MEXICO AND AMERICA

Otago Witness, Issue 3251, 5 July 1916, Page 48

MEXICO AND AMERICA

MR WILSON STILL DESIRES PEACE. MEXICO FEVERISHLY PREPARING. WASHINGTON, June 23. The United States, having asked President Carranza to release the captured American soldiers and leceived no 'only, has fixed a time limit, notifying that if the prisoners arc not received at its expiry forcible steps will bo taken to recover them. To this Carranza has not replied. Feverish war preparations are proceeding in Mexico. Many bandit chiefs aro joining Carranza, and anti-American outbreaks continue. The mobilisation of the United States militia, authorised on June 19, is not yet half completed. President Wilson is still striving to avoid a formal declaration of Avar, and he is willing to extend the time for Carranza's reply. NAVAL BLOCKADE PROBABLE. LONDON, June 28. The Times correspondent at Washington says that President Wilson's Note to Mexico was the outcome of Carranza's refused to disavow the Carizal attack. Alter despatching it President Wilson summoned the leading Foreign Affairs Committeemen and told them the situation was excessively serious, and he feared that Carranza would submit to no argument except force. It is generally opined that Mr Wilson will not declare formal war, but will merely increase the number of United States troops in Mexico, supporting this step by a naval blockade. AMERICAN PRISONERS TO BE . RELEASED. EL PASO, June 29. General Jacinto Trevino lias ordered that American prisoners interned at Chihuacua City be taken to Juarez with arms and accoutrements and bo release'!. IMMEDIATE BREAK AVERTED. WASHINGTON, June 29. An immediate break with the United States and the de facto Government has been averted in the compliance with America's demand for the release of the 23 troopers captured in the fight 'at Carrizad. Whether war has been prevented or merely postponed, no one can attempt to say. PRESIDENT CABRVNZA'S XOT.3. WASHINGTON, June 7.0. President Carranza has replied to the United States Notes, pointing out that United States troops have no right whatever to remain on Mexican soil. The attacks made upon American troops were the result of the American commander's blunders and his overbearing manner. President Carranza denies that he has protected any bandits, and accuses the United States of sending him discourteous Notes. There- is no reference to any future hostilities. July 1. Unofficial advices state that President Carranza has not changed his orders to a: tick the American troops.