The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-01-04
PRESIDENT TAKES OVER
MEXICAN SITUATION
Whole Question of Method for Future
Action Left With Him BY
Commission
MUCH TALK OF
PERSHING'S WITHDRAWAL
However. Much Opposition Is De-
vrioping to- Stieif ee,trse-tilla said
to Re Unchecked In His Campaign
In Northern Mexico.

Washington. Jan. 3.-The entire
Mexican situation was tonight placed
In the hands of President Wilson, The
American section Of the Mexican
American Joint Commission visited the
President this afternoon and left with
him their recommendations as TO the
reuly which should be made to Car
ranza's refusal 10 sign the protocol
for the withdraw OF American mill
tarr forces from Mexican soil and the
protection of the border The whole
question IS now UP TO the President,
who had with him Col. Il. NJ. House,
OF Texas. his most trusted adviser.
Again today the report was circulat-
ed that the American expeditionary
force under General Pershing would
be withdrawn. The members OF the
commission were silent on this point.
but 1t was made clear that embodied
In their recommendations to the
President was the suggestion that the
soldiers w6ufd HgSyef Eubserve the tn
terests OF peace and order along the
International boundary line IL they
were withdrawn from their present
base and distributed along the Rio
Grande.
The commission method of dealiug
with the constitutiouaiist government
Of Mexico was admitted tonight TO be
complete failure.
Hereafter diplomatic dealing will be
direct.
II is purposed. It was learned to-
night, that as soon as the Pershing
expedition can be withdrawn the rec
ognition of the Carranzista govern
ment will revert TO the status occu-
pied prior to it's recognition as a de
facto government In October. 1915.
Recognition Will be extended 10 IL as
a bellieerent. Then Will follow. II the
Carranza governments inability to
handle the situation In Northern Mex
ico continues. the recognition OF
other warning factions as belligerents.
Oppose Withdrawal.
There is strong opposition to the
withdrawal Of the Pershing force de-
veloping within the Presidents cir
Gle of advisers. IT is known that the
President Is disposed to withdraw the
troops Some OF HIS advisers agree,
but others urge that the withdrawal
viii do no good IN the United States.
small good at the border and incal-
cuiable harm within the republic of
Mexico where II will be at once pro-
diplomatic victory.
villa strength In Northern Mexico
Is admittedly on the Increase The
State Department tonigE confined
press dispatches 20 the effect that
Don Pancho" has under his command
no less than 10000 men. In arms. His
drive through Chihuahua. Northern
Durango and Western Coahuila has
resulted In the capture one after the
other OF Torreon. Parral. Jiminez. San
Ia Rosalie. Santa Barbara. San Pedro
and Cuidad chihuahua. most Of which
are still In his hands
Mexico City Cut on.
On high authority II was reported
today that railway communication be-
tween Mexico city and the outside
world has been entirely cut off. just
how this has been accomplished with
Mexico City to Vera Cruz was not ex-
planned although It Is we'll known that
powerful contingent of bandits under
Cedillo Brothers and another battalion
under the independent leader Pelae7
have been exceedingly active to the
eastward Of the capital.
The arrest in New York today OF
Juan r. Burns, consul-general Of Mex
leo was reported to the Department
of Justice, The sleuths Of Uncle Sam 4
law department. 1t was alleged. have
unearthed evidence which duplicates
Burns in a plot with Reuben Meyer
recently arrested at Galveston. The
method said to have been employed by
the alleged "gun-runners" was To
transport cartridges. in cases labeled
machinery" to Galveston. whence they
were transhipped to Tampico. and
thence found their way to the Car
rama armies In the field
1t Is regarded as unlikely that, even
II convicted. Burns will be subjected
to anything more than a heavy fine.
He has a certain diplomatic status
which will have to be considered,
There was some disposition here to
associate the departure from Wash
ington of Elise Arrendendo. late am
bassador designate with the Burns ar
rest. For many months Arrendendo's
principal plant to the state Depart
ment has been the presentation OF
reason for the lifting of embargo on
arms as operative against the de fac
to government. No mention of Ar
rendendo. however. was made by the
Department of Justice officials. He
will probably cross into Mexico to-
morrow night unmolested