The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-12-30
.CARRAEzA'S HITCH IS
ON PtRSH|NG'S FORCE
Long As Mexican Sovereignty Is
Impaired by army's Presence.
NOTE EXTREMELY DIPLOMATIC
Reported to Re One of the Most Po-
lite Communications Ever Passed
Between the Two American Re
publics.

Washington, Dec. 2e.-First Chief
Carranza is unwilling TO negotiate
any of the questions at issue between
the United States and Mexico pend
ing the withdrawal of the American
expeditionary force now in Mexico
under the command OF Major-Gen-
eral rershing. This and apparently
this alone is the objection raised by
the first chief to signing the joint
international commissions protocol.
DiVested Of its conCilistory verhiage-
which is admittedly the most polite
and well item pered of any yet embod-
led in one OF the Mexican de facto
governments commandments
answer OF Carranza to the demand
of the American commissioners for
his signature to the document amounts
20 nothing more.
In his note CarranTa directs the at
;ention OF this government to tho
fact that the Constituencies gov
eminent OF Mexico never gave con-
sent for the crossing OF the border
line by the American troops. This
being the case, he says his govern
ment is unable to make the with
drawa, of the American column a
condition precedent to the formation
Of treaty.
In politest language, the first chief
suggests TO the American government
that all questions now in dispute
shall be held in allegiance pending
he withdrawal of the American
forces. following which he will be
very glad TO arrange for "A Joint COM
mission to set Alright the entire In
ternational situation in which the two
salient matters OF importance are the
protection of foreigners from death
Or despoliment and the protection O!
the international boundary line from
narauding bands Of Mexican outlaws
How Carranza's latest suggestion Ia
viewed by the administration Is prob
lematical. 1t is expressed In some
quarters that President Wilson and
his advisers may he willing to toler
ate further negotiations in the hope
of nxerting a return TO the status OF
affairs so mbarrassing to the United
states. that preceded the creation OF
the joint commission.
Views Firmly Fixed.
The views of the American com
mssioners Secretary Lane. Judge
Gray and Mr.. Mott, are believed to
be quite firmly fixed. All three OF
the commiss oners feel that the United
tSAH LEE BONtl UiHCHh EoAo luat dc
far as 1t could to help save the face
of the CarranZa government before
the Mexican people. They are ex-
pected to stand pat" on their firm
position assumed last week. They be-
lieve that the objections presented by
General Carranza in his last note are
exactly the same as those advanced
by him previously and which the
American missioners have already
told the Mexican commissi oners are
untenahle and not to be considered a,
all
1t was suggested in Washington TO-
night that with the meeting OF the
Joint commission now set for Tues
day, January 2. there Is a probability
that Carranza will continue In his
present attitude until almost the last
minute. and then seeing that the
American com missioners are unim-
pressed with his present ''frmness.
Weld as last resort. He would Their
hope that yielding in this way would
not be considered weakness by the
unfriendly element OF his people. but
patriotic action taken with a view
20 assuring the restoration of interna.
fionsi a,rtty as between the two re.
publics.
Rebels Multiply.
Continued success by the followers
of villa and other rebel leaders ir
various sections OF Mexico are not
making Carranza's course any tht
easier, on the other hand. the Vii
iista activities do present him some
slight excuse for admitting 70 tn,
people OF those sections of Mexico
where comparative peace reigns tina,
the presence Of the American force
although IN defiance OF the sovereign
~ of Mexico. does in a measure pre-
vent the spread of rebellion and re
moves the danger of an actual inter.
vention.
r. Eliseo AIRED ondo. the ambassador
designate OF Mexico. remained II
Washington today. His departure
originally planned. for today, wa:
postponed. How indefinite the post
ponement could not be ascertained
State Department authorities ad
mitted that unof'lcially they had beer
appraised OF the diplomats intention
to depart. but he had not yet pre-
scented himself for his formal fare
wells