Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-06-25
The Peace Protocol.

The first Mexican peace protocol signed
at Niagara Falls accomplishes one def
mite result. in the removal from the stu
alton of the demand Of the United States
for satisfaction for certain indignities
suffered by It at the hands Of the present
government at Mexico City. This gov
eminent agrees that it will not in any
form whatsoever claim a war indemnity
or other international satisfaction"
Further than this the protocol is eff
fective for the establishment of Mexican
peace only SO far as it is followed by
a successful agreement between the con-
stitutionalsts and the Huertistas. 1t
provides for the organization of a pro-
v'sional government in Mexico by agree
n1ent of the delegates representing the
PARTIES between which the internal strug-
gle in Mexico Is taking place" The Unit
ed States agrees. together with the other
mediating powers to recognize this pro-
visionaI government Immediately. 1t is
declared that the provisional govern
ment will proclaim an absolute amnesty
to all foreigners for any and all
political offenses committed during the
civil war in Mexico and that 1t will
negotiate for commissions to settle all
claims of foreigners on account OF dam
ages suffered during the civil war period.
In short, save to the extent that by its
agreement to this protocol the United
States valves all claims for satisfaction
from the Huerta government. all this
protocol means is that IL the now con-
tending parties In Mexico can get to-
gether and agree upon a provisional gov
eminent it will be recognized by the
United States. Argentina. Brazil and
Chile. In advance of any formal agree
ment by the constitutionalists to treat
with the federals for the pacific establish
rnent of provisional government no
pledge can be given by the mediators or
the delegates assembled at Niagara Falls
binding provisional government that
may be established to grant amnesty or
to create claims commissions. Indeed.
so far as the provisional government in
Mexico is concerned the protocol may be
regarded rather as statement of hope
than as guarantee.
Indeed, just at this moment there is
less reason to expect the constitutional
lists to adopt a neEotiatory attitude than
at any stage OF the revolution. Stimuli
taneously with the announcement of the
protocol comes word that Villa has cap
tured Zacatecas. with heavy losses on
are now moving southwark against San
Luis Potosi on their way to Mexico City
1t is hardly to be expected that this tri-
umphant advance against the stronghold
Of the Huerta government will be checked
for the sake of organizing a provisional
government on a compromise basis when
the definite capture of the entire ma
chinery OF Mexican administration is
now probably only matter of a few
weeks.
If the Carranzistas were members of
the mediation proceedings, in good faith,
this protocol would have a far deeper sig
nificance than can now be attached to it.
But from the outset they have refused to
join the peace movement on the basis of
an armistice 1t may be that the medi-
ators have private assurances of a dis
position on the part of the victorious
revolutionists to treat with the steadily
retreating federals. but nothing has been
disclosed to warrant any confident as
sumption on that score On the contrary,
while representatives Of the Carranzstas
have appeared at Niagara Falls they
have not established themselves on the
basis of representation.
Having completely withdrawn its de-
mands for satisfaction for affronts re-
ceived at the hands Of the Mexican gov
ernment-that is to say, the government
at Mexico City-the United States will
doubtless continue to pursue the policy
OF "watchful waiting in the hone that
the now warning factions in Mexico NAV
get together on some basis of pacific ad-
Justment. if they do not work out their
destiny by blood