The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1916-04-30
Gen. Scott, 1t Is Declared,
VIII Insist Upon Time to
Disperse Robber Bands.
CONFERENCE LASTS TWO HOURS
Farley Between ENJOYS Will Be Re
newed Today-Mexican War Min
ister's Demands Unqualified.
By II. III. sTANsBURY.
0nternational News Serviee.)

Il Paso, Tex, April Z9.-Mexican
Minister of War Alyaro Obregon. in
conference with Maj. Gems. Hugh L.
Scott and Frederick Funston over the
Mexican situation this afternoon asked
for the immediate withdrawal of the
punitive expedition. He said by no
other course could war between his
people and the United States be avert
ed.
The first demand was made without
qualifications. The American gener-
ais, however. expect the Mexican Of
fetal to ultimately yield to an agree
ment for a reasonable time limit.
Scott to Demand Time.
1t is the known purpose of Gen.
Scott to insist upon sufficient time to
disperse the bandits and restore order
In Northern Mexico. In this connec-
tion he will demand as evidence of
good faith on the part of the de facto
goysrnment. permission to use the rail-
roads.
The FIRST session of the conference OPEN
ed IN the Juarez customs house at 5:Os
O'Clock and ended at O'Clock this even
ing. While waiting for the American gen.
erals to arrive. one Of Gen. obregon's
stan officers said:
Gen. Obregon has but one instruction
from the de facto government-that Is to
demand the withdrawal of the American
unitfve expedition from Mexican soil a;
once. He will take up no other matters.
War Only Alternative.
In the event Gems. Scott and Funston
refuse this and insist on the troops re-
naming longer in Mexico and demand
cooperation Of Carranza soldiers there
will be var. obregon will go to join his
to fight the common enemy-the United
States,
There will be no extension OF time
granted by obregon for the withdrawal.
This attitude is made imperative by pub
lie sentiment in the interior Of Mexico.
This sentiment is so strong that in the
event of any other course. obregon's star
would set, and the constitutional cause
be lost forever"
The second conference between Gems.
Scott and Obregon will take place tenor
row morning at the United States imlni-
grafton station. near the International
Bridge. The hour for the meeting has
not been definitely set
Gen. Gabriel Gavira met Gems. Scott
and Funston at the International Bridge
with a military escort as on the occasion
of the first call, made last night. Gen.
Obregon, with his chief Of stan, Gen.
serrano and Gems. Jacinto Trevino and
Gales. were waiting in the reception
room OF the custom house when the
American conferees arrived.
obregon Talks First.
With amazing lack of delay, Gems.
Scott and Funston were conducted to
seats. Gen. Funston sat with Gen. Scott
on his right and by the side of the lat
ter was an interpreter.
As soon as the sound of moving chairs
had ceased, Gen. obregon began to talk,
Consul Garcia acting as interpreter. Gen.
Scott leaned forward with elbows resting
en- his knees and listened intently, look
Ing the Mexican minister Of war square
ly in the face the while.
Gen. obregon talked for fully fifteen
minutes before Gen. Scott made a move
or changed his position in the slightest
Gen. Scott uttered no word, but shook
his head from side to side negatively and
decisiyely.
Gen. Funston sat well back in his chair
with one hand clasped tightly over the
other. but took no part in the talk other
than to smile from time to time.
This pantomine. which could be OBJ
served through an open doorway, was
all that could be learned OF the actual
details while the conference was in pro-
gress
At the end Of the FIRST thirty minutes
Consul Edwards. whose headquarters are
in Juarez, rushed in and let il be known
that he had an important telegram for
Gen. obregon. It was understood the
message came from Washington. Gen.
ooregon opened and read 1t. then passed
It to Gems. Scott and Funston, neither Of
whom made any comment