The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-18
Washington Hears Party Mastered Was Assured
 of Safety by Carranza
THINK TT WILL BE
 DIFFICULT TO PROVE
No Further General Discussion of Mexican Affairs in Congress. Fl Paso Awaits Train
 Bearing Refugees

Washington, January 17-Whether the Carranza government in Mexico is to be held responsible by the United States for the death of the American mining men slain by bandits near Santa Ysabel may depend upon the outcome of an investi- gation of circumstantial story which, reached the state department today. tell ing how the murdered Americans had been assured safe conduct by Carrauza authorities
 Officials indicated clearly tonight, how ever that the evidence so far was not conclusive and that no decision would be reached pending a thorough inquiry. They pointed out also that should Carranza eventually be held responsible. that would not mean a break in this governments relations with him. though it would re- suit in a demand for indemnity. in addi- tion to punishment of the murderers, al- ready demanded and promised
 COMES FROM COBB
 The story of the safe conducts came from Collector Cobb at Fl Paso, whose dispatch repeated a statement "by per- son connected with one of the companies operating in Chihuahua This informant said that before the departure of the Americans from Chihuahua he had been told by c. R. Watson, head of the party and one of those killed. that the trip had been arranged after Carranza authorities had given Watson a personal passport and had issued a general passport for the others Watson, it was said had been assured, in addition by the authori- ties that no military escort was necessary in that region
 The general disposition of state depart- ment officials is to regard this story as difficult of proof. T. H. Holmes the cnly survivor of the party. has advised the department that if any safe conducts were granted it was without his knowledge
 The dispatch from Collector Cobb, and whatever the department gathers to sup port or disprove it. will be among the data to be submitted to the Senate for eign rotations committee, probably fate2 this week, Tn response to Senator ITali's resolution asking for information regard ing conditions in Mexico. This data is expected to influence the Senate directly when it is called upon within few days to ratify the nomination of Henry F. Fletcher as ambassador to General Car ranza' $ government
 NO FIREWORKS IN CONGRESS-
 There was no further general discussion of Mexican affairs in Congress today. though Senator Gore, a democrat intro- duced a resolution to establish a neutral zone along the border policed by Mexican and United States troops. and Senator Pondexter, a republican, briefly criti- cized the administrations Mexican policy in the course of a speech on the floor of the Senate.
 A dispatch today from American Consul Silliman at Queretaro announced that the de facto government had offered a re ward in gold for capture of the bandits who committed the Santa Ysabel mur- ders. Another to the Mexican embassy from General Carianza said that F Amer ican citizens in Chihuahua had sent to General Trevino, commander of the Car ranza troops assigned to the bandit hunt a telegram of thanks for his activities.
 American consular agents in districts still regarded as unsafe are continuing their efforts to induce Americans to leave. Consul General Hanna at Monterey, re- porting today the safe arrival there of party of American miners from Durango added that at his request additional Car. ranza troops had been stationed at Mon. terey to insure the safety of foreigners
 MT Silliman's dispatch told also ot
 tContinued on Page Two)