El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1916-05-12

stating that Mexican bandits again had
crossed intO American territory and
| fired on American soldiers and civilians
According to another report a mill
tary automobile conveying messages
from Maj. George T. LanghOrne to Col
Frederick ". Sibley, commander Of the
expeditionary force in the Big Bend
1 district has been made the target for
shots fired by Mexicans
Army men here refused to comment
on these occurrences except to state
that they were likely to be repeated at
intervals.
with the negotiations here ended. and
the discussion reverting to Washington
and the direct control of president VIII
son and secretary Lansing, more became
known Of the developments Of the fort
night just passed.
Only One Subject Considered.
It is now stated positively that the
Mexican government, so far as that
part Of it represented by Gen. Carranza
is concerned, has not for one instant
admitted the consideration of any other
subject than withdrawal
The discussions began with the con-
ferees at crOss-purposes, Gen. Oregon
having come to the border with the in
tention Of showing the Americans that
( they should Immediately withdraw from
, Mexican soil. while the Americans ar
/ rived empowered only to treat Of the
disposition of their troops in the chase
| after Villa bandits
( AT the very lllEt conference zen
! ObregOn was informed by Gems Scott
and Funston that he need have no hope
| that the American troops would be
| taken out until the government Of the
United states was thoroughly convinced
| that the mission IL had begun had been
driven 20 a successful conclusion.
Americans Asked Cooperation.
The only object Of the conference.
Gen ObregOn was told, was the gaining
| Of the active cooperation Of the Car
/ who wiped out the troublesome bandit
groups so long as the act was accom-
plished.
Upon finding the American con-
ferees inflexible. Gen. Obregon yielded
at the second conference, the memorable
12thour meeting in a local hotel. at
which he and Gen. Scott reached ten
tatlve agreement, and recommended TO |
Gen. Carranza that the cooperative plan I
presented by the American government /
be endorsed.
Cnrrnnza Wanted Date Fixed.
At this point in the negotiations the ]
hitch came. Carranza is understood /
to have insisted that in lieu of imme- /
date withdrawal a definite date must .
at least be set for the northward retire
ment Of the American columns
The first chief is said to have de-
clared that he never could cOuntenance /
a situation in which written words
would show the Mexican government as
having consented to the presence OF
American soldiers on Mexican soil.
From the information available il is
believed that Gen. Obregon tried first |
to convince his chief of the impOssi biiitv
his own position in the matter. Con-
ference after conference was dragged I
through until at Thursdays meeting
the hopelessness OF arriving at an
agreement was realized.
CarrRnza Wins Over Oregon.
This result having been attained. IT |
Is pointed out that Gen. Carranza has |
won political victory over his minister I
Of war forced the negotiations into
diplomatic channels and brought the ,
whole question OF withdrawal back TO |
the suggestions contained in his note to !
a month ago. I
Persons intimate with Mexican af- /
fairs assert that domestic politics |
played a prominent part in the result I
0f the conference. Reports. considered | !
long have had il that Gen
Oregon has become Gen Carranza's
,hief political rival In delegatins the :
Of war to represent the de
acto government at a conference deal .
ng with military affairs. the first chief
lid the logical thing, but, II is asserted
lere, he also placed upon Gen. Oregon
/ burden that could hardly be consid- g
red welcome. II the cOnferee reached Z
IN agreement with the Americans he ! i
would suffer in the eyes of all good .
dexicans II he caused disagreement u
Ie would be guilty Of plunging his .
ountry, already devastated by the in .
Dads of repeated revolutions, into war e
ObregOn's sphere CurtniIed.
ODregOn came north, IL was stated. / ii
nth plenary powers. After he had -
cached an apparent agreement with y
lens. Scott and Funston, it was found.
oweyer that the matter must be re-
erred TO Gen. Carranza. who refused to ! =
ountenance the agreement n
AS a result of these maneuvers Il is
J 4 20 HHaaH nn
officially in his position as defender ! II
{ the policy of Mexico for Mexicans." { :
lille Gen. Oregon. notwithstanding -
is later attitude. has suffered in com =
arson through having reached tenn
Jrary agreement with the Americans
The negotiations practically were at
n end several days ago when the u
merican conferees announced positive y
that they would not change their at -
tude on the question of withdrawn
en-. Obregon a courteous hearing He
stoned patiently to various counter
'oDosals, such as the suggestion for
joint patrol OF the border, and sent
en- on TO Washington. But it is
lown that such propositions were re-
lrded as superfluOus and were not
ven deep consideration
Promises Not Acceptable.
The Mexican couferee made man,-
omises to the Americans in his eff
rts TO obtain the retirement of Gen.
.rshing's army. IT was pointed out 10
m. however, that promises could not
accepted; that only facts could be
tertaiued.
The MeNicans, particularly after Juan
Amador, subsecretary OF foreign af-
irs came directly north from Cen
rranza, always kept to the fore the
estion of withdrawal Some times this
sistence caused tension. At one point
ring Thursdays conferences. ii is re-
rted that the atmosphere grew
ated.
Nevertheless. it is said the moment
yer came when Gen. Oregon deliv-
I'd himself Of threats or spoke any
ng that resembled an ultimatum. An
Of courtesy was maintained through
{.
When Gen. obregon left the confer