Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-02-12

Washington, Feb. 12. - Ambassa-
dor Henry P. Fletcher has started for
Mexico City to re-establish with the
Government of that country diploma
tic relations which were severed in
April, 1914. when American marines
took Vera Cruz. He was accompanied
by Captain Frank Mccoy, as military
aid, and Captain edward Hanna, who
served with Fletcher in the Rough
Riders and who will act as secretary of
the embassy.
Ambassador Fletchers instructions
are to proceed directly to Mexico City
by Laredo and Monterey. Just at
present some of Villas bandits are
holding a section of the national lines
Ambassador Fletcher probably will be
compelled to remain at San Antonio
temporarily.
Before sending Mr.. Fletcher to the
Mexican capital President Wilson gave
him diplomatic powers of almost un-
limited latitude that he will employ
in attempting to bring about a better
understanding between this govern
ment and the persons who are now in
charge of Mexico.
Difficult Task Ahead
The Administration is satisfied that
Ambassador Fletcher has one of the
most difficult assignments ever given
TO an American diplomat. He is eX-
pected to get right down to brass
tacks," If it is possible to do so,and find
out Just what is responsible for the
unfriendly attitude which has prompt
ed Carranza to insult this government
on every occasion and to block every
attempt that President Wilson has
made to help Mexico help herself.
Mr.. Fletcher has been supplied with
a great mass of material which he
may find it advisable to present to Car
rama for the purpose of proving to
him support of every sort just as soon
ceived concerning the purposes of the
American government by persons who
are or have been in his confidence.
The State Department appears to
be satisfied that if Mr.. Fletcher pterces
the ring that surrounds Carranza at
present he may be able to do the First
Chief incalculable good by changing
his viewpoint concerning the attitude
of this government In the event
that Mr.. Fletcher finds q responsive
chord in the First Chief, he is empow-
cred to assure him that the govern
ment of the United States will lend
him supper of every sort just as soon
as 1t has reasons to believe that such
support will be welcome, and will be
used for the benefit of the entire coun-
try and not for the ACKNOWLEDGMENT of
a handful of political generals.
30 Per Cent of Graft
FOLLOWING Jne conference DetW cen
the American and Mexican commits
sions, Secretary of the Interior Lane,
John Mott and Judge Gray frankly in
formed President Wilson that the
present CarranZa movement repre-
sents about 10 per cent. of honest
idealism and 30 per cent of grating
demagoguery.
The commission advised the Presi-
dent that the sole hope in the stu
alton rested on the possibility of get
ting Carranza to rid himself of the dis
honest element In the event that
Carranza gets together a nucleus of
honest, efficient Mexicans, the COM
mission reported this government
should get behind him and help him
organize and finance a stable republic.
Ambassador Fletcher is expected to
drive the opening wedge. If no sue
Ceeds, the Administration hopes that
the long-awaited period for establish
ing a government in Mexico will have
arrived If he fails in this, the Admin
istration expects Carranza to go
through the form of being elected
President of the country, and then be
thrown out by Obregon or Pablo Con
zales, his principal military chiefs.
What is likely to happen thereafter no
one connected with the Administration
is willing to prophesy.
Mr. Fletcher was born in the Cum
berland Valley and is widely known in
the city where he has many friends