The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-05-02
CARRANzA
FEARS HIS
AUTHORITY
IS WANING
That Is Real Reason for Re-
questing Withdrawal.
De FactO Minister Appeals to
Washington Officials.
MEXICAN POPULATION UNEASY
Growing Suspicion Over Pres
ence of L. S. Troops.
But That Z. S. Soldiers VIII Re-
main Is Settled.
That Is Real Reason for Re-
queSting Withdrawal.
De FactO Minister Appeals to
Washington Officials.
MEXICAN POPULATION UNEASY
Growing Suspicion Over Pres
ence of L. S. Troops.
But That Z. S. Soldiers Will Re-
main Is Settled.

Washington. May Generals Scott
and Funston at the border today had
further instructions from Secretary
Baker on which it was expected they
would resume negotiations with Cen
eral Obregon, Carranza's ; war minister
These orders telegraphed last night do
not alter the administration attitude
toward the withdrawal of the troops
from Mexican territory. it was said.
Although no formal demand has
been made by representatives of the de
facto government for the withdrawal
of the American troops the Mexican
minister in discussing affairs with
American officers here is laying en-
phasis on the declaration that longer
occupation by American troops is re-
ducing the de facto governments au-
thority.
After a conference with Secretary
Lansing yesterday he declared that the
suspicion is growing arEonS the Mex
ican people that American soldiers are
remaining now for some other purpose
than to pursue Villa bandits. He stat
ed that there is no doubt Villas power
is completely crushed, even if the ban
dit leader is not dead. Consequently,
the Americans have no good reason
for continuing their occupation, he de-
clared.
Renew Conference Today.
Ell Paso, May with the question
of immediate withdrawal definitely
disposed of in the latest instructions
from Secretary Baker. the conference
of Generals Scott, Funston and Obre-
gon here today on future American
troops movements in Mexico appeared
to reach a concrete and perhaps flnai
stage.
It was the opinion of the American
conferees that the second meeting with
General ObrcGon and General TreVino
would come in the afternoon and 1t
was believed possible that the object of
the conference might then be realized
Basis for this belief was not eX-
plaiTfed except ir supposit1on that ne
gotiations are nearing phase where
only an acceptance or rejection Of one
or the other sides proposals is posi-
BILE. General Scott and General Fun
stOn were busy until late hour last
night DECIDING dispatches from Wash
ineton.
What Docs "Imlncdiate" Mean?
Well Informed persons here are in
clined to place considerable stress on
Secretary Ba ker's use of the word i'm
mediate in connection with with
drawal. They interpret the assertion
that there could be no agreement
reached by the conference on the ba-
sis of an immediate retirement as
meaning that the United States might
consider withdrawal after a reason
able length of time providing that in
the meantime the object of the eXpe-
ditionary force was accomplished
through sincere cooperation by the
Mexican army with the Americans.
Confer This Afternoon.
Eel Paso, May General Scott an
nounced at noon that the second con-
ference with General Obregon will be
held this afternoon on the American
side of the international boundry line.
The United States immigration office
at the international bridge has been
selected as the place for holding the
conference.