The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-05-11
Not Even Considered Seriously
by President Wilson.
Still Hopeful Mexican General
VIII Sign Treaty.
SOME EHEADWAY CONFERENCE
Throw Up EarthwOrks Around
Columbus Supply Base.
Although Only Precautionary,
Some Citizens Leave Town.

FL Paso, May 11.-A recess was
taken at 1 O'Clock and General Scott
announced the conference had made
progress and we may have something
to say when we meet again at 4
o'clock" General ObregOn went to
lunch with a friend.
Ell Paso, May 11.-General
Obregon called on Chief of Staff
Scott at 10 a. m. today for a
conference at which he was ex-
pected to formally submit his
cooperative border patrol plan.
The meeting was held in Scott's
private car in the Ell Paso rail-
way yards. Juan Amador, un-
der-secretary of foreign rela-
tions, accompanied Obregon to
the meeting.
Obre9on Has New Scheme.
War Minister Obregon is expected to
submit to General Scott in writing a
further proposal for a cooperative
border patrol involving withdrawal of
the American expedition from Mexico.
The plan is the last hope of the Car
ranzistas to gain their insistent de-
mands which to date deadlocked the
conference on international relations.
AS the proposal involves a question
which General Scott is powerless to
decide-the expeditions withdrawal
there was a possibility of the entire
negotiations being switched to Wash
ington for adjustment by the state de-
partment.
Friction at Danger Point.
Despite the increased tension along
the border there was still a prospect of
peaceful settlement. Friction, how
ever, between the Mexican forces has
reached the danger point and officials
believe peace will be hard to maintain
unless a settlement is swiftly reached.
General Carranza is blocking a set
tlement of the plan to which Scott and
Obregon tentatively agreed on behalf
of their governments in the sec
ond conference The succeeding meet
ings have found the Carranzistas
on the ground with <ew demands and
suggestions and one by one the con-
tentions have been turned down with
out hesitation by General Scott. Car
rama, however, has scood pat through
out on his demand that a time limit
be set on the stay of the expedition in
Mexico and this point is presented in
new form in the joint border patrol
proposal.
Washington Marking Time
Washington, May 11.-Adninistra-
ton officials today were hopeful that
General Obregon, Carranza war min
lister, would settle Immediately the
agreement presented at Ell Paso by
General Scott and Funston, on behalf
of the United States. Despite the long
delay of Obregon it was pointed out
that General Scott had made no re-
port indicating the agreement might
not be signed. Consequently officials
were not inclined to believe the nego-
tiations would reach the point where
a break would occur between Mexico
and the United States.
General Obregon's informal propos-
al for a joint border patrol of Mexi-
can and American troops, telegraphed
by General Scott apparently was not
considered seriously. 1t was said here
that President Wilson has indicated
no change in his former attitude that
the United States troops should re-
main south of the border until the
Carranza government can demon
strate beyond doubt its ability to pre-
vent future bandit raids on American
border towns.
Sleep on Their Arms.
Columbus. N. NJ, May 11-Fears
expressed by some of the more credu-
lous residents of Columbus were al
layed today by Major W. r. Sample,
base commander. who assured the
towns people that the defensive meas
ures being taken here by the troops
are merely precautionary. Despite
these assurances however. a few of the
citizens left town.
a company OF infantry continued to
sleep on their arms last night that
they might be prepared for action If
trouble should develop. Construction
of trenches and earth works about the
camp continued today. These all are
being dug at some distance beyond
the camp lines.
Everything was in readiness for the
arrival of the New Mexico national
guard 1900 strong, some of the COM
panies of which are expected tonight
or tomorrow
It's Up to Obreson.
Ell Paso, May I1.-Upon General
ni,reenn dnnandS fndar the nntcnrna