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Show CiH ILL II Rebels to Protect theTampico Oil Wells to the Extent of Their Power. WASIIIXGTOX, May 1. Gcnoral Carranza telegraphed Secretary Bryau from Chihuahua tonight that, the constitutionalists con-stitutionalists would not enter into any formal agreemeut for the establishment of a neutral zone around the oil wcl's at. Tauipieo. Tie said, however, that as far as his force were concerned the il companies could resume operations without with-out fenr of molestation. This action of the constitutionalist chief was not unexpected, as officials here understood that the creation of a neutral zone would materially interfere with tho scope of the rebels attackiug Tampico. Nevertheless, it was evident that failure to reliovo all further anxiety anx-iety ou account of the valuable oil properties prop-erties was a distinct disappointment. Sir Cecil Spring-Rice, the British embassador, embassa-dor, has been urging strongly the ucu- tral zone proposal. It is understood that Gonoral Car-ranza Car-ranza notified tho embassador 'as well as the state department that his troops have been ordered to do everything iu their power to safeguard the oil wella and plants. Administration officials held that tho Carrauza message could uot bo considered consid-ered as having any bearing upon the proposal of the South American mediators media-tors for an armistice between tho contending con-tending Mexican factions. So far as is known, no reply has conic to this proposnl from either "side. Tho mediators adjourned their night conference confer-ence tonight, saying there had been no developments to warrant an announcement. announce-ment. Carranza in his reply stated that foreigners for-eigners who left Tampico did so of tlfcir own accord, and were welcome to return re-turn under every assurance of protection protec-tion lying within his power, lie added that immediate attention would be given giv-en to driving out roving bands of marauders. ma-rauders. To this etid orders woro telegraphed tele-graphed today to General C'abellero, governor of I lie state of Tamaulipns. General Carranza also telegraphed George C Carotherp, confidential agent of the United States at El Paso, declaring de-claring that in the forthcoming attack he would do all in his power to safeguard safe-guard tho lives aud propcrtA' of foreigners. foreign-ers. The federals at Tampico control (he river along which tho oil tanks are built, but the rebels occupy a large oil field lying in tho outskirts of the city. General Carranza stated that no question ques-tion of permit? for foreigners who have fled the country to return has over been raised by his administration and that all wishing to return to work aro free i (o do so. I |