Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-12-17
VILLA ASKS CONFERENCE
WITH GENERAL SCOTT
Second Mysterious Envoy From Mex.
lean Bandit Arrives at
I'll PaSO
COMPLETE CHANGE OF HEART
Wants to Discuss With American
Army Officer Question of Policing
Border and Protection OF Lives
and Property OF Americans.

Ell PASO. TENAS, December l5-
Major-General Hugh Scott relative TO
policing the border and the protection
OF the lives and property OF Americans
and other foreigners. according to the
bandit. who, conccaling his identity,
arrived here to-day.
The second mysterious envoy from
the bandit conferred with General Bell
and State Department special agents
The courier quoted Villa as SAYING that
General Scott, unhampered, could have
settled the Mexican situation long ago
and could have prevented bloodshed and
revolution.
Villa and General Scott long have
been friends. They had several con-
ferences In I;l Paso before Villa lost the
friendship of the United States through
his raids on Columbus and elsewhere.
Villa sent word that he had no ami
mostly towards any Americans except
Dollar diplomats. who arc trucking
and kowtowing to Carranza."
According to the envoy. Villa is SUI
preme in the States OF Chihuahua.
Coahuila and Durango, and Is ap-
preaching supremacy in Sonora with
the complete overthrow OF Carranza at
hand.
Villas latest alleged proposals.
through the two envoys who have ap-
pcared hcrc with olive branches in their
hands. is considered n com p!cte change
OF heart from the lurid manifesto which
was ostensibly Issued by the bandit
chieftain while he occupied Chihuahua
w oh
week ago tonight. The messages borne
by the envoys are taken to mean that
Villa has no intention of attacking
Pcrshing, and also seeks to disavow
any completely in the raids upon Co
lumbus and Santa Ysabel.
SUCH CONFERENCE WOULD
IMPLY RECOGNITION
Military men here have received an
unofficial communication from Wash
ington that General Scott is. willing to
confer with Villa. bu; officials on the
border are inclined TO minimize that
possibility. in view OF the fact that
such II conference would imply rccoS-
milton OF the bandit.
Villas alleged attitude. as outlined
by his pacific cnvoys. does not har-
monize with the recent murders OF
Fisher. Gray and Sinmann.
1t is reported that Villa has de-
stroyed enough railroad track in the
State Of chihuahua to prevent any
Carranza troops from moving. and that
the chieftain has enough men To at
tack Torrcon and chihuahua city si-
mul,aneously. Tho cutting OF the
Mexico Southwestern Railroad and ALL
telegraph communication between
Jaurez and Chihuahua City is laid TO
some Carranza officials who are known
TO be operating north of Chihuahua.
Others declare that the Ozuna factions
had cut the communications. \ feeling
OF uncas;ness is apparent. the majority
! city.
defenses Of chihuahua City are the
weakest in the state Of chihuahua.
owing TO the inner strife between the
Carrauza officials and the dissatisfac-
tion among the men. The cutting of
communications also leaves tho fate OF
Torrcon in doubt, as IT Is known here
that villa was planning TO attack that
point immediately. However. a courier
to Juare1 reports that General Macottc
in charge Of the garrison at Torreon.
commands Il heavy force. which is loyal
to him because he is pleutifully sup
piled with money.
The fact that General Trcvino is to
he executed for treason is not doubted
in Juarea. 1t is officially admitted that
General Trcvino is under arrest and
en- route for court martial The charges
against HIM are coWardice and high
treason for permitting Villa TO take