Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1914-07-01

ORRIS w. ROBERTS,
Section Director.
THE PEACE PROTOCOL.
The first Mexican peace protocol
signed at Niagara Falls accomplishes
one definite result, in the removal
from the situation of the demand of
the United States for satisfaction for
sertain indignities suffered by it at
the hands of the present government
at Mexico City. This government
agrees that it will not in any form,
whatsoever, claim a war indemnity or
'other international satisfaction"
Further than this the protocol is
effective for the establishment of Mex.
lean peace only so far as 1t is follow
ed by a successful agreement between
the constitutionalists and the Huert.
istas. 1t provides for the organization
Of a provisional government in Mex
leo ''by agreement of the delegates
representing the parties between
which the internal struggle in Mexico
is taking place." The United States
agrees, together with the other medi.
ating powers, to recognize this pro-
visional government Immediately. 1t
Is declared that the provisional gov
eminent will proclaim an absolute
amnesty to all foreigners for any and
all political offenses committed dur.
ing the civil war in Mexico" and that
1t will negotiate for commissions to
settle all claims Of foreigners on ac-
count Of damages 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 govern
ment, all this protocol means is that
II the now c%ontending parties in Mex.
leo can get together and agree upon
O. provisional government it will be
recognized by the United States, Ar
gentine, Brazil and Chile. In advance
Of any formal agreement by the on.
stitutionalists to treat with the fed
erals for the pacific establishment of
a provisional government no pledge
can be given by the mediators or the
delegates assembled at Niagara Falls
binding a provisional government that
may be established to grant amnesty
or to create claims commissions. In.
deed. 80 far as the provisional gov.
eminent in Mexico is concerned the
protocol may be regarded rather as a
statement Of hope than as a guaranty.
Indeed, Just at this moment there is
less reason to expect the constitution
alists to adopt a negotiatory attitude
that at any stage of the revolution.
simultaneously with the announce
ment Of the protocol comes word that
Villa has captured Zacatecas, with
heavy losses on both sides, and that
the constitutionalists are now moving
southwark against San Luis Potosi, on
their way to Mexico City. 1t is hard
ly to be expected that this triumphant
advance against the stronghold Of the
Huerta government will be checked
for the sake of organizing a provi-
sonal government on a compromise
basis, when the definite capture Of
the entire machinery of Mexican ad.
m%inistration is now probably only a
matter Of a few weeks.
II the C%arranzistas were members
Of the mediation proceedings, in good
faith, this protocol would have q far
deeper significance than can now. be
attached to it. But from the outset
they have refused to join the peace
movement On the basis of an arms.
tice. 1t may be that the mediators
have private assurances of a DISPOSE
ton on the part Of the victorious v
luttonists to treat with the steadily
retreatfng federals, but nothing has
been disclosed to warrant any conf
dent assumption on that score. On
the contrary, while representatives Of
the Ca%rranzistas have appeared at Nj
asara Falls they have not established
themselves on the basis of representa-.
tion.
Having completely Withdrawn it's
demands for satisfaction for affronts
received At the hands Of the Mexican
government-that is to say. the gov