The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-05-02
Obregon Demands Immediate
Withdrawal of American
Forces, Which Is Refused
SITUATION RAPIDLY
GROWING MORE UGLY
Juarcz Evinces Hostile Spirit
When 1t Is Learned u. S.
Troops Will Not Be With
drawn Now From Mexico

Department earl, tins evening
sent dispatch to General Hugh
l.. scott. chief of stan. directing
him not to make any terms with
MEXICAN Minister of War Obrcgon
conditioned on the Withdrawal of
the .ancrican troops from Mexico.
The dispatch was sent after a
series of conferences of high Of
ficials. Secretary Baker conferred
with president Wilson at the
White House and with Secretary
Lansing ani Counselor Polk at
the State Department. The con-
fcrenees were made necessary by
the receipt of disappointing and
disturbing messages from General
scott. indicating that unless new
subjects-"ele introduced, the con-
fercncfS with General Obregon
might as well be adjourned
The tenor of General SCOTS dis
patches was that General Ohregon was
ma king the withdrawal of the PERISH
ing- ssA<seditson condition precedent
to any further parleys on the situa-
ton.
The reply sent to General Scott con-
tanned the Information that the aaaes-
ton OF Withdrawing the army lis q
matter for the consideration of the
State Department, not the War De-
partnent. and he was instructed to
make every effort TO continue the con-
ferencss pending a decision by the
ad minlstration
Situation Ugly.
After this message had been. sent
army officials descrtber the situation
as black and ugly" They said that
General Obregon apparently had as
suned 1ha1 General Sent had-poxaz-
TO confer 10 a conclusion In their
opinion this accounted for the fact
that General ObTegon after yielding
on the question of releasing supplies
for the army, plunged Immediately
INTO the main question of the with
drawal OF the troops
Eliseo Aredondo. Carranza's am
assador-designate in Washington,
again urged Secretary Lansing today
10 order the withdrawal of the Ameri-
can Hoops. He was told that this
matter could not be discussed while
the Scoi-obregon conferences are N
progress on the border.
After his conference with Secretary
Lansing. MIR. Arrendondo told news
paper men the position Of the Car
rama government WAS that there IL no
longer any need OF the presence of
American troops. since Villas power
mas been crushed. General Carranza,
ne said, would not entertain any pro-
posal 10 keep the American troops in
Northern Mexico even If they remain
ed inactive. until de facto government
troops completed the WORK. for which
the troops were sent across the border.
Mr.. Arrendondo made it plain that
Carranza would be satisfied with no
proposal Tor maintenance of a foreign
army, on Mexican soil. The visit of
Mr., Arredondo to the State Depart
ment was taken to indicate that Gen.
eral Obregon had advised him that
General Scott refused to discuss the
withdrawal OF troops, and that Obre-
gon. therefore. urged the Ambassador
TO take this matter UP directly with
the State Department, Secretary of
War Baker reiterated today that the
mission on which the troops were
sent into Mexico had not bee i
changed He added that nothing hal
been added TO or substracted from tho
orders under which the expedition
was launched 1t was significantly
stated that General Scott was in
structed before his. conference with
Obregon to discuss means of CO.
operation in carrying out the purpose
of the expedition This was inter-
preted as meaning that Scott had no
orders to discuss withdrawal. II
the impression, gained
during the day that the administration
has no present intention of withdraw
ing troops. There was strong ground
for the belief that the administratio
had decided 1t would under no circum-.
stances be "blufYed" into ordering i'm.
N ediate evacuation because General
Obregon. with an army behind him,
had demanded II.
Serious Hitch At Border.
Evidence that there was serious
hitch in the Scott Obregon negotis-
t4oas- was given. by the exchange OF
kilograms between Secretary Baker
and his chief OF star. Secretary Ba-
ker received long cipher teiesram
from General Scott Sunday This
was sent Mt the conclusion Of thA
only conferences thus far held b.
tween tho opposing military Ieadsra
Secretary Baker saw President Will
SON after receiving t,ris first dispateA
and later replied. II was assume4
thar conference would b. held -
Juarex today. Instead General 0coe3
apparently did not believe hi -
struetians covered the ground. ana ~
sent another cipher message to -
rotary Aaker, The secretary took tt