Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-07-26
CARRANZA TELLS
WHERE HE STANDS
CONTINUED from First Page1

a manner as to prevent further bor-
der raids. General Carranza also dis
cussed the economical, political and
military situation in Mexico. Late
papers from the United States" said
General Carranza, declare that my
government is threatened on the north
ny an army of fifteen thousand men
led by Villa, who is threatening the
city of Torreon. On the south, they
say, l am to be attacked by an army
led by reactionaries and clericals, with
plenty of money and men. Well, all l
can say is, let them come, and | will
knock them on the head, singly or
united, as l have done before.
AS a matter of fact, you know per-
tectly well that Villa is followed by
few ill-fed miserable bandits, and
the reputed army of the south is a
myth. But, even if these two imagin-
ative armies have existed in fact, L
soldiers VIII take care of them, as
they did in the time of Huerta, when
started without men and money and
drove the dictator from power. You
may remember also that Y lila with his
great army crum Dled up and melted
away before our attacks and any other
uprising will be handled in a like man
ner by me.
What is bothering us at the present
time is the presence of American
troops on Mexican soil. This is him
dering our work OF reconstruction
and pacification, because it gives en-
couragement to the lawless elements
of our population. 1t is to obviate
this that the coming conference will
be held.
Il cannot speak in detail of this con-
terence until my government receives
the reply of the United States govern
ment TO the note sent on July IL last,
suggesting that such a meeting be
held"
will this conference be limited to
the questions of the withdrawal of the
American troops?' General Carranza
was asked.
That is a question which l cannot
answer definitely at this time" re-
piled the first chief, but you can be
assured that the withdrawal of the
troops and the vigilance of the border
are the points OF prime interest for
the Mexican government. Whether
the delegates will take a wider field in
their exchange of ideas is a matter
which will perhaps be decided later.
Asked as to Mexico's proposal re-
garding the protection of the border,
General Carranza replied that an ef-
fective patrol on either side of the
line by the respective troops of the two
countries would solve the question of
further incursions and that Mexico
was ready to follow the lead of the
United States in so stationing men. 1t
is understood that the details of this
plans have already been drawn up and
will be presented at the conference
which is to be held early next month.
General Carranza said that munich
pal elections would be held throughout
the republic on the first Sunday in
September. These will be followed by
general elections in October to select
deputies to Congress to be held in
the city of Queretaro in December or
January. This congress will consider
constitutional amendments to meet
the aims of the present revolutionary
movement.
General Carranza was asked if he
would be a candidate for the presi-
dency He paused before replying and
then said smilingly: Il cannot answer
that question at this time, but legally
l have the same right to be candi-
date as any other citizen of Mexico"
Questioned regarding the reception
of American capitol and enterprises
during the period of reconstruction,
General Carranza answered that they
would receive the same welcome as in
the days before the revolution with
this distinction, that, whereas, in the
past much foreign capital received
special privileges not allowed to Mex
leans, in the present and future all
capital will have an equal opportunity
under the law. Referring to the labor
union government which has grown
rapidly of late throughout Mexico the
first chief said:
we will encourage the aspirations
and enthusiasms OF the labor party, so
long as they work within the law,
but both capital and labor must under
stand that the general welfare is the
aim of the present constitutional party
and that the people at large are the
first to be considered"
General Carranza said that he did
not wish to consider the question of a
foreign loan. at this time, but that he
could say that the economic situation
of Mexico was slowly but steadily inn
proving. that the crops this year prom
ised to be among the best of the last
decade and that altogether conditions
warranted optimism.
I'VE have enemies" he said, the re-
dictionaries and clericals in the United
States and in this country who are
working to destroy u.s. but we are
ready for them"
MEXICO NAMES CONFEREES
Mexico City, July 26. - Unofficial
reports here are that General Luis