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Show POWER DF lEII GENERALS LIMITED S!ott and Funston Meet War Minister Obregon at Juarez, Who Reiterates Reit-erates the Wish of First Chief Carranza That United States Troops Withdraw From Mexico. Mex-ico. SCOTT REFUSES TO "DISCUSS QUESTION ' Informs Mexican Envoy jThat the Plan of the Washington Government Govern-ment Is to Arrange for Co-operation in Ridding Rid-ding Mexico of Bandits; Ban-dits; Concessions Are Confidently Expected. EL PASO, Texas, April 29. A ew factor 1b believed to have been Injected into Uie conference over American troop dispositions tonight by the receipt of fresh reports that Trancisco Villa is dead. Mexican Consul Garcia said Colonel Col-onel Carlos Carranza had telegraphed tele-graphed him from Cusihuirlachio that he had been unable to find Villa's body, but that he had established estab-lished beyond dispute that the bandit ban-dit leader was dead and he hoped to recover the body in a few days. The telegram said all the evidence tended to confirm the death of Villa. This telegram Is understood to iave been laid before the conferees, con-ferees, but none would confirm or deny it. EL PASO, Texas, April 29 Two conflicting con-flicting propositions developed immedi-stely immedi-stely after the beginning in the Mexican eustoms house in Juarez late today of the conference to decide the future disposition dis-position of the American expeditionary forces in Mexico. They are understood temporarily to have increased the gravity of the negotiations. nego-tiations. The initial meeting was held behind closed doors in the big green-tinted room which Francisco Villa used as his council chamber when he dominated northern Mexico and Juarez was his headquarters. Generals Hugh L. Scott and Frederick Funston represented the Vnited States. The Mexican oonferees were General Alvaro Obregon, Mexican minister of war, and General Jacinto Tivino, military commander of the northeast district of Mexico. The progress prog-ress of the negotiations was not divulged, di-vulged, but from an authoritative source two things were learned. Reiterate Carranza's Wish. First, that the Mexican representatives representa-tives reiterated the wish expressed in General Carranza's recent note to the Washington government that the American Ameri-can troops should be withdrawn from Mexican soil at an early date. Second, that they were informed by tho American officials that the latter were not empowered to discuss the B-lth.lrawal of General Pershing's coitions. It is understood the American repre-f repre-f (Continued on Page Two.) POWER OF ! 1 GEMS LIMITED (Continued from1 Page One.) sentatives told the Mexican conferees that if the de facto government insisted on an American evacuation the conference confer-ence would go into a deadlock and the whole matter would revert to a diplomatic diplo-matic discussion between Washington and Mexico City. Purpose of American. The Mexicans further were Informed that the purpose of the present conference, confer-ence, so Tar as the United States la concerned, con-cerned, is the development of a specific plan for the co-operation of the American Ameri-can and de facto armies in wiping out the bandit groups that have spilled so mucii blood along- the border and have repeatedly repeat-edly taken American life In the interior of Mexico. It Is understood that General Obregon, the Mexican minister of war, prior to the conference, openly expressed a disinclination disinclina-tion to discuss any other subject than withdrawal and that he carried this attitude atti-tude Into the Initial meeting. After the primary Issues had been broached, however, he is reported to have carried out the intention he announced shortly after his arrival on Friday, of meeting Generals Scott and Funslon "half way" in tho negotiations. Many Rumors Afloat. The attitude of secretiveness maintained by the officials taking part in the conference con-ference gaye rise to all sorts of speculations specula-tions In El Paso tonight. Mexican officials offi-cials declared their intention of allowing the Americans to do all the talking. The latter refused all but the most inconsequential inconse-quential information regarding developments. develop-ments. In well-informed quarters., however, the opinion was freely expressed that the present negotiations are unlikely to lead to any definite disagreement. It was pointed out that the Carranza government could not afford to take aiv step that would endanger its presen peaceful relations rela-tions with "Washington. As far as the United Slates was concerned, it was argued, ar-gued, it had consistently held to a "big brother" policy toward the country south of the Rio Grande and had repeatedly announced itself against intervention." Concessions Probable. Under these conditions, It was pointed out. both sides would find it to their advantage ad-vantage to concede a few points In the interest of an ultimate agreement that would meet in the main the Interests of both parties. This agreement, it was believed, would provide for a Joint policing of the bandit-infested bandit-infested territory of Chihuahua, with the American army stationed some distance south of the Rio Grande, in position to act as buffer against the repetition of bandit attacks on t he border. While the instructions sent by Newton D. Baker, secretary of war, to Generals Scott and Funs ton have been zealously kept secret. It is known that the following follow-ing general conditions will be Insisted on by the American representatives: Open and effective co-operation of the Carranzistas with the Americans. Extension of the American lines Into Mexico at least as far south a.s Casas Gratifies aid probably farther. He'-elation to the American military the duty of policing a "northern, zone." consisting of the territory directly south of the international boundary. Policing of the remainder of the territory terri-tory "a southern zone" by the Carranzistas. Carran-zistas. Co-opcratlon in the handling of supplies sup-plies for the American troops Granting of the use of the Mexican railways to the expeditionary force. Must Agree to Conditions. On the acceptance of these conditions, It was believed that the Americans would agree not to penetrate farther south than a line to be agreed on and that they would consent to the withdrawal Just as poon as they should receive adequate assurance as-surance thai the Villista and other bands had been eradicated. For a time today It appeared that the announced Intention of both sides to the conference "to get right down to business" busi-ness" wap not going to be carried out. The "courtesy call" made to Kl P;i.-o bv Ge tie ral Obregon and his fellow officials ;his morning occupied so mu'ih time that rumors spread that the conference itseif had begun. It was well after 12 o'clock when the visit e ruled, and by the time everyone had lini.-Oied their lunch the middle of the afternoon had br-en reached. It was not until after 3 o'clock avhen the time for the first session was pet. The first conference came tu an end exactly two hours after it was bosun. No announcement was made as to when the next meeting would be held. Another conference will be held tomorrow, tomor-row, this time in El Paso. |