Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-05-21
MExICANS' CONFIDENCE
is SAID TO BE ATTAINED
Conferences at Ell Paso Known to
Have Resulted in Dispelling sus-
picions of First Chief.
GEN. SCOTS WORK PRAISED
American Commander Understood to
Have Convinced Obregon That
President Wilson Had No Ulte-
rior Motive Toward Republic.

r,or Motive Toward Republic.
lhe State Department was
oftlcially advised yesterday that it
might expect soon a new note
from Gen. Carranza regarding
the border situation. Indications
are that it will be OF a friendly
character, and it is thought pos
sible Gen. Carranza may propose
the framing of a definite under
standing along the lines of the
unwritten agreement reached bv
the military conference at FL Paso
between Gems. Scott, Funston and
Oregon.
Should this forecast be borne out,
the delicate situation created by Gen.
Carranza's request for the withdrawal
Of the American expedition would be a
closed incident.
Suspicious of Mexicans Overcome.
Special Agent Rodgers at Mexico City
reported yesterday that the attitude of
ofhciais of the Carranza government
mad undergone decided change within
the last few days. There were evil
dences In many quarters, he said. of
increasing friendliness toward the United
States Optimistic expectations as to
the purport of the new note are found
ed on these statements
Officials here believe the change is
directly due to Gen. Obregon's report
OF his discussion with the American
chlef OF stan and border commander.
-, ne american sr omcers were completely
SUCCESSFUL, apparently, in overcoming
suspicion of the Washington govern
ments intentions which the Mexican
war minister entertained when he was
sent north for the conference
Mr.. Rodgers reported that Mexican of
fctals now felt that the critical sta..
resulting from the Columbus raid had
passed, and said tension was greatly
relieved in the Carranza capital.
Mexico Wants Formal Protocol.
The determination of the Carranza
government to reopen diplomatic nepo-
tiations for formal protocol prob
ably explains its delay in instructine
Eliseo Arredondo, its ambassador here
in regard to negotiations over the re-
quest Tor withdrawal which has been
handled as separate question Mr..
Arredondo asked for such instruc-
t1ons Immediately after the border con-
ference adjourned. Gen. Carranza's
note suggesting withdrawal suspended
the conversations in progress as TO "A
liz
now to bring the Situati back to that
point directly and of his own Motion
The only step taken toward a con-
tlnuatlon through diplomatic agencies
or the discussions at FL Paso as sug-
gested by the conferees. has been Mr.
Arredondos request for Instructions
The State Department has made no
move in that direction, and SO far as
known mas contemplated none. State
Department officials are understood to
have been confident that Gen. Carranza
would receive from Gen. Obregon "A
clear impression of the attitude of
the United States. In this confidence
they have awaited the result of Obre-'
CONS conference with his chief.
Pleased With Scott's Work.
Since Gen. Scott's return with a full
report on the conferences. State De-
partment officials have expressed great
Apparently the whole
basis of the Carranza request for with
drawaI was the suspicion of Mexican
officials to the real purpose of the
expedition sent over the line after
Villa and his followers.
The first meetings of the conferees a
Ell Paso were devoted to efforts by
Gems. Scott and Funston to clear Gen.
Obregon's mind of this suspicion. He
was assured that President Wilson had
no hidden purpose. and that If a clash
between the two governments was to
come it must be initiated by Car
ranZa's forces or result from the con-
tinued failure of those forces to clean
up the bandit infested regions.
Gen Scott was able to say authorita-
lively that American troops woud not
be Withdrawn so long as danger of
new raids existed; but would be
recalled if the Carranza gov
ernment lent official aid in crushing
ont brigandage. Pending accomplish
ment of that purpose, he was able to
assure Gen. Obregon that the task of
noIicine districts south of Namaquipa
would gladly be left to him, while Gen.
Pershing would withdraw toward the
border as rapidly as the region was
properly occupied and cleaned up by
Mexican troops.
Trevino Begins Task Promptly.
In reply to these arguments, Gen. obre-
,on issued orders to Gen. Trevino to be-
Yin clearing up the territory south of the
4 American forces and placed 10000 troops
4 his disposal Reports from the border
md from Mexican towns indicate that
rrevino is carrying out his instructions
He was said to have reached
,hihuahua City in person today, pre-
Jared to occupy territory recently held
-, parshinp'S men. but taking care not
n 40 dispose his forces to allow any
,ossibility of clash with American
roopers.
The State Department received en-
.ouraging reports yesterday. also. from
he Tampico region, where fears of anti
American outbreaks have been expressed
n recent advices. No actual demonstra-
ions have occurred and yesterdays mes
age said there was an Improvement in
he feeling Of the Mexican officials and