Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-05-03
MARKED PROGRESS
MADE AT FL PAS0
BY TWO CONFEREES
Generals Scott and Obregon
Continue Conference
Into Night.
SATISFACTORY SOLUTION
ANTICIPATED BY BOTH
Negotiations Carried On in Spirit
of Good Will, Statement
Sets Forth.
WILL NOT WITHDRAW TROOPS
De Facto Government Convinced
That Washington Will Not
Alter Intention.
WILL NOT WITHDRAW TROOPS
De Facto Government Convinced
That Washington Will Not
Alter Intention.

Ell PASO. TEN. May 2-Marked
progress toward agreement was
made to-day by the American and
Mexican conferees considering United
States troop disposition in Mexico. ac-
cordtng TO unofficial, but authorita-
tive, adviccs
1t is believed now the matter may
be threshed out i'll the next day or
so. This progress was due to the fact,
it was said, that General Alvaro obre-
Eon, representing the de facto Mcxi-
can government had concluded there
was no possibility of altering the in
tention of the Washington govern
,nent not to withdraw General PERISH
ing's cNpcditionary force immed lately.
Al o'clock Tonight two hours at
ter the conference had begun. Major
General Scott handed tho following
statement TO the Associated Press:
I'VE are conferring In spirit Of
mutual good will. and hope to arrive
at a solution that will be satisfactory
to both Of our governments. There
Will be nothing more for publication"
This statement was signed "Obregon
and Scott"
WAR NOT DESIRED ny
DF; FACTO GOVERNMENT
The attitude of the Mexican govern
ment is said to have been described by
n Mexican official who took part In
the first conference at Juarez, who Is
closely conversant with the entire
situation. and who said:
"Retwccn two evils you must choose
the lesser. 1t would bo folly to sup-
pose the dc facto government desires
war
frnt 10 hot a
AIcxicans had decided not to press tho
question OF withdrawal with the pos.
sibility that break might follow.
The negotiations to-day took an un-
expected turn. In tho morning 1t was
announced that there probably would
he Il meeting Of the conferees In the
II afternoon with Generals Funston and
Scott, representing tho United States,
as in the first conference. and with
Generals Obregon and Trerino repre-
senting Mexico.
At noon, however. General Scott
walked unattended from his private
car to tho Hotel Paso del Norte, leav-
Ing General Funston to lunch alone
in the car. About the same time. Gem
eral Obregon crossed over from
Jaurez in hts touring car and pros
ceeded to the same place.
SCOTT USES HIS TACFlCS
AS OFFICIAL PEACEMAKER
Arriving ut tho hotel. General Scott
and General Obregon went to room
on tho eighth floor. reserved by a. j.
McQuatters. president OF the Alvarado
Mining and Smelter Company, which
has large interests at parral. the scene
Of the recent outbreak OF Mexicnns
against the American troops. It be-
I'm the
erals were to be the guests at lunch
con OF Mr.. McQuatters, friend OF
both.
At this meeting, which began at noon
and lasted into the night, General Scott
is reported to have employed the same
tactics which he successfully employed
In his negotiations with Villa, tho CO.
ronimo incident and other affairs which
won for him the reputation OF being the
official pcncemaker of tho Washington
government.
lie is said TO have indicated to Gen.
eral Obregon these things:
That the United States is the best
friend Mexico has.
That President Wilson only wishos
to SEQ Mexico rid OF villa outlaws. and
rs soon this is accomplished tho
American troops will be withdrawn.
lUal IL appears tnit the dtNltuoe ol
the United States government has not
been properly understood. since. far
from seeking Intervention. that Is tho
very thing IL wishes to avoid.
That finally. the majority or the
American people, and even the military,
are in accord with President Wilson'S
desire to avoid intervention.
GUARD AGAINST RAID
FROM OUTLAW BANDS
In addition, General Scott Is reported
to have said that the United States
government had been informed that
the Villa element still was very strong
In chihuahua and Durango, and II Is
felt that 1t must take every precaution
against the repetition of such Incidents
as the Columbus raid. $
AS the afternoon woro on and the
conference did not end the report
spread that General Scott was gaining
his point. Late In tho day Dir. licQuat-
ters summoned to the conference room
his business associate. w. J. Freeman,
and a stenographer. Not long after
ward General Funston appeared ct the