The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-04-30
'Mexicans Inclined Only to Discuss Withdrawal of
 Troops-Americans Have
 Not Authority to Do So
MEETING IS HELD TO DEVISE PLANS FOR
 COOPERATION ONLY
Conditions Set Forth Upon Which Americans Would Agree Not to Penetrate Further Into Mexico

Fl Paso, April 29.--Two conflicting propositions developed immediately after the beginning in the Mexican customs house in Juarez late today oi the conference to decide the future dis position of the American expeditionary forces in Mexico. They are understood temporarily to have increased the gravity of the negotiations.
 In addition another factor is be- 1ieved to have been injected into the situation by the receipt of fresh re- ports that Francisco Villa is dead.
 Mexican Consul Andres Garcia said Col. Carlos Carranza had telegraphed him from Cusihuiriachic that he had been unable to find Villas body. but that he had established beyond dis pute that the bandit leader was dead and he hoped to recover the body in a few days. The telegram said all the evidence tended to confirm the death of Villa
 This telegram is understood to have been laid before the conferees, but none would confirm or deny it.
 USED VILLAS ROOM
 The initial meeting, which lasted two hours, was held behind closed doors in the room which Villa used as his council chamber when he domi- noted northern Mexico. Another con ference will be held tomorrow, this time in Fl Paso. Generals Scott and Funston represented the United States. The Mexican conferees were General Obregon, Mexican minister of war, and General Trevino, military commander of the northeast district of Mexico. The progress of the negotiations was not diyulged, but from an authorita- tive source two things were learned,
 First, that the Mexican representa- tiyes reiterated the wish expressed in General Carranza's recent note to the Washington government that the American troops should be withdrawn from Mexicon soil at an early date.
 Second that they were informed by the American officials that the latter were not empowered to discuss with drawal. It is understood the Arnerican representatives told the Mexican of ficials that if the de facto government insisted on an American withdrawal the conference would go into a deadlock and the whole matter would divert to diplomatic discussion.
 PLAN OF COOPERATION
 The Mexicans. it is understood, were further informed that the purpose of the conference. so far as the United States is concerned. is the development of a specific plan for the cooperation of the American and de facto armies in wiping out the bandit groups that have caused so much bloodshed along the border
 It is understood that General Obregon, prior to the conference, openly expressed a disinclination to discuss any other sub- ject than withdrawal and that he carried this attitude into the initial meeting.
 After the primary issue had been preached, however, he is reported to have carried out the intention he announced shortly after his arrival on Friday of meeting Generals Scott and Funston "half way
 The attitude of secretiveness gave rise to all sorts of speculation tonight. Mex allowing the Americans to do all the talk ing. The latter refused all but the most inconsequential information regarding developments.
 Tn well informed quarters, however,
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