Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-07-07
STATES NOT
To MEDIATE MEXICAN
AFFAIR, SAYS LANSING
Secretary of State ConferS
With President on Eve of De-
parture for Annual VaCa-
ton
(By Associated Press. }

WASHINGTON, July 6.-Formal ac-
ceptance of General Carranzas proposal
that differences between the United
States and the de facto government of
Mexico be settled by direct negotiations
will be dispatched to Mexico City.
After a conference with President
Wilson at the White House today Sec
rotary Lansing said he thought reply
soon would be made to General CarTan-
zas note. 1t was understood that all
negotiations between this government
and General Carranza will be conducted
through regular diplomatic channels and
directly between the two governments.
The secretary was with the president
about twenty minutes. He said they
went over most of the matters now be-
fore the state department
81 suppose that we discussed fifteen
or twenty different propositions ne
said. "As I am going on my vacation
tomorrow 1 wanted to discuss every
thing of Importance in the department
with the president before left. 1 shall
attend the cabinet meeting tomorrow
morning and start on my vacation
later"
The Mexican note delivered yesterday
said the de facto government mad &C
cepted in principle Latin-AnericaIl
offers of mediation, but was awaiting
an attenuation as TO whether the United
states believed the desired results could
he accomplished by direct exchanges
between the two governments.
LANSING OFF FOR VACATION.
Secretary Lansing will leave tomor-
row for a months vacation. Indications
Frr nd wi h.
in a day or two.
The secretary will be in direct touch
during his absence, but informal con-
yersations with Elisea Arrendo, Mex
lean ambassador designate, which 1t is
hoped will develop a solution OF the
difficulties along the Mexican border
will be conducted by Counsellor Polk,
acting as secretary.
While General Carranza's amicable re-
joinder TO the last two American notes
has greatly eased tension, no official was
willing today to predict the final out
come of the negotiations. 1t was made
plain, however, that no change in pol
icy was now contemplated by the Wash
ington government and that immediate
withdrawal of the expeditionary forces
from Mexico will not be an acceptable
basis for whatever plan of cooperative
action along the border is worked out.
Officials take the position that only
the preliminary step has been taken by
General Carranza toward the friendly
adjustment he now appears to desire.
Demonstration of his ability to carry
out the promises expressed and implied
in his note is still lacking.
President Wilson, it is pointed out,
has been ready to withdraw American
troops from Mexico at any time the de
facto government would express the in
tention and show the ability to furnish
adequate military protection for the
border
To some extent this demonstration is
now being made by the operation of
Mexican troops on the 400 mile stretch
of Chihuahua state, formerly policed
by American forces.
The CarranZa forces have moved into
the territory as General Pershing drew
his lines northward and the BEST in
formation here indicates that they have
patrOlled it thoroughly.
The efficiency of Mexican police mea-
sures may be put soon to a severe test,
according to rumors transmitted from
the border today to the state DEPART
ment These state that Francisco villa
has recovered from his wounds and
is personally leading a force northward
from the region just south of Parral.
Between the points where Villa is said
to be operating and advanced camps of
General Pershings forces are consid-
cradle forces of Carranza troops