New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-05-27
.,,.r,., statement. by the diplomats

guarded statements by the diplomats
engaged in the Negotiations that no
protocols have been drafted. That is
due to the fact that the word "proto-
col is used in several senses. At this
time II IL used to indicate the formal
writing, duly agreed TO. OF a single
paragraph. while at other times IT is
used TO designate only the final agree
ment which will comprise all the in
dividual para graphs which have been
serially agreed TO.
There has been consistent effort
by the mediators to avoid anything In
the nature OF dictation. They are de-
termlned TO refrain from anything
which might be construed as debating
the affairs of Mexico. To this end they
have so guided the programme oil
negotiations as TO lead the delegates
themselves 10 formulate and propose
plans and to agree on them among
themselves SO that the extent to which
the mediators conceived and devised
the plans and directed their consid-
Grafton will never be known.
II was with this end in view that
they urged that the services OF
stenographer be dispensed with. Sec
retary Bryan had expected that his
protege and representative in Niagara,
Robert Rose. would act as stenog-
rapher at the mediation conferences
But In order ~ prevent any record OF
the objections of delegates, which
record might make it embarrassing for
them to change their minds or make
subsequent concessions. the mediators
proposed and the delegates agreed that
the services Of a stenographer should
not be employed
Land Question Minin,ized.
From the standpoint of the Mexican
delegates, there IS no serious lana
situation in Mexico. They assert that,
instead Of land holdings being sradu-
ally concentrated in the hands OF the
few, they were originally vested in the
few through large grants OF unoccu-
pied land. and these are being gradu-
ally broken up and dispersed among an
ever increasing number Of land owners.
They assert, moreover, that the agrari-
an policy was merely a policy, and
largely a vagary, by which Madero
rode into power.
Despite the fact that they entertain
this view, however. the Huerta dele
gates are prepared to make material
concessions TO the views Of President
Wilson and to embody in the prospec-
tive protocol a clause pledging the pro-
visional government TO deal with this
question along the most enlightened
and progressive lines.
The dense ignorance Of the people
makes every step in this direction most
difficult. The case was cited to-day by
a large landowner in Mexico Of a great
hacienda which he broke up into small
parcels, deciding them in return for a
certain amount Of service to the poems
working thereon.
The experiment proved a failure,
however, for the reason that the poems,
with no conception OF the value of
deeds, promptly bartered them away
for mere pittances TO an American
syndicate.
The outcome Of the affair was al
most amusing. The syndicate was I'M
able 10 administer the land with
profit and was compelled TO make vio-
lent efforts almost TO give it away to
escape the taxes assessed thereon.
Reports reaching here from Mexico
City indicate a greatly improved feel
ing there as result Of the prospect
Of success Of the peace conference. The
Federal forces, which have been wo-
fully destitute OF ammunition. have
procured large quantities from some
unknown source and their confidence
has increased with their store OF dry
powder Moreover, the Constitutional
ists. who have been getting farther
and farther from their base Of sup
niles. appear TO have reached stand
still and il is believed by the Mexi-
cans here that il will be some time
before they are able again to under