The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1916-05-11
PROTOCOL MAY Be
SIGNED UP TODAY
Scott and Funston Waiting on
Obregon, Who Says He Is
Ready to Sign
Pact.

Eel Paso. Tex. May 9.--At noon there
was no sign of a conference. General
0bregon remained in his private car in
Juarez, 1t was reported on the Next
can i that the minister of war was
preparing to start south at 6 o'clock
this evening.
General Gavira, Carranza command
err in Juarez said today that the Mexi-
cans take the view hat the Big Benz
raid was instigated by interventionists
and that no great Importance was at
tached to it for that reason.
Eel Paso, Tex. May s.-Maj. Gen.
Hugh l.. Scott, chief OF staff of the
United States army. appeared conf
dent today that before night General
Obregon, Mexican minister Of war,
would meet him in what it is believed
would be the final conference regardS
ing the status of American troops in
Mexico and the attitude OF the Mex
lean army.
General Obregon said First Chief
CarranZa already had approved in gen
eral the agreement made by him and
General Scott, and he was convinced
full authority to close the negotiations
would be received in time for signing
the protocol today. Generals Scott and
Funston regarded the military opera
lions in the Big Bend ret IN OF Texas.
caused by the incursion Friday night
~ " tNi1lS PoL W co why XII
directly related to the conferences be-
gun for the purpose Of securing greater
cooperation between the American
troops in Mexico and those of the de
facto government. 1t was realized.
however, that military developments in
the next day or two might cause fur
Their delay.
Last Word Is Said.
General obregon has been assured
that the American representative has
said the last word, it was reported, TOLD
that he could gaiE nothing more by
further parley. 1t was said at his head
quarters early today that there APP
peared little doubt but that he would
be prepared to conclude negotiations
perhaps this afternoon.
Overnight reports received by Cen
eral Funston added little to the infor-
nation regarding the raid by Mexicans
Friday night. Later reports indicated
that the size of the attacking party
was greater than at first believed,
some estimates being as high as 300.
After continuing their raid to Deemers,
II Boquillas, they We're reported to
have recrossed into Mexico, although
some of the military reports indicated
that a part Of the Mexican force was
yet on the American side.
Carranza Men Desert.
From General Pe%rshing's column
there came also the news that there is
an increasing number of Carranza de-
sertions to Villa leaders, in some cases
small detachments of Carranza troops
passing in a body to Villas organiza-
ton.
Strengthened by these deserters. Viii
las men in Chihuahua were reported
to be gathering in greater force than
ever in front of General Pershing's col
umns. No disposition to doubt General
P%ershing's ability to care for himself
was evident at headquarters, but it was
feared hat he might be forced to with
stand IN attack.
1t became known today that General
Obregon is having increasing difficulty
in retaining the loyal cooperation of
some of his military men in the tenta-
tive agreement he has entered into
with the American chief Of staff.
General Scott indicated this morn
ing that the next move in the negotia-
lions must come from the Mexicans.
When asked if he would take any
steps toward arranging the next con-
ference, the general said: Not one
step
He added that the request for the
meeting will have to be made by Gen
eral Obregon.
From information received here to-
! day it is thought the bandits in the Big
Bend may have been under the leader
ship of Rosalio Hernandez, a Villa
chief. who has been operating in the
vicinity of Santa Rosalia, about $50
miles south of Boquilla, Mex. The
. trail to Boquilla from Santa Rosalia,
is an open one and would be easy for
the Mexican soldiers to ride.