Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-05-03
Gen. Scott Reported
to Be Gaining Point
Over Gen. 0bregon
United States Official Peace Maker Brings Car
rama Representative Across Border for Long
Conference in Room on Eighth Floor of Hotel

FL Paso. May o.-Marked progress
toward an agreement was made today
by the American and Mexican con-
ferees considering United States
troops disposition in Mexico, according
to unofficial but authoritative advices.
1t is believed now the matter may be
threshed out in the next day or so.
This program was due to the fact, it
was said, that Gen. Obregon, repre-
senting the de facto Mexican govern
ment had concluded there was no pos
sibility of allowing the intention of
the Washington government not to
withdraw Gen. Pershing's expedition
airy force Immediately.
mutual Good Will"
AT s o'clock tonight, eight hours af-
ter his conference with Gen. Obregon
began, Gen. Hugh l.. Scott. chief of
staff of the United States army, hand
ed the following to the Associated
Press:
I'VE are still comforting in a spirit
of mutual good will and hope to ar
rive at solution that will be salts
factory to both of our governments.
There will be nothing more for publ
cation"
and Scott"
The attitude of the Mexican min
lister of war is believed to have been
described by a Mexican official who
took part in the first conference in
Juarez, who is closely conversant with
the entire situation and who said:
Between two evils you must choose
the lesser. 1t would be folly to sup
pose the de facto government desires
war"
1t was gathered from this that the
Mexicans had decided not to press the
question Of withdrawal with the pos
sibility that a break might follow.
Come to FL Paso
The negotiations today took an I'M
expected turn. In the morning, it was
that there probably would
be meeting of the conferees in the
afternoon. At noon, however. Gen.
Scott walked unattended from his pri-
waite car to the hotel Pazo Del Norte.
about the same time Gen. Obregon
crossed over from Juarez in his tour
liz Cal anu pIoCetutu " tie SdIilf
place.
Arriving at the hotel. Gen. Scott and
Gen. Obregon went to a room on the
eighth floor.
At this meeting, which began at noon
and lasted into the night, Gen. Scott is
reported to have employed the same tao
tics which have won for him the reputa-
ton of being the official peacemaker of
the Washington government.
He is said to have indicated to Gen.
Obregon these things:
That the United States Is the best
friend Mexico has.
That President Wilson only wishes to
see Mexico rid of Villa outlaws and as
soon as this is accomplished the Ameri-
can troops will be withdrawn.
That it appears that the attitude Of the
United States government has not been
understood, since. far from seek
ing Intervention, that Is the very thing
1t wishes to avoid.
That. finally. the majority Of the Amer
lean people and even the military are in
accord with President Wilson's desire to
avoid Intervention.
In addition to giving Gen. Obregon this
Gen. Scott is reported to
have assured him that the United States
government had been informed that the
Villa element still was very strong In
Chihuahua and Durango and it felt that
1t must take every precaution against
the repetition of such incidents as the
Columbus raid.
Washington. he is asserted to have said
planned to pursue to the end the task it
had begun by sending Cen Pershng into
Mexico and naturally desired the cooper
alton of the Carranza government since
that would hasten the day of withdrawal
The negotiations went on slowly and de-
iberately. AS the afternoon wore on and
the conference did not end, the report
spread that Gen. Scott was gaining his
point
Night came and it became apparent
that the negotiations could not he ended
before tomorrow