The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-07-27
Villa at Head of Half-Starved
Banditry Can Be Easily
Handled
US. TROOPS MOST
DISTURBING FACTOR
First Chief Favors Effective
Border Patrol. But American
Troops on Mexican Soil De-
lay Country Pacihcation

Mexico City, July 26,-Generai Car
paper correspondent. discussed the
conference to be held between the
delegates representing Mexico and
those of the United States for the
purpose of reaching an arrangement
relative to the withdrawal of the
American troops now in Mexico and
patrolling the frontier in such a man
ner as 10 prevent further border
raids. General Carranza also dis
cussed the economical, political and
military situation IN Mexico.
Late papers from the Unred
States" said General Cnrrsuza, de
clare that my government Is threaten
ed on the north ey an army OF 1900
men, leo by villa. Nho Is threa tening
the city OF Torreon. On the south,
they say. / am 10 be attacked 10y an
army led by Ieactionarie5 and clert-
Gals with plenty oi money ami men
Well. all ! can say u, LET them come
ana ! viii knock them on the head
xingly or united. as / have done be
fore
AS matter OF fact. you know
perfectly well that Villa il followed
BY q few ll-teG. miserable bandits
AMI the rePlted army OF the south
Is myth. But even II these two
imaginative armies have existed in
lac. ! nuve every confidence THAI nay
ogtn Soldlers viii take care Of them.
az they did Ia the time OF Huert8,
NJ, / started without men and
money ana drove the dictator from
tuat villa, with his great army, crBru-
bied up and melted away before our
attacks ana any other uprislngs wi.l
he handled IN like manner by me.
American Troops Bother Carranxa
" hat is hothering US at the pres
ent TIME Is the presence OF American
troops on Mexican soil This IS hin
der!nG our work of Reconstruction
and parifcauon, because II gives en-
couragement 70 the lawless elements
nf oup population. II IS TO oDy!att
: shfs that the coming conference vii
be held
4 cannot spe. k in detail OF this
conference until my government re-
eeives the reply or the United states
government TO the note. July II last,
suggesting that such a meeting be
held
WsA this conference be limited TO
the question OF the withdra wal OF the
American troops p General Carranza
was asked
That is a question that l cannot
answer definitely at this time" replied
the first chief. But you can he as
sured thai the withdrawal Of the
troops and the vigilance OF the border
are the points of prime interest for
the Mexican government Whether
or not the delegates VIII take a wider
field in their exchange of ideas is a
matter which Will. perhaps. be de-
cided later.
Guards Along the Border
When asked as to Mexico's proposal
regarding the protection Of the border.
General Carranza said that an effec-
tive patrol on either side OF the line
by the respective troops OF the two
countries would solve the question of
further ineursions. and that Mexico
was ready TO follow the lead of the
United states In so stationtnR men. II
Is understood that the details OF this
plan have already been drawn up and
will be presented at the conference
which is to be held early next month.
Askedabout the coming general cleo
ton, General Carranza said that MUM
clpal elections would be held through
out the republic on the first Sunday
by general elections in October 10 se-
lect deputies to a congress to be held
In the city OF Queretaro in December
or January. This congress will con-
slider constitutional amendments 20
meet the aims of the present revolu-
tionary movement
General Carranza was asked If he
would be candidate for the presi-
dency at the elections following the
constitutional convention. He paused
before replying. and then said, smil-
ingly. Il cannot answer that question
at this time. but legally / have III ,
same right to be a candidate ms any
other citizen OF Mexico"
No Special Privileges.
Questioned regarding the reception
Of American capital and enterprises
during the period of reconstruction.
General Carranza answered that they
would receive the same welcome as In
the days before the revolution with
this distinction, that whereas in the
past much foreign capital received
special privileges not allowed to Mex
leans. In the present and future all cap
ital will have an equal opportunity
under the law.
V.ARCE SHE'LL, ORnE.YS UTI,