Arizona republican., 1916-07-26
CARRANzA SAYS
 VILLA LEADING
 TILTED BANDITS
Republican A. p. Leased Wlre1

| MEXICO CITY, July 25.-General | Carranza, in an interview with the correspondent of the Associated Press today discussed the conference to be l held between the delegates represent ! ing Mexico and those of the United | States for the purpose of reaching an agreement relative to the withdrawal Of the American troops now in Mexico and patrolling the frontier in such a manner as to prevent a further bor- der raid. General Carranza also dis cussed the economical, political and military situation in Mexico.
 Late papers from the United States" said General Carranza, declare that my government is threatened on the north by an army of fifteen thousand men led by Villa, who is threatening the city of Torreon. On the south, they say 1 am to be attacked by an army led by reactionaries and clericals, with plenty of money and men. Well, all can say is, let them come, and I will knock them on the head singly or united, as 1 have done before.
 As matter of fact you know per fectly well that Villa is followed by a few ill fed miserable bandits, and the reputed army of the south is a myth. But, even if these two imaginative ar mics have existed in fact, l have ev- cry confidence that my own soldiers will take care of them, as they did in the time of Huerta, when 1 started without men and money and drove the dictator from power You may remem- Der also that Villa with his great ar my crumbled up and melted away be- fore our attacks and any other upris- ings will be handled in like manner by me.
 What is bothering us at present is the presence of American troops on work of construction and pacification, because it gives encouragement to the laWless elements of our population. It is to obViate this that the coming conference will be held
 T cannot speak in detail of this con- ference until my government receives the reply of the United States govern ment to the note sent on July II last suggesting that such a meeting be held'
 Will this conference be limited tC the question of the withdrawal of the American troops" General Carranza was asked.
 That is a question which I cannot answer definitely at this time" re- ? piled the first chief But you can he assured of the withdrawal of the troop: , and the vigilance of the border are the points of prime interest for the Mex ican government Whether or not the s delegates will take a wider field 1T 5 their exchanges of ideas is matter ! which will perhaps be decided later.
 When asked as to MeXico's proposa regarding the protection of the border 1 General Carranza said that an effect 2 i've patrol on either side of the line b. . the respective troops of the two coun l tries would solve the question of fur
 ther incursions and that Mexico wa
 ready to follow the lead of the Unite
 States in so stationing men. It is un derstood that the details of this pla s have already been drawn up and wi t De presented at the conference whlc e is to be held early next week. y Asked about the coming genera r election General Carranza said tha = the municipal elections would be hell r throughout the republic on the fiIs h Sunday in September. These will b e followed by General elections in Oc $ tober to select deputies to a con e gress 10 be held in the city of Que r. retaro in December or January. Thi z congress will consider constitutions 70 amendments to meet the aims of tn s- present revolutionary movement.
 General Carranza was asked if h
 would be a candidate for the presi
 dencv at the elections following tn
 constitutional convention. He pause e before replying and then said smi l. ingly:
 re T cannot answer that question ; e, this time but legally l have the sam +e right to be a candidate as any otht d citizen of Mexico"
 al Questioned regarding the receptio l. of American capital and enterprise y, during the period of reconstructio D. General CaranZa answered that tn; l. would receive the same welcome as er the days before the revolution wit
 this distinction that, whereas, in tf
 past much foreign capital receive
 special privileges not allowed to Mex
 cans. in the present and future 2 an capital will have an equal opportu, Id ity under the law. Referring to u ed labor union movement which h. nd grown rapidly of late througho Jo Mexico, the first chief said: as We will encourage the aspiration k- and entbusiasms of the labor party, ve long as they work within the law, b S. both capital and labor must unde m stand that the general welfare is tI
 aim of the present constitutional = party and that the people at lar =, are tre first considered"
 I General CarranZa said that he d
 not wish to consider the question foreign loan at this time but
 could say that the economic situati'
 of Mexico was slowly improving, tn
 the crops this year promised 10
 among the best of the last deca
 and that altogether conditions wa
 rarted optimism.
 eve have enemies" he said. "t reactiOna rieS and clerica1s in tl United States and in this count