File No. 812.00/13278.
Vice Consul Silliman to the Secretary of State.
Immediate reply requested. Break between Villa and Carranza is now hopeless. Villa in telegram to Carranza yesterday disowns him as First Chief and states that he will not participate in convention. It is now expected that convention will be held as announced. It will represent a large majority of the Constitutionalist movement regardless of Villa and Zapata and will formulate a provisional government that, it is hoped, will meet the approval of the United States. The convention will be loyal to Carranza.
Carranza, thinking that my presence might be of service at this time to Mexico and the United States, has urgently requested that I go immediately to Washington. He has placed a special train to the border at my disposal. After consulting with the Brazilian Minister I assume all the responsibility and am leaving Mexico tonight. Mr. Belt remains to represent me.