alliance between
Mexico and Japan, or loan 2
Il can only answer that am only
a special diplomatic representative
especially appointed for a particular
purpose l represent the de iact0 gov
eminent Of Mexico and was designated
for the work blythe frst chief, Serf'S
1'arranza. !
DO you understand clearly that
YOU have stated you are on a secret
mission to Japan for your govern
ment?'
Entirely. ! am on a secret mission
to the Japanese government for the
existing Mexican government.
May Demand Explanation.
The arrival in FL Paso of General
Iturbe Is not yet generally known, II
is believed the state Department will
undoubtedly demand explanation of
the mission from Carranza at once.
lance between Japan and Mexico
would constitute an unfriendly act,
deliberately violating the accepted. II
uuwritten, principles OF the Monroe
Doctrine,
II Is also considered possible that
the State Department will by diplo-
matte overtures seek to determine
Japan's attitude toward Mexico.
When Felix Dlaz was sent on what
appeared TO be a similar mission
three years ago and Washington in
terfered Japan was checkmated by
the publicity and compelled to notify
Dlaz that he would not be received.
It may or may not be considered
1 significant. but II will be recalled that
during the American occupation OF
. Vera Cruz it was discovered and re-
! ported 10 the military authorities that
/ japanese naval officers were with the
Mexican troops facing the American
| lines,
+ Al international diplomatic scan
! dal Gas narrowly avoided by the fact
| that the commander and officers Of
| a Japanese warship went to Mexico
| City and paid an official call at Cha
| puitepec after having accepted hos
| FATALITIES on board United States war
ships.
General Tturhe. the central figure
in this new move. comes from the
district OF Guadalatara. where he Is
| prominent. He is young man who
! figured conspicuously az a Carranza
! adherept at the last Mexican con-
veution in Mexico City
He is a man of exceptional educa-
ton and refinement, but on his ar
/ rival here was dressed as though
from a long, hard trip, His trousers
Mapped about his legs and his soft
( shirt fiared open at the neck. Around
his waist was a double belt OF car
tridges. An automatic pistol was
slung in holster at his hip.
Military activities are more notice
able at all points along the border than
at any previous time. The censorship
at Columbus has been materially light
ened.
Il is known, however, that at Glib
sons Line Ranch, fifteen miles west of
/ Columbus and on the direct supply
road. the guard has been raised to 100
men. Ten days ago this guard con-
sisted Of only SIX troopers Scouts
have been sent out into the range of
hills south Of the ranch. where the
road turns into Mexico.
Boca Grande is a supply station
south ~ the ranch, and heavy guard
is being maintained there urd@r Cap
tain Z, :. Grant III. This officer wired
General Funston today "A plea for more
men and piece OF artillery.
within the last two days shipments
II wire have gone through and barbed
wire enfanglemeuts have been erected.
orders have been issued TO keep senti-
neis posted on the highest ground near
each Of the points garrisoned by Amer
lean troops.
Espis Is the next garrison below
Bocs Grande. There are sixty four