The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-01-01
SOLUTION OF MEXICAN
PROBLEM YET DISTANT
President Wilson Continues Dispo~t-
ton TO Re Lenient In Handling
Situation
BREAK WITH CARRANZA
MIGHT PROVE MISTAKE.
Progress of Villa Forces Gives Ad-
minisfration OfIiciais Cause For
Contsrn-Internatio CompiieSa.
tions still Thrcate., =

Washington. Dec. 31.-The conclud-
ing hours Of 1915 tonight found the
Mexican problem no nearer solution,
; in so far as the diplomatic relations
between that revolution-ridaen coun-
try are concerned, than they were
three hundred and sixty-six days ago.
What may develop IN the final meet
ing of the Joint American Mexicau
Commission scheduled for Tuesday in
Washington. on the question as TO
whether the present relations shall
continue or whether an abrupt change
in the international status is imminent
remained unanswered.
The American members % the Joint
com mission. their patienca soreiy
tried by the delays and repeated de-
tnands for time II consider" are dis
posed to stand firmly against further
discussion of the question: at issue.
'rfeays naye afr.afy advised the Presi-
dent that their own request for the
prompt signature of the pr8tocol pre-
pared at such great pains by the joint
commission was not unreastsrab bic in
the premises and warranted prompt
action by First Chief Carranza
But from sources close TO the Presi-
dent il has been stated that he is
stlll disposed TO be ienient and TO
grasp almost any opportunity pre-
scented by the Mexfcans to put OFF tho
close of the present temporary diplo-
matte arrangement under which the
commissioners have been proceeding.
II Is pointed out that to break off
all relations with Carranza cannot
help the situation The growing
strength of the Nilasta movement. So
called. which means the waxing ac-
tivities of all the various related and
unrelated enemies of the Constitution
aiist government leads the President
and his closer advisers to feel that
nothing can ne gained for the cause
of improved relations by a further
squcbhle with the nominal govern
nent of Mexico.
ON the other hand, the progress Of
Villas own forces in the direction
of Monterey. capital of Neuvo Leon.
and the metropolis of northern
Mexico. conveys IA threat of serious
consequences for both the United
States and the Constitutionalists.
Among Threatened Cnnpllcati tons.
II is we'll known that It is not
Monterey itself that Is the ultimate
object of this maneuver. but the rich
oil country east of that city and the
great oil port OF Tampico. In this
oil development concerns. American.
British and Dutch, with equipment of
value measurable in hundreds of
millions and supplies OF oil. In stor-
age and in the flowing wells OF which
the values run into billions. What
villa and his maurauders could.
would or might do in the way OF de-
struction OF foreign property. 10 caus-
ing real anxiety on the part Of the
administration. Back Of the direct
damage possible is the international
complication which threatens. Tampi-
co is the source of oil supply OF al
most one-half OF the British navy
Another lurking danger In this
latest progress of villa Is the danger
which may follow through juncture
of his forces with those of the rebels
under Pelaez. who are in actual con-
troll OF the oil country surrounding
Tuxpam, the port OF export next in
Importance to Tampico. Should he
accept the coming OF Villa as friend
~ alliance it would mean that within
a few weeks Mexico's great oil terri
tory would be completely in the hands
of enemies of Carranza.