Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-04-30
Point Out Meeting Is Deadlocked If
Consideration of Mexicans' Re.
quest Is Insisted Upon.
BOTH TO MAKE CONCESSIONS
Negotiations Are Further Comph-
Gated by Report That Evidence Il
Forthcoming That Villa Is Dead,
Although Body Is Missing.

Two conflicting propositions de-
veloped Immediately after the be-
ginning in the Mexican customs
house in uarez late today of the
conference to decide the future
disposition of the American ex-
peditionary force in Mexico.
They are understood tenn
porarily to have increased the
gravity OF the negotiations.
In addition. another factor is
believed to have been injected
into the situation by the receipt
OF fresh reports that Francisco
Villa is dead.
Expects to Establish Claim.
Mexican Consul Andreas Garcia said
Col. Carlos Carranza had telegraphed him
able to find Villas body. but that he had
established beyond dispute that the bandit
leader was dead and he hoped to recover
the body in few days. The telegram
said all the evidence tended to confirm
the death of Villa.
This telegram is understood to hare
been laid before the conferees. but none
would confirm or deny it,
The initial meeting. which lasted tve
hours, was held behind closed doors In
the big. en-tinted room which Villa
used as his council chamber when he
dominated northern Mexico and Juarex
was his headquarters. Another con-
ference will be held tomorrow. this
time in Ell Paso. Gems. Hugh L. Scott
and Frederick Funston represented the
United States. The Mexican conferees
were Gen. Alvaro Obregon, Mexican
minister of war. and Gen. Jacinto Trs-
vino, military commander of the north.
east district of Mexico.
Two Propositions Advanced.
The progress of the negotiations was
not divulged. but from an authoritative
source two things were learned:
First, that the Mexican representa-.
tives reiterated the wish expressed in
Gen. Carranzas recent note to the
Washington government that the
American troops should be withdrawn
from Mexican soil at an early date.
Second, that they were informed by
the American officials that the latter
were not empowered to discuss the
of Gen. Pershing's columns.
1t is understood the American rep
told the Mexican officials
that if the de facto government insisted
on an American withdrawal that the
conference would go into deadlock
and the whole matter would divert to q
diplomatic discussion between Washing
ton and Mexico City.
The MeXicans. II is understood. were
further informed thai the purpose Of
the present conference so far as the
United states is concerned is the de-
velopment of a specific plan for the CO.
operation of the American and de facto
armies in wiping out the bandit groups
that have caused so much bloodshed
along the border and have repeatedly
taken American life in the interior Of
Mexico.
Meeting Americans Half Way.
1t is understood that Gen. Obregon,
prior to the conference. openly ex-
pressed disinclination to discuss any
other subject than withdrawal. and
hat he carried this attitude into the
initial meeting.
After the primary issues had been
broached. however. he is reported to
have carried out the intention he an
nounced shortly after his arrival on
Friday of meeting Gems. Scott and
Funston half way" in the negotia-
lions.
The attitude of secretiveness main
ained by the officials gave rise to all
sorts of speculations tonight. Mexican
officials declared their intention of al
owing the Americans to do all the
alking. The latter refused all but the
most inconseQuential information re-
yarding developments
In well informed quarters, however
he opinion was freely expressed that
he present negotiations are unlikely
o lead to any definite disagreement.
t was pointed out there that the Car
ANA government could not afford to
AXE any step that would endanger its
present peaceful relations with WASH
ngton. AS far as the United States
vas concerned, it was argued, ii has
held to big brother
'olicy toward the country south of the
Rio Grande and had repeatedly an.
ounced itself against Intervention.
Each May Make Concessions.
Under these conditions. it was pointed
ut, both sides would find ii to their
dvantage to concede a few points in
he interest of an ultimate agreement
hat would meet in the main the in
erests of both parties.
This agreement, ii was believed
,ould provide for joint policing OF
ne bandit infested territory Of Chi
uahua, with the American army sta
oned some distance south of the Rio
rande. in position to act as buffer
gainst the repetition of bandit at
lcks on the border.
While the instructions sent by New