File No. 812.00/12305.
Special Agent Carothers to the Secretary of State.
It was impossible to prevent breach between Villa and Carranza, but Villa’s plan, if carried out, will not interfere with progress of revolution. His troops have left Torreon for Zacatecas and will push forward toward Mexico rapidly. Whenever he encounters other revolutionary leaders he will give them the option of fighting under him or of going to some other division: to Gonzalez or Obregón. When they reach Mexico, Villa says, he will bend to the will of all the generals and deliver the presidency to whomsoever they select in a council of generals, even if it be to Carranza. He does not intend hostilities toward Carranza, but says he will still receive orders from him when they do not interfere with his military operations.* * * I asked him his position as to mediation and he replied that should the United States recommend a certain course to him it would receive profound consideration as he knew the friendship that exists towards Mexico and that the United States would recommend nothing that would not be beneficial to the country.