The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1916-07-08
|tnRa a1Dui ibaRjnu1by'
MEXICAN MINISTER STATES
THAT REPLY TO, AMERICAN
NOTE is MILD IN TONE.
CeiebsatiOn Of Holiday BY GOvcrnment
Onicials Prevents Delivery of Note
Until Today-Need Of Further Urg-
Ing of Mexicasn dc FactO Official Not
Vet Scttlell.

Washington. July 4.-Gen. Car
ranza's reply to the two sharp notes
from the Washington government
was at the Mexican embassy tonight
and an oral synopsis, made public
with the arrival Of Eliseo Arredondo.
Carranza's ambassador designate in
dicated that it was OF an unexpected
iy conciliatory character.
The formal communication arrived
by telegraph early In the day and
only the fact that the Fourth OF
July was being celebrated by all gov
ernment departments prevented it's
immediate delivery. 1t will be pre-
sented at the State department to-
morrow.
Mr.. ArredondO himself spent the
day In the country and on his return
declined to discuss hin governments
attitude as now officially stated.
lacking the text ct the note, 1t was
impossible tonight to say whether It
would prove satisfactory to Presidenr
Wilson. Since the release of Ameri-
can troopers taken at Carrizal the
question at issue between Washington
and Gen. Carranza has been narrowed
to President Wilson's desire for a
formal declaration of intention to-
ward the American expeditionary
forces In Mexico. The embassy
synopsis OF the new note indicates
that a specific statement still is lack
ing.
| Only a close study of the reply will
disclose whether it will be necessary
to press Gen. Carranza again to af-
firm or deny the hostile construction
placed upon his orders that American
troops be attacked II they moved in
any direction except toward the bor-
der.
Without doubt the effect of the en-
bassy statement as to the notes char
acter has been to relax still further
tho diplomatic tension between the
two governments. The release of the
Carrizal prisoners already had strip
ped the situation of its Immediately
dangerous character. 1t Is entirely
possible. however. that American Of
ficials will not fully share the op-
timistic views OF the Mexican embassy
when they are able to review the
language OF the Carranza note.
One fact stood out clearly tonight
In the minds of officials familiar with
President Wilson'S desires and pur-
poses. II Gen. Carranza sincerely de-
sires to find a way for peaceful settle
ment OF the difficulties between. the
two governments, he will be met more
than half way.
The diplomatic discussion foreshad-
owed In that event. however. would
have to be wholly aside from the
steps the Washington government
deems 1t necessary to take to protect
American lives and property along the
border. No proposal for immediate
withdrawal Of Gen. Pershing's troops
would be entertained as preliminary
to further exchange OF views on
Joint operations against bandits.
The embassy synopsis Of the latest
communication indicates that the de
facto government has sought to bring
Its side Of the diplomatic correspond
ence up to date. 1t Is framed as a re-
ply both to the American note refus-
ing to entertain any request for the
Immediate withdrawal Of American
troops from Mexico and to the latter
stern demands presented after the
Carrizal incident for release of the
prisoners taken In that fight and for a
formal diplomatic statement of inten-
tions. In both Of these documents
Secretary Lansing sharply reprimand-
ed the de facto government for fall
ure to observe ordinary diplomatic
usages. His first note resented charges
of bad faith. political intriguing and
the like. openly stated in the Mexican
demand for withdrawal; the second
tersely notified the de facto govern
ment that the United States expected
to receive diplomatic communications
through diplomatic channels, not
Through subordinate military COM
manders.
These were the first American COM
munications to the de facto govern
ment In which anything but wholly
friendly language was employed.
In view of this situation, officials
believe the language and general
tone of the present Carranza note Will