File No. 812.00/13638.
Special Agent Canova to the Secretary of State.
My October 23, 11 p.m. The communication of General Carranza came before the Convention tonight. General Chao, one of the committee who went to invite General Carranza to attend, stated that he had refused to come in person or send a delegate, and had refused to recognize the sovereignty of the Convention until he was informed how far that sovereignty went, when he would decide as to recognizing it. Carranza’s communication was then read; it announced his willingness to retire if Villa and Zapata were also retired to private life; if not, he was prepared to use the army at his command to fight the enemies of the Government; he accused Villa of wishing to put himself in a position where he could dictate the naming of the President and Congress, but expressed ignorance of Zapata’s aspirations.