File No. 812.00/13578.
Special Agent Carothers to the Secretary of State.
General Villa this morning said that as long as Carranza believed he could control a packed convention he was willing to submit his [Page 612] resignation and consider the convention sovereign, but that as soon as a really representative convention composed of all factions was convened in neutral territory, his ambition came to light and he now will stop at nothing. Villa stated that he is waiting here patiently for Convention to act; that he is using no pressure whatever; and that when he is ordered to move south against Carranza he will do so with keen pleasure.
If consistent before acting upon Canova’s October 22, 7 p.m., please let me know Department’s wishes regarding Vera Cruz.