Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-04-30
AMERICANS WARN /.
SUCH H|NS|STENCE
MEANS DEADLOCK
Two Conflicting PROPOSE
tions Develop at Open
ing of Conference.
=
GRAVITY OF SITUATION
INCREASED TEMPORARILY
Receipt of Fresh Reports That
Villa Is Dead Is An
other Factor. J
MEETING BEHIND CLOSED DOORS
MEETING BEHIND CLOSED DOORS
Scott and Funston for Q. s.. See
Obregon and Treviuo for
CurranZa.

SNfTanZa.
Ell PASO, TEN, April 29.-Two con-
hicting propositions developed imme
dlately after the beginning in the Mex
lean custom-house in Juarez late to-
day of the conference to decide the
future disposition of the American ex-
pcditionary forces in Mexico. They are
understood temporarily to have In
creased the gravity of the negotiations.
In addition. another factor is be-.
lievcd to have been injected into the
situation by the receipt OF fresh re-
ports that francisco Villa Is dead
Mexican Consul Andreas Garcia sail
Colonel Carlos Carranza had tele-
sraphed from Cusihuiriachic that lie
had been unable to find Villas body,
but that he had established beyond
dispute that the bandit leader was
dead. and no hoped to recover the body
In Il few days. The telegram said all
the evidence tended to confirm tho
death OF Villa. This telegram is under
stood to have been laid before the
confcrees, but none would confirm or
deny 1t. Ef
The initial meeting, which lasted two
hours, was held behind closed doors in.
tho big green -tinted room which Villa
dominated Northern Mexico. and
Juarez was his headquarters. Another
conference will be hold to morrow, this
time In lei Pnso. Major-Generals Scott
and Funston represented tho United
States. The Mexican conferees were
General Alvnro Obregon, Mexican Min
lister OF War. and General Jacinto Tire
vino, military commander OF tho north-
east district of Mexico.
CONFLICTING PROPOSITIONS
DEVELOP IMMEDIATELY
The progress OF the negotiations was
not divulgcd. but from an authorita-
tive source two things were defined.
First. that the Mexican representa-
tives reiterated tho wish expressed In
General Carranza's recent note to tllA
Washington government that the
American troops should be withdrawn
from Mexican soil at an early date.
Second, that they were informed by
tho American officials that tho latter
were not empowered to discuss the
withdrawal of General Pershins's coll
umns
IL is understood the American rep-
resentatives told the Mexican officials
that if the de facto government insist
ed on an American withdrawal that
the conference would go into a dead
lock, and the whole matter would
revert to diplomatic discussion be-
tween Washington and Mexico City
The Mexicans. 1t is understood, were
further Informed that tho purpose of
the present conference, so far as the
United States Is concerned, is the de- s
Velopment Of specific plan for the
cooperation of the American and de
facto armies in wiping out the bandit
groups that have caused so much blood
shed along the border and have re-
peatedly taken American life in the
interior of Mexico.
1t ia understood that General Obre-
gon. prior to the conference. openly
expressed a disinclination to discuss
any other subject than withdrawal. and
that no carried this attitude into the
initial meeting.
CARRIES OUT INTENTION
OF MEETING "HALF wAYn
After the primary issues had been
broached. however, he is reported to
have carried out the intention he an
.nounccd shortly after his arrival on
Friday. OF meeting Generals Scott and
Funston half way" in the nesotia-
tions
The attitude Of secretiveness main
'aineu Dy the oHiclalS gave rise to all
sorts of speculations tonight. Mex
lean officials declared their Intention
or allowing the Americans to do all
the talking. The latter refused all
but the most inconsequential informa-
tion regarding developments.
In well-informed quarters, however,
the opinion was freely expressed that
tho present negotiations are unlikely
to lead to any definite disagreement.
1t was pointed out that the Carranza
government could not afford to taks I
any step that would endanger It's pres
ont peaceful relations with Washing
ton. AS far as the United States was
concerned. il was argued II has con-
sistently held to big brother. poll
icy toward the country south OF tho
Rio Grande, and had repeatedly an
nounced itself against intervention.
Under these conditions. 1t was
pointed out. both Sides would find 1t
to their advantage to concedc q few
points in the interest of an ultimato
asreement that wonld meet in tho
main tho intcrests OF both parties. III
This agreement. it WAS believed
would provide for a 3oint policing oI
the bandit-tnSsstsd stasritaFx Of Ghthnsa