Evening star., 1916-07-21
MEXICAN PARLEYS
. MOVE FAV0RABLY
Agreement on Basis for Nego-
tiations Believed to Have
Been Reached.
ATTITUDE UNCHANGED
ON ARMY WITHDRAWAL
State Department Confirms Receipt
of Carranza's Latest Note, But
Gives Out No Details.

although II was dullllllCu dt
the State Department today that
note had been received from the
de facto government of Mexico,
under date of July II, proposing
the appointment of a joint COM
mission to settle border difficult
ties, officials refused to comment
upon the statement given out at
Mexico City last night purport-
ing to present the text of the
communicate ton.
It was learned from an authoritative
source, however, that the Mexico City
text. though substantially similar, Is
not identical with that presented by
Eliseo Arredondo, Mexican ambassador
designate. July H.
Mr.. Arredondo saw Acting Secretary
Polk before the latter went to todays
cabinet meeting. 1t was indicated after
the meeting that no statement could
be expected today. Mr.. Folks only
comment was to reiterate that the ne
gotiations were progressing favora-
bly," He is understood to have told
Mr.. Arredondo that he was not pre-
pared to give a reply to the Mexican
note.
Believe Agreement Reached.
The general impression prevailed that
a tentative agreement has been reached
along the general lines Of the Mexican
proposal. although the scope of the
discussion may differ somewhat from
the suggestions of the Carranza note.
According to the Mexico City dis
patch it was proposed that the COM
missioners take up three questions:
Withdrawal of American troops from
Mexico. negotiation of reciprocal
agreement for the passage of the troops
Of either government across the border
in pursuit of bandits and an investiga-
ton of the interests behind the bandit
raids, the intimation being that they
were inspired by those on both sides of
the boundary who desire intervention in
Mexico.
There seems little doubt that the
Washington government is willing that
the last two propositions should be
taken up by a Joint commission. Re-
gardinE withdrawal of American troops,
however, the situation Is less clear.
No Change as to Withdrawal.
Throughout the entire course of the
dispute arising out Of the Villa raid on
Columbus. N. NJ, administration Off
cials have professed Willingness to dis
cuss this subject, but it has been made
plain repeatedly that withdrawal could
not be made the basis of an agreement
for joint action against the bandits
There has been nothing to indicate that
the State Departments attitude has
undergone change in this regard
Secretary Polk took with him to the
cabinet meeting a memorandum of his
conferences with Mr.. Arredondo. which
he supplemented with verbal report of
his latest mesfing with the ambassador.
The substance Of previous converse
tions already have been reported to
Secretary Lansing at Watertown, n. Y,
where he is spending a months vaca-
ton.
Gales Action Regarded Favorable.
War Department officials today in
terpreted the action of Gen. Gales. the
Carranza commander in Sonora. in re-
turning the Nacozari railroad to Ameri-
can management as indicating favor
able change of sentiment on the part
of Mexican military officials on the
western part of the border.
Gen. Davis. commanding at Douglas,
Ariz., telegraph the department of
the transfer. Authority has been grant
ed, he said. to bring daily passenger
trains across the border for renovation
and return, in accordance with the Gus
tom pursued prior to the suspension of
traffic by Mexican authorities.
emission has been given for ship
ment of coal from the United States for
opefation of the road.