Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-04-25
DE FACTO HEAD WANTS
EARLY REPLY FROM U. S.
Lansing Anxious for Advisers Of
Two Governments to Confer
Before Sending Answer.
EACH TO EXPLAIN ATTITUDE
to Make Position Secure for
Stay of ANY Length.

WASHINGTON. April 2i.--Further
developments in the pursuit OF Villa
and the relations between the United
States and the dc facto government OF
Mexico now await personal discussion
of these subjects by the senior military
advisers of the two governments.
a conference between Major-General
Scott. chief OF staff. and General 0bre-
goI, Minister Of War of the dc facto
government. was arranged late to-day
to take place probably in Juarez. Cen
eral Scott is now in san Antonio. Texas,
and General Obrcgon is thought to be
already on his way north from Mex
leo City. They may meet Tomorrow or
next day.
Announcement that General Carranza
had agreed to the conference was made
by Eliseo Arredondo Mexican ambas-
sador -designate, who paid a visit to
Secretary Lansing to-day to c6mmuni-
cate the fact. Secretary Baker was
promptly Informed, and the infornla-
tion transmitted to General Scott.
Mr.. Arredondo visited the State De-
pnrtment first to ask the State Depart
ment for on early reply 20 the dc facto
governments note of April II in regard
to the withdrawal OF American troops
could only say that negotiations for
the conference between the two gem
erals were In progress III Mexico, and
he was hopeful that it could be ar
ranged. Secretary Lansing is UNDER
stood TO have made IL plain that tho
Washington government was anxious
that General Scott talk the situation
over with General Obregon before
formal answer was prepared. On his
return to the embassy. Mr.. Arredondo
found a message announcing that Cen
eral obregon would go TO the border.
It was said that while no word had
come that General Obreson was on his
way to the border. there was reason to
believe he had left Mexico City
rLAN FAVORED BOTH by
WAN AND STATE OFFICIALS
The meeting was suggested first after
General Scott had started TO the border
on his mission which resulted in the
authorization for the redisposition OF
the American troops In Mexico The
plan was favored by both War and
State Department officials. and Special
Agent Rodgers was asked to present 1t
to General Carranza. Because Of tho
latters alleged jealousy of his War
Minister, some officers doubted that the
conference could be arranged. The
subject apparently provoked consid-
cradle discussion In Mexico City be-
fore it was decided that General Obre-
gon should go to the border
General Scott has an cnviable and
unusual record for conducting friendly
negotiations. The arrangements OF a
neutral zone at Nnco, Sonora. during
lighting between Carranza and Villa
troops, later conference with Villa,
which resulted in the release Of Amer
ican goods detained by him and the
1u"iiing OF IN uprising OF Piute In
d'ans IN Ctah are recent examples OF
his skill as diplomat. lie is known
10 nave believed that greater degree
of cooperation could be secured from
the Carranza forces IL personal con-
ference with any OF the leading COM
mhndcrS could be arranged
General Scott will he able to nrcsc,r
TO General Obrcgon the reasons behind
every move that has been made and
give him personal assurances that
PRESIDENT Wilson and his advisers
nave no thought OF doing anything
more than protect American interests
aionG the border from Mexican bandit
operations. In return it is expected
General Obrcgon will he able 10 throw
htuch light on the problems that face
inc de facto governments
Pcuding the Forthcoming confer.,c.
General Funston viii carry ont his
piahS Tor readiustinE his lines in
MeN'co so as 10 make the position OF
MS troops secure for a stay of any
length Secretary Eakcr reiterated TO-
daH that General Funston has full, dis
erection, aud the department here NAV
h"i hc informed as to just what points
were chosen for assembling The forces
nhtii after the troop movements had
been ordered
MOST Or AMERICAN TROOPS
IN CASAS GtANDEs VICINITY
most OF the American troops ara
now In tho vicinity Of Casas C;randes.
100 miles south OF the border and 400
miles north of General Pershins's most
advanced column near Parral 1t is re-
ported that this camp IL now located
ut adela' small village not far from
iarrnL Officers here would not be sur-
rrised If the rcdisposition saw all thcsa
outlying commands brought northward
to the casas Grandcs region. whess thoy