The Columbus commercial. (Columbus, Miss.) 1893-1922, 1916-06-29

Gen. Carranza surrenders the %
American troopers held at Chihua-
hua City before Thursday night,
President Wilson viii probably go
before Congress today and ask for
authority to rescue them by force.
Pending their release the United
States government will not consider
any offer of mediation or arbitra-
ton.
The state department has no inti-
nation as to when a reply to the
note sent Sunday morning demand
ing the immediate release of the sol
diers, might be expected 1t was de-
livered Tuesday at II a. m. Special
Agent Rodgers has been unable to
forecast the action of the de facto
authorities.
Prompt compliance by Congress
with any request the President may
make as to Mexico was forshadowed
today by the calm which prevails in
both houses. Although measures de-
signed 60 prepare for war were un-
der consideration and the corridors
Of the capitol hummed with rumors
there was no excitement and discus
sion Of the subject on the floor was
avoided. The legislative branch of
the government was plainly waiting
70 do its part when what the ma jcri-
g. regarded as inevitable, should
come
Eliseo Arredondo, Mexican am
0assador designate, said he had re-
ceived no intimation of the course
his government intended to pursue.
and had not even been advised Of
the receipt Of the American note. On
his own responsibility, however, he
sent TO the State Department two
communications One complains
of the enforcement Of general em-
oa'go on shipments to Mexico the
other recites that Mexican citizens
have been arrested without cause in
California and Arizona. They warn
Secretary Lansing that the present
situation between the two govern
ments can not fail to be gravely ag-
gravated by these matters, although
setting forth that the ambassador
assumes that local authorities, not
the State Department, was response
BILE for the trouble.
So far as is known the State De-
partment has not been advised Of
the detention Of the Mexicans. II is
an open secret, however, that an en-
barge on commerce between the
United States and Mexico is being
enforced effectually by custom and
army officers, without the authority
Of a formal proclamation.
Efforts TO sound the administra-
tion officials anew as to their atti-
tude toward some form Of arbitra-
ton met with a chilling reception.
Charles A. Douglas, recently re-em-
ployed as Gen. Carranzas legal adj
wiser here, called on Counsellor
Polk at the State Department He
and Dr. Victor A. Rendon, head Of
the Yucatan sisal commission, had
received word from Louis Cabrera,
the Mexican finance commissioner,
that Gen. Carranza was disposed to
appeal to the arbitration provisions
Of the treaty of lS4S. provided the
, United States was willing to submit
the dispute to peaceful negotiation
Mr. Douglas is understood to have
suggested that the arbitration pro.
vided for under Section q of the
treaty could well be employed tc
!. formulate a definite question as be
tween the two governments, which
!, in turn might be settled by media
ton. He left the conference with the
: clear impression that the Washing
= ton government would listen to nj
4. mediation suggestions.
1t has been very plainly indicated
; that unconditional surrender of tbs
American prisoners held at Chihua
hua would be the only immediate
=. step Carrarza could take 70 svoi'
Z hostilities. Whether a mediation pro
is posal might be considered after thei
release is a matter of speculation.