The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1916-05-13
no PROGRESS N kaeIllIIoHs
CONFERENCE OF SCOTT AND
OBREGON SEEMS 10 HAVE
ACCOMPLISHED LITTLE.
Mcxicans Hope to Have Part or
American Force W1kh1tawn From
Mexico. II They Cnnle( Get Definate
Date for Removal Sf ifn6are BODY
Obreson Waiting ~ eSranza.

OoEegoM waiting on 9tranza.
Ell Pas,. rsxas. M 10 Nesotia-
tions over American - j ispositions
in Mexico made no SpIress today.
Gen. Obregon awaited I'd from Gen.
Carranza 40 to the c1l e he lie to
pursue ana when instrue tns did not
come. conferences prsp4sed for this
morning was postpcnsd hHtil tomor-
row.
Failing in efforts to A ! = definite
date of withdrawal setss sitSwas report
ed tonight that the MSxiSan govern
ment may next try to hSte part Of
the American troops 4n out at
once. leaving the renSi Ger to CO.
operate with the forces N - de facto
government in the phr3ait OF villa
groups.
The report. which ccuId3 hot be con-
irmed. had it that ths 9icans be-
lieve the sise Of 0cn rtfsk ktns,s army
Is out Of All proportion w ~ mission
1.-THE externination Of HsfSw hundred
bandits and that q mitch smaller
force would answer tina purpose. A
partial Withdrawal, It i ex6ped. would
have good political tsauenee in
Mexico. 3 -
II this plan were rs5 I'D. 1t was
indicated tonight. the 64oans were
likely to decide that fnf4l y attempts
to alter the position tf V United
States would be useless IA lt was be-
leved they then would S1f6s to the
proposals Of the An1sSi ian govern-
ment. sshs y x IA
In an authoritative dueffer tonight
the belief was sxprsssed that tomor-
rows meeting would bs tn last of the
conference and, that GSnS obregon
would inderseSths tsntatfta asreemant
with perhaps : few mia5 ehanses.
Asked whethsr ,toTnors meeting
would sbs fnAa. Cen. Obrlgpn raid:
"I dospot Fnowi there mioht be 9TH
|er mestings.s y ~ I,
!, la shs srsss. = 81 7 l1 =.
<i06. H0w. itS1ds - 36ift = /. ssx 20
Gen. Scott ana Gem Funston ARE
unalterabiy opposed - any agreement
which sets q date for American with
drawal from Mexico. However. the
American conferees are listening to
all proposals the Mexican minister Of
war may make while whiting for him
to realize that the Intentions Of the
American goyernment ine. Mexico are
immovable. .a
In the meantime Gen. Obregon's
proposal for a joint troop patrol Of
the border is not given serious con-
sideration. although it was reported to
Washington.
The American conferees. it is said.
doubt IL the de facto government can
muster sufficient forces to form a pa
troll Of the sort outlined and at the
same time carry on its campaign
against the Zapata and villa forces.
While the situation Is still regarded
as serious here, one circumstance
points to an easing of the tenson. Al
though Gen. Funston is urgently need
ed at Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio,
to direct the mobilization and disposi-
tion Of the additional troops ordered
to the border. Gen. Scott advised
that he remain here for the confer
ence. 1t was pointed out that the
American chief of staff hardly would
keep his fellow conferee away from
his headquarters If the situation i'm
peratively demanded any important
military preparations. In the mean
time. however, Gen. Pershing Is said
to have received orders materially to
lessen his line Of communication and
to draw in all scattered detachme nts.
Colonia Dublan Is reported to be the
objective OF the northward retiring
columns.