New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-12
Fear CarranZa Deadlock
May Make Pubic
Impatient.
ARMY WITHDRAWAL
STUMBLING BLOCK
Hope Seen in Proposal for
Joint Patrol of the
Border.
iFrom The Tribune Bureau. ]

Washington, May ii.-0ffcials were
surprised and disappointed at indca-
tons from the border late tonight that
Generals Scott and Obregon had absn-
doned hope Of reaching an agreement.
No dispatch from General Scott was re-
ceived at the War Department to-day,
and judgment was based on the state
ment issued at FL Paso.
Some Of the more optimistic believe
the statement is ambiguous. and that
the conferrces may have meant to con
yey the idea that settlement had been
reached on the major issue. but that
details had been left for diplomatic
negotiation.
The failure Of the border conference,
while il would not remove the last hope
Of reaching an amcable underst snding.
would. 1t ia felt, have disturbing ef-
feet on public opinion. both IN Mexico
and the United States.
Public sentiment Is guiding both
government, and has been instrumental
in locking the Scott-Obregon confer
ence up to this time. and it is feared
that II nothing comes of the conference
after two weeks both countries will be
convinced that break is inevitable.
Hope for Some Agreement.
For this reason many administration
officials believe the conference should
be continued until some agreement is
reached. even If it is only on minor
points. II this hope is lost the admin
istration, officials confess frankly, will
not know where TO begin on new
series Of negotiations.
10 is understood here that both Gen
eral Scott and General Oregon con
scented TO postpone the settlement OF
the question whether the American
troops were 10 remain in Mexico or
withdraw until the new Carranzs pro
posal for the mutual patrol Of the
border mad been acted on. Acceptance
Of this proposal by General Scott
would, il is believed, pave the way for
an amieable adjustment OF the whole
difficulty.
THE important thing just now" The
Tribune was told to-day by an official
III close touch with the negotiations,
''is for Scott and Oregon TO agree on
something. They have been in CON
ference without result for so long that
very unfavorable impression has been
created in both countries.
People think the two governments
are hopelessly at odds. whereas the
truth is that from the very beginning
the bitches have come on questions Of
relatively minor importance. II Scott
and Obregon announce an agreement
On the mutual patrol Of the border pub
lie confidence in the negotiations will
be restored"
Alfonso Siller, first secretary OF the
Mexican Embassy, arrived al Mexico
City tonight, the embassy announced.
Mr.. Siller was sent by the snbassador
to explain the situation TO Carranza.
II is believed he will convince the
First Chief that President Wilson
plans 10 withdraw the troops from
Mexico as soon as he thinks public
opinion will tolerate H.
As diplomats here understand the
situation, neither government desires
the continued presence of American
troops in Mexico, and neither desires TO
create embsrrassments for the other by
No clear statement OF the present
purpose Of the expedition is obtain
able from Administration officials,
however. The Presidents original an
nouncement that the sole purpose"
% the expedition was 70 capture Villa
was modified few days later by Sec
Tetaly Ddhe1 announcement lnHl tne
object was the "dispersap of the
Villa bands. More recently il has been
stated that the expedition would not
withdraw until the future safety of
the border was assured"
Another change in Technology is
noted in Secretary Bakers recent
references to the defensive" expedi-
ton. Other officials had previously
called it punitive" expedition.
What is meant by assuring the
future protection OF the border" is
not explained The punitive" or "de-
fensive" expedition is based on only a
few miles Of the boundary, and is
powerless TO prevent raids at other
points. The recent raid at Glenn
Springs shows that Villa, the object
OF Pershlng's chase, is not the on ~
bandit, and the determination OF his
bands would therefore not assure the
borders safety.
The mutual patrol OF the border
suggested by General Carranza is
thought 10 be practical solution Of
the Immediate difficulty. II Carranzs
will furnish 10000 troops to parallel
an equal American army, IL is be-
lieved that the greater part Of the
menace would be removed, though no
military measures could. IN all prob