Norwich bulletin., 1916-12-19
Cprranza Fails to
 Ratify Protocol
ADMITTED BY MEXICAN MEM
 RERs OF COMMISSION
THE REASONS ASSIGNED
Felt That the Declaration by the United etates Would Gall for Like Paper Defining the Position of the Mexican Government.

Philadelphia, Dec 1S.-General Carr
 ranZa's representatives on the Mexi- can-American joint commission admit
 ted today to the American members
 that the protocol signed three weeks ago at Atlantic City had not been rati-
 fled. They supplemented that admis-
 sion, however, with a declaration of
 the attitude of the CarraEza govern
 ment and assured the Americans that
 the delay in ratification did not signi-
 which they had signed after almost
 three months of consideration.
 Exact Character Not Made Public.
 The exact eharact1 of the communi-
 cation from the Mexicans was not
 made public but it was evident at the close of the conference that both the
 Americans and Mexicans regarded as probable the official sanction of the protocol and the resumption of the ses- sions at which it has been planned to
 discuss questions at issue between the governments of the United States and Mexico.
 Two sessions were held and late to- day, when the commission adjourned it was announced that another meeting would be held tomorrow. Unless break in the conferences, now unex- pected, occurs, it was believed to- night that the sessions might be con- tinued until near the end of the week when an adjournment would be taken until after New Years day.
 Why Carranza Withheld Ratification It was indicated that Carranza had withheld ratification when the protocol was submitted to him by Alberto J. Pani, the commissioner who carried the document from Atlantic City to Quere- taro, not so much because he found the terms of the agreement impossible I as because he felt that the declaration | of the United States governments at l titude made by Secretary of the 1nte- | rior Lane as chairman of the commits | sion, made it inconsistent for him to l accept it without in turn defining the 1 position of his government. Secretary Lane had placed before the Mexican commissioners supplemental state rnent in which he had placed before the Mexican commissioners a supple mental statement in which he had clearly indicated that the American l an improvement in conditions in Mexi- l co and that if it became necessary the i American troops would be sent across | the border in pursit of bandits and i that no restrictions as to how far the ] pursuit would be carried would be tol- l erated. Although not included in the l protocol, Carranza interpreted this 1 statement as vital1y connected with | the agreement and has protested 1 against the pursuance of such a policy 1 by the United States.
 No Serious Objection to Troops. l To the conditions named in the pro- l tocol for the withdrawal of American troops now in Chihuahua under Gen.
 eral Pershing. it is understood he made no serious objections. The terms o1 their withdrawal are sslat they shall be taken out within forty days after rat ification of the protocol if in that time bandits have not altered conditions ir | that part of the country so materially that the peace of the border would be | menaced and that Carranza would garrison the territory as the Ameri cans are withdrawn.
 1 CarranZa signed no communication to the commission, but authorized MT ! Pani to draft and to submit the state. ment intended as a counter -declara.
 tion of policy. It was learned tha-
 the Mexican commissioners were em.
 powered to use their judgment il
 phrasing the document and that they
 were urged by Carranza not to cause
 a break with the Americans if it could
 be avoided.