New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-08-09
Expected to Announce the
Names of Americans
Chosen To-day.
MEETING MAY BE
AT ASBURY PARK
Steffens and Bowling May Get
Places on the Com.
mission.
from Tue Tribune Bureau J

Washington, Aug. Announcement
Of the names of the three American
commissioners TO meet with the rep
resontatives Of General Carranza for
the settlement Of border questions
will be made at the White House to-
morrow. it is expected. The President
is understood already 70 have chosen
the American members and to be
merely awaiting their acceptance be-
fore replying 20 the Mexican note.
Final approval of the commission
plan followed the Cabinet meeting
this morning. Although il is under
stood that the Mexican question was
not discussed formally, acting Secre-
tary of State Polk is said to have laid
before the President assurances from
Ambassador Designate Arredondo that
the "Preferenciamenta" Of Carranza's
note did net reject the American re-
quest for broadening of the scope
Of the commission. State Department
officials were inclined 10 see an in
sistence on Carranza's original terms
for limiting the extent of the inquiry.
In a call on Secretary Polk. before
the Cabinet meeting this morning. MI:
Arredondo is said 20 have explained
more fully the meaning of the Spanish
word that puzzled the Department
Carranza meant, he declared, that the
three groups of questions-those re-
lating TO policing of the border, the
investigation of past raids and OF
their origin-were to be preferred
merely in point Of time. After they
were disposed of he was willing that
the commission should take up the mat
ters desired by the President.
Unlikely to Name Justices.
No one outside those who have been
in closest touch with the President
on the Mexican situation knows the
names Of the men chosen for the COM
mission. The President has conferred,
il is believed, with no one but Secre-
tsry Polk; not even Ambassador
Fletcher, who has handled most Of the
negotiations for the State Department,
having been called into consultation.
Reports that Chief Justice White,
Justice Brandeis or Secretary Lane
would be among the American commits
sioncrs are not taken seriously in cir
cles familiar with the Administration
course. The President would not oe
likely to name the big calibre men when
Mexico is sending as her representa-
tives what are regarded here as COM
paratively second rate men. While
Luis Cabrera, formerly the Carranza
agent here, is possibly one Of the ablest
OF the First Chiefs followers, the other
two, Seniors Bonillas and PAM, are
engineers and have not been particu-
larly prominent in the revolution.
To appoint Americans of the promi-
nence of Justices White and Brandeis
10 such a body, it is pointed out, would
be like taking a court and making II
coroner's jury. In addition, il is de-
clared that matters coming before the
commission may later be brought be-
fore the Supreme Court, especially in
reference 10 claims, and that justices
who had sat on the commission would
be disqualified to pass on the cases.
May Appoint steffens.
With the Presidents known SYM
patty for the revolutionists, however, IT
is certain that one Of the American
commissioners at least will be radl-
cal. Lincoln Steffens, who has made an
exhaustive study of Mexican conditions
and who has been much in evidence in
Washington lately in conference with
Administration officials, has been sug-
cested in some quarters as possible
choice
II seems fairly certain also that one
Of the remaining members will be a
prominent Catholic, probably from New
York. Judge Victor J. Bowling, of the
New York Supreme Court, has been
mentioned in this connection.
Following the announcement OF the
commissions personnel the time and
place OF its meeting will be chosen,
This is believed to have been discussed
between Ambassador Arredondo and
Mr.. Polk to-day. In Mexican circles
Asbury Park has been favored, and the
Administration also prefers some place
on the Jersey coast. AS the Mexican
commissioners will require at least a
week 10 reach the United States, II is
not thought the first session could be
held for at least ten days or two weeks.