Evening star., 1916-04-24
Carranza Asks Early Reply
to Recent Note Requesting
Withdrawal of U. S. Troops

Gen. CarranZa mas dskeu ior an
early reply to his note of April l..
suggesting that American troops he
recalled from Mexico. This was learned
officially today in connection with the
fact that Elseo Arredondo, Mexican
ambassador designate. sought an in
terview with Secretary Lansing. State
Department officials declined to dis
cuss the matter.
The Mexican embassy stated that
the request had not been transmitted
through Mr.. Arredondo so far as
known there. IL is understood to have
been made directly by Gen Carranza
through Special Agent Rodgers at
Mexico City. a reply also would be
sent through Mr.. Rodgers.
Confirmation of the capture by Car
ranZa troops of Pablo Lopez. Villas
chief lieutenant reached the state De-
psrtment today from Consul Letcher
at Chihuahua. The message said Lo-
pez was being held in jail there until
American officials or army ofncers
could talk TO him and satisfy, them
selves of his identity.
U. s. May Draw in Lines.
Withdrawal of the advanced Ameri-
can forces in Mexico to the Casas
Grandes region, 100 miles south of the
border. is regarded by War Depart
nent oficials as the possible purpose
of the redistribution of the troops
Gen. Funston has been authorized to
make Secretary Baker made IL clear
today, however. that Gen. Funston had
been given fun discretion and that he
was not advised specifically of the
steps to be taken. The greater part OF
Gen. Pershinss forces is now near
Casas Grandes.
fhat hA
tirement suggested would cut the COM
munication lines to 100 miles from the
present border base. The shorter line
could he maintained with ease. they said,
regardless of the use of railroads or
weather conditions or OF the attitude of
Carranza military commanders. Tie
American forces would then be able TO
take care of themselves without undue
risk. whatever the Developments In
Mexico They would also be able to
defend border towns.
II Gen. Funston's purpose is to es'ao-
Esh his advance lines around Casas
Grandes. strip of territory 500 miles
long would be relinQuished, as the pres-
ent most advanced American post is
near Parral. 400 miles south of the bor
der. II is in this territory that Cen.
Carranza would be required to demon
STRAIT. his ability to secure complete
control to stamp out brigandage. and.
IL possible, to capture or kill Villa be-
pOFe n compete ITOHl McAiSO
would be ordered.
influence of the Troops.
The presence OF troops in Mexico
probably will have a decided influence
upon diplomatic negotiations with
Gen. Carranza. Some officials believe
that IL a considerable part of the ter
ritory now covered by American forces
is turned back to the de facto govern
ment to police. the CarranZa forces
will be spurred to great activity in
chasing ba ndits. They anticipate. that
the cooperation of the American
troops in this work would be eagerly
sought il Villa should be headed north,
making certain the determination OF the
band between the two military forces
and without danger to American bor-
der towns.
Eliseo Arredondo. Carranza's ambas-
sador- designate, sought an interview
with Secretary Lansing today in regard
TO the governments plan to permit Gen.
Funston to redispose his forces. The
ambassador was interested to know
how this might affect the negotiations
for the withdrawal OF the American
troops. While the de facto government
has been informed that the United
States was prepared to discuss this
matter il has progressed no further.
II was believed Mr.. Arredondo would
be told that while there was no change
In this governments friendly purposes.
there was also no change in its de-
termination to see that raids on Amer
lean border towns by Mexican bandits
be prevented.