Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-06-15
Secretary Lansing and Advisers
DO Not Want to Be Charged
with Playing Politics at Con-
ventiOn Time.
SITUATION GROWS SERIOUS
No Official in Washington Will
Venture a Prediction as to
What May Be Expected if
Anti-Americanism in Mex.
leo Increases.

Washington, June 13-Unless the in
creasing seriousness Of conditions in Mex
leo forces action, despatch of the reply
to General Carranza's demand for With
drawal of American troops probably will
be delayed until after the St. Louis con-
vention because the administration de-
sires to avoid any drastic step at a time
when it might appear to be prompted by
political influences.
Secretary Lansing and his advisers are
said to have given careful consideration
to the possibility that the administration
might be charged with playing politics in
dealing with the problem. The rapid
spread of anti-American propaganda in
northern Mexico, however, coupled with
increasingly grave economic conditions,
may take the situation out of thei" hands.
No official would venture a prediction
tonight as to what might be expected
In the immediate future. In common with
some consuls in Mexico, they believe all
most any eventuality is possibly with
agtators working on the feelings Of a
people already distressed by tho fruits
of prolonged disorder.
y sharp rejoinder is being prepared to
the Carranza note. It will repeat the
b
keep American troops in Mexico until tho
Carranza forces have shown their ability
and intention to properly police the
border states. 1t will also rebuke the
de facto government for questioning the
good faith Of the Washington adninistra.
ton.
Pending the sending Of the reply,
steps have been in progress some days
r. tipp ,La<
may arise. Conferences between state
and navy department officials have re-
suited in the formulation Of definite
plans for the removal Of Americans who
would gather in Mexican ports should
a serious outbreak of anti-American
feeling force them to fee, or should
there be clash between American and
Mexican troops. 1t is known. too, that
the possibility of calling out more
State militia to protect the border has
been the subject of renewed discussion
among officials
The motives behind the anti-American
| propaganda and the precise attitude Of
| General Carranza toward the agitation
/ both are subjects Of speculation Many
! officials are convinced that the dc facto
government is totterng, and think Gem
eral Carranza may have sent his bell
! lirerent note with the deliberate pur-
pose of provoking the Washington adj
ministration to Intervention. The con-
troll of the first chief over the various
elements of his army and Of his civil
government is manifestly weakening.
according to official reports.
The fact that the great bulk of the
I Mexican people have only such reports OF
what has happened and is happening in
| border States as their leaders choose
to give them, increases the danger OF tho
situation A demonstration that might
end in hloodshed among foreign residents.
it is feared. could be easily provoked. The
consequences probably would be far
reaching and the Washington government
be compelled 10 take measures, which II
has struggled for years to avoid.
President Wilon has no intention OF
changing his policy unless forced to do
so. If peaceful way can he found out
of the difficulty presented by the Carranza
noteand the even more threatenins spread
Of anti-AmeriCan feeling in Mexico, that
will be the course pursued. In his treat
ment Of the Mexican problem. Mr.. Wilson
is said to have worked always with regard
to the effect each step might nave upon
, Latin American nations generally hoping
70 give them a clear demonstration of the
good faith of the United States 1t its dec
lara tons of friendship.
1t is known that before the outbreak
of anti-Americanism complicated further
the framing of a reply to the Carranza
note. officials We're considering a pro.
posal that an international commission
be formed to discuss all matters between
the two countries. The treaty of 1856
referred to in the CarranZa note, provides
for such a discussion. With the new
and alarming developments beyond the
border. however. there seems little
possibility that such a course will be
followed.
No important dispatches were received
at the war department to-day. Transports a.
ton of the 1900 additional regulars or
dered yesterday to join General Funston
is being arranged
At the state department consular re-
ports continued to tell of the spread OF
J the anti-American feeling. None of tho
demonstrations reported had any serious
proportions, however. Many of the re-
ports were rumors rather than eye Wit
ness accounts.