Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1916-06-27
Presidents Demand For Re
lease of Prisoners De-
Iivered Yesterday
If NOT RELEASED ARMY
WILL Be SENT FOR THEM
Mexican Secretary Told That
An Immediate Reply Is
Imperative
By Robert ]. Bender.

united Press staff correspondent
Washington, June 27.-President Viii
son s patience in awaiting release Of
American prisoners in chihuahua CITY
is limited to hours, not days
1t may be stated that a definite re-
ply from General Carranza relative to
his attitude is expected not later than
tomorrow night
The state department has been in
formed the president IS demands were
delivered to Mexican Minister of For
eign Affairs Aguilar yesterday. 1t is
understood Consul Rodgers suggested to
Aguilar that an Immediate reply''
was imperative
What lies beyond this, officials will
not DISCUSS The program of possible ae-
tion was taken up by the cabinet to-
day 1t is understood, that, in tho event
of Carranza's refusal to rolease the.
prisoners taken in the CarrizaI battle,
President Wilson will ask congress to
permit use of armed forces of the Uni
ted States to get the troopers.
Prisoners Free First.
Cabinet officers, before going into
session today with President Wilson
were determined that Carranza must
make quick answer to American DO
mands. A limit in days or hours was
not set, but members felt 0arrarz,L
should not be permitted more than twu
days provided the United States note
was delivered to him yesterday as an
ticipated.
The first chiefs attitude could only
be Donjectured. The guesses in Official
quarters were that he would be nono
too conciliatory and that he might Rorel
trouble. At any rate, Cabinet men said,
his answer is the determining element
in the situation rather than the indi-
cation that perhaps American forces
were partly provocative of the CaTrizal
battle. /
Carranza's refusal to release the
American prisoners in Chihuahua City
Or an unfriendly statement OF attitude
toward future relations with the United
States doubtless would cause immedi-
ate visitation of the "gravest eonse-
quences" which President Wilson
threatened. On the other hand, COM
pliance with the request that favor
able intent toward this government be
proved will smooth out u trOublOus
situation.
Secretary Of War Baker reported bis
supplemental order cutting red tape and
permitting national guardsmen to move
more rapidly toward the border. His
documents showed mobilization and
troop movements satisfactory.
Secretary Lansing's report on Heiec-
tion of the Bolivian mediation offer
was approved with the added decision
that the Mexican problem for the pres
ent, at least, is beyond the mediation
stage
President Wilson Is anxious TO avoid
trouble with the de facto government If
he can do so honorably. In this feeling
he has the support Of the nation, admin
istration men said today.
f'm other difficulties there has been
q great national upheayal for wal"
said an army man today. "In this one,
however, the nation has no war spirit.
There is no upheaval and II the presi-
dent can avoid war he win have the
country behind him. r."
After the cabiaet session, IL was
said Carranza 3 reply 10 the United
States demands had not arrived and
tat no outline Of it was before the
administration. Should the answer
prove unsatisfactory. it is believed
President Wilson will appear before
congress at once asking for use OF the
armed forces as he sees necessary and
at the same time sending Oauanza an
I,1timotuu demanding the relgage of
the American prisoners in Chihuahua.
Officials believe Carranzais answer
may be here by night. At any rate lt
was felt tomorrow night should be the
"dead line" for its receipt.