South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-04-15
First Chief Sends Envoy to
Japan Supposedly to Bar
gain Over Magdalena
Bay, Strategic Point.
AWAIT PERSHING REPORT
ON PARRAL FIGHTING
Anti-American Feeling Runs
High in District Occupied
by Advanced Guard
of u S. Army.
International News Service:

International News Service:
WASHINGTON, April ia num-
Der Of dispatches dealing with the
general situation confronting the
American expedition in Mexico
reached the war department during
the night. but their contents were
withheld II is understood they con-
firm the report that Carranzista sol
diers participated In the attack upon
American troops at Parral.
Sec'y Baker conferred with Pres't
Wilson for half an hour just before
midnight. II is understood the sus-
gestion that the field base OF the
Pershing punitive expedition be
moved was discussed, but the score
tary refused 20 say whether action
had been agreed upon.
There is no change in the situa-
ton anywhere" was the only COM
ment he would make.
Reports Arc D4squieting.
All reports reaching Washington
today were far from being as assur-
ing as the secretary's statement.
While war department officials ex-
pressed the utmost confidence in the
ability OF the American column 10
protect itself it was realized that
Gen. Pershing's troops as evidenced
by the Parral attack. are in a terri
tory. where anti-American feeling
runs high. Not only are officials con-
vinced that the Carranza forces will
not give any assistance-tO date they
have rendered none whatever-but
they fear they will betray the Amer
leans altogether by crafty intrigues.
In official circles Gen. Pershings
own account OF the ParTal fight was
keenly awaited.
State department officials express
ed no surprise AZ reports that Gen
Ramon Iturbide has been sent by
Carranza on a secret mission 10
Japan. The negotiations between
Mexico City and Toxic ever since
the abdication of Porhrio Diaz have
from time 10 time engaged the Sc
rious attention Of officials here. AL
though conducted in secret, the Sc
cret is an open one. the japanese
object being no less than the acqui-
sluon OF Magdalena bay. the finest
land-Iocked harbor on the entire
Pacific coast, as a naval base. De
spite the fact that these negotiations
fiaunt the Monroe doctrine. they
always command the serious Stten-
ton Of the Washington government
" henever Mexico City assumes =
defiant attitude toward the United
States
To Give Bay for support.
IL ia e-1rrrrl al that a. a ANA 80
dispatched Gen Iturbide 20 Toxic
with explicit instructions 20 bargain
away Magdalena bay for the Jap
anese support Of mis- fast-waning
cause In late years the Mexican
government. whoever whatever. or
wherever il might happen 10 be. has
rebuffed all American overtures for
the acquisition or Nagdalena bay.
though by naval strategists abso-
lutely necessary as an American
naval base 10 complete the scheme
for protection OF the Panama canal.
While Sec'y Lansing has declared
that the Carranza note rega riding the
withdrawal OF the American forces
from Mexico Is a request Ito treat
on the subject rather than "a de-
mand. il IS known that Gen. Car
rama means nothing Jess than inn
mediate withdrawal. This YVES made
plain in SonOr Arredondo's reports
on the Parral fighting and in Car
ranza-s latest manifesto that the
American forces i'm Mexico should
be limited 10 1000 men. or one arm
only. High officers of the army gen
eral staff today characterized al or
these demands on Washington as
nothing less than Insults.
One high army officer placing a
broad Interpretation on the views or
Sen stone as expressed yesterday.
declared that OF the two alternatives
expressed by the Missouri senator.
the second should be adopted and
that the American forces should re-
main IN Mexico. rot merely until
villa Is killed OF captured but until
order is restored from the RIO
Grande 10 Tucatan. Although Secy
Lansing has declared he IS prepared
10 treat with CarTanza over TIE
withdrawal Of the troops. 81 Is known
no time limit has as yet been consic-
cred. II is assumed that the state
department will not recognize Car
rama IS in control OF the situaton
unless his own forces are able 10
achieve the object Of the American
exposition. the capture 81 Villa
Meanwhile army ofhcere cannot
conceal their impotence over the
fact that the administration has not
vet laid an embargo on All muni-
tons exports 20 Mexico.