THE ULTIMATUM.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11729, 20 June 1916, Page 6

THE ULTIMATUM.

MEXICO BELLICOSE. Ely PASO, April 29. General Alvaro Obregon, Minister of War in. the: de facto Government of Mexico, to-night mad'® formal demand on the military representatives of the United States, General Hugh. L. Scott and General Frederick Punston, for the immediate removal of <dl American troops from Mexico. General Obregon politely listened to a number of alternative propositions from the American commanders, but was not in the least affected by them. The Mexican. Government and the Mexican people, he said, were a unit in tho sentiment that the presence of General Pershing mid the force of the punitive expedition was a violation of the sovereignty of their country, for which there was not and never had been any excuse. The situation, 110 added, wa*s an intolerable one, and' the national dignity and self-respect of the people demanded that it end' at once. OUTLOOK DISTINCTLY DARK. The outlook is distinctly dark. There is not a sign of surrender among the Mexicans. What- the attitude of the American Government will be can only bo'determined in "Washington. General Scott would make po com- , ments ivhatever on The situation, and General Fnnston and General Obregon both asserted that they had entered into an agreement not to talk about the negotiations for publication. There is every indication that the conferences will end a* suddenly as they began and to-morrow may see a big war cloud 011 the horizon. Just exactly what course General Obregon informed General Scott the Mexican Government would pursue, in case the United States rejects its propositions, is nob known, but tho talk among the generals who accompanied the Minister of "War north indicates that they have but 011 c thing in mind, and that is nothing more or less than an attack on General Pershing's columns at Namaquipa and Colonia Dublan. after duo notice has been served on them to leave tho country. | MEXICANS BELLICOSE. Tho Mexican officials have never been as bellicose us they arc to-night. As the news that General Obregon had served I what amounted to an ultimatum on tho Americans spread about Juarez the enthusiasm increased. General Obregon is the idol of the hour in the little .Mexican border town. Gringo stock was very low south of the. Rio Grande, but on this side of the river there is a feeling that a crisis not entirely unwelcome has been reached. There is; absolute faith that General Pershing is more than able to take care of himself in any emergency that may arise, and the feeling, is general that Mexican self-confidence in the strength of its military arm is about to receive a jolt that it will not soon forget. t Unofficial reports place the number of American soldiers ol all branches now in Mexico at close to 7000. There are at least 20.00Q Mexican veterans within striking distance of the punitive expedition, and within a few days, it is believed, as many more could be brought north. In "spite of this disparity in numbers there are no fears for the American j troops. There is an old saying along the border that, one American is good for five- Mexicans any time. In the present contingency the I Americans are splendidly equipped, in ! mounts, supplies and ammunition, and | aro admirably placed for either defenI sivo or offensive warfare. On the other hand, the Mexicans are ! poorly equipped, and for months have ' endured unusual privations because of ! the poverty of the country and the in- | ability to put any purchasing power _hej hind Uie money in which they are paid, j •' General Obregon l as bu + - one ini slrnetion from the de facto Govorn- ; ment, that is to 'demand the withdrawn 1 of the American punitive ox- : pod it ion from Mexican soil at once. 11 o j will take up no other matters. In the s event- thitt (icnerais Scott and 1* unston : refuse this :»m! insist on tho troops remaininn: longer in Mexico and dci rnand the co-operation of Mexican sol- ; diers there will be war. "STAUT IM.MKDIATB ATTACK." ''Obregon will go south to join his i forces and immediately start an at~ ; tack on ih'- American soldiers now j stationed in Mexico. There are fully 1 2<)0,000 Mexican soldiers under arms in I the country, all of whom will bo united i to imbt the common enemy, the United j States. Tlwe "ill b« no extension of time granted by Obregon for the withdrawal. will demand the immediate withdrawal and will not listen to any pleas for extension of time. <e Public sentiment in the interior of Mexico is demanding the withdrawal of the American expedition. Public opinion will force Obregon to take this action. If he wou'd not, his- star would set and the Constitutionalist cause would he lost forever, i "'ln my opinion, unless the Uniied

States troops withdraw they will he annihilated by the .Ale\ioan forces." Several ' 'onservalivr. Mexican,- to whom 1 showed this ---tntnmont; to-nigM. .said thai v/liil - it iva- .-omcwhit bombastic, i'l doubthv-s re flee led the i'rcii::; ot' via; Mexican people. They did u-ii. entirely agree i.hal flic American forr.es would be annihilated. -,u\H one <>\ them. an ox-Governor of tin- Slate oi ('bibii.thua, said thai, lie feared moiv Mexicans would die of .-farvat ion ilnii of bullets, if war was declared, adding: •'STAKVIIW BY TIIOFSAXDS." " Few people in the United States know of ihe. frightful conditions in the country. The- people are literally starving by the thousands. "" The military might pin, up a good fight for a- time, but it. could not- last long il the country was blockaded, as if, doubtless would bo. in the event- of war. The birth rate in the country is now almost nil. Babies unfortunate enough to be born at nil live but a few days.'' This in.-ui is astiong advocate of the. withdrawal of the American troops from Mexico, but lie is not blind to conditions as they actually exist. When the Americans made their? courtesy call in .luarey. lnj;t night, nil tho Mexican troops ive.ro brought out and the best possible military display was made. It was a. poor one at best, as the Mexican soldiers tire ragged and hungry. j ! I