Evening star., 1916-06-28
he would make the trip. Everything
depended on the Mexican answer
Much Depends on Answer.

Much Depends on Answer.
Should Carranza have failed to meet
the demands the President. instead of
going to Philadelphia tomorrow. he will
go to Congress and lay the Mexican
situation before that body, with a re-
quest for authority to proceed as he
thinks best to protect the interests and
honor of the United States. If the
answer is favorable, as many today be-
lieved it would be, the President will
go to Philadelphia.
The President also has an engage
ment to attend the annual banquet of
the New York Press Club in that city
Friday night. but the filling of that
will also depend upon events.
The opinion was advanced today by
a we'll informed man who has talked
both with the President and Secretary
Lansing that Carranza's delay in send
ing his answer to the note of last Sun
in communication with the Central and
South American republics, seeking to
line them up with Mexico in the pend
ing difficulty. and informing them of
portunity to express their views and
commit themselves to his policies. what
ever they may be. The same man was
of the opinion that Carranza will dis
ayow the Carrizal incident" but at
the same time place the blame upon
the American soldiers to a large extent
He is expected to indicate that Gen.
Trevino went farther than had been ex-
pected, but that the aggravation to the
Mexican troops was severe.
Disavowal Must Garry Release.
This disavowal would carry with 1t
the release of the soldiers and go far
toward notifying the relations of the
two countries. This man has also re-
ceived the impression that in seeking
to satisfy the United States Carranza
will plainly propose that American
troops now in Mexico be withdrawn
farther toward the border and may in
innate that he will be satisfied IL the
troops are kept within certain zone
just south of the border, thereby in
suring protection to American terri
tory and people.
In fact. this idea of zone Of thirty
or forty miles below the American bor--
DER In which troops of the United
reaching territory of the United States
Is today looming up as the possible
compromise for the settlement of the
troubles with Mexico. The administra-
ton viii not consent to the troops
leaving Mexican territory entirely, but
1t would. according to good informa-
tfon today, probably agree to a plan
of settlement by which this country's
extending thirty or forty miles below
the border, thereby keeping of ban
dts while Carranza Is trying to bring
peace in other portions of his domain.
Would Sacrifice Political Future.
The President Is represented as SO
keenly desirous Of keeping peace with
Mexico that he is willing, If neces-
sary. to sacrifice his political future.
He has an adherence Of settling the
difficulties with Mexico along lines that
might benefit himself In a talk he
had today with Senator Lewis of IL
hnois. he told the Illinois senator that
he sincerely hoped that whatever de-
bates take place in Congress they
would be along non-partisan lines. He
especially hoped that his particular
friends in Congress would elevate their
remarks on this subject far above poli-
tics, seeking no credit for what the adj
ministration has sought to do In Mex
leo and making no attacks upon the
opposing party speakers.
Members OF the foreign Affairs COM
mittee Of the House were studying
precedents today with a view to pre-
action Congress should take on the
Mexican situation. One resolution
particularly favored in the informal
discussion. and which may be presented
to PRESIDENT Wilson for approval. would
declare that state of war exists; that
the Presidents course with respect to
Mexico is approved by Congress and
authorize him to use the army, Ma
tional Guard. Navy and Marine Corps
and authorize him to call for yolun-
teers. This resolution, while not put
into final form, was talked over among
House leaders today without any final
conclusion.
Believe Carranza Will Evade
Mr.. Rodgers message to the State De-
partment, dated yesterday. said that It
was believed that the Mexican authorities
are investigating the carrizal affair. His
statement was interpreted here as indicat-
ing rather that the reply would support
previous assertions that American troops
were responsible than that a change Of
attitude was to be expected. Gen. Gomez,
commanding the Mexican detachment at
Carrizal. was killed in the fight. Lacking
his knowledge Of what was said at his
conference with Capt. Boyd Just before
the firing begain. 1t was deemed i'm
probable that the de facto officials would
find anything in the reports Of his sub
ordinates justifying a change in views.
Report From Pershing Awaited.
Hnal report on the CarriZal fight
from Gen. Pershing is still awaited
here. Capt. Morey's report was re-
ceived last night. AS coming from the
only American officer known to sur
vive. it has great weight with admin
istration officials. 1t was pointed out
today. however. that he did not know
personally all that had happened. His
account must be supplemented by that
Of troopers who were with Capt. BOYD
at the conference with Gen. Gomez.
The War Department anticipates that
Gen. Pershing will submit formal ac-
count, based on all the reports he has
obtained from survivors. A board of
officers may be assigned by the field
commander to assemble this account.
The position of the Washington gov
ernment as to responsibility for the
clash will be founded on this final re-
port. Preliminary statements from
Gen. Pershing have indicated that the
Mexicans will be held responsible for
opening fire. since they had been ad-
vised in writing by Capt. Boyd Of his
peaceful purposes.
CARRANzA IS REPORTED