The Sentinel=record., 1916-12-31
OFFICIALS ADMIT THAT
 CONDITIONS EMBARRASSING
Army Officers Urge That the Alter. ed Conditions in Mexico Make 1t imperative to Bring the t2,ooo Men Now in Mexico to Positions on the Border.

Washington, Dec 30.-Increasine evidence that General Carranzas gov ernment is being menaced by bands lof insurgents, coupled with the pros pect that the first chief will moi ac- cept the Atlantic City protocol un, less the conditions it attaches 10 withdrawal of the American troops are eliminated, has brought the Mex lean situation 10 a stage of uncer tamty that is causing growing con. Cern here.
 While officials admit that the c5a. dltlons they confront are embarrass- ing and some high army officers are urging that Pe1shings men be with drawn as a military step and regard less of conditions, it is insisted that so far there has been no change in the administration policy. The Amer. ican members of the joint commis- sion which drew the Atlantic City pro. tocol will meet here Tuesday 20 over modification and to consider whether any basis is offered for further con ferences with the Mexican commis- sioners. Charles A. Douglas, an at torney for the Carranza government. saw Counsellor Polk of the state de- partment today and Is understood to have made a further plea for with drawal of the troops.
 Several army officers of high rank are no longer attempting to concea their impatience over the joint com missions failure to secure ratifica- tio1 of an agreement and openly are urging that the altered conditions n Mexico make it imperative to bring the 12,000 men now in Mexico to p2s- itlons on the border, where they could be handled to better advantage, if it becomes necessary.
 Reports to the state and war de- partments today supported unofficial advices indicating that Villa is rapid ly gaining a strength i1 northern Mex ico that makes his suppression by the CarranZa army appear doubtful Al the same time followers of Felix Diaz are said to be making trouble in tho south, while Manuel Palaez and othe- rebel leaders are gaining ground in the centrai portions of the republic.
 Official advices indicated that the Carranza forces in Saltillo two days ago were anticipating an attack by Villa forces. The governor of the state had directed that the govern ment archives be prepared for remo- val and many prominent civilians and officials had sent their antilles to the border. Successes of the Villa forces about Torreon were confirmed by the advices.
 Villas operations iii the past few weeks have convinced army men here that he and other leaders Of the =e- actionary movement are following d plan of campaign having for it's im- mediate object the recruiting of an army and the collection of equipment rather than the occupation ot terri tory. 1t is pointed out that Villa has entered towns of important in north-
 
 sumcd operations on larger scale only to surrender them again without struggle. The net result has been to add to his fighting strength mate rialiy through the conversion of Car ranza soldiers captured and deserting into rebel troops and through cap tores of arms and ammunition, in- cluding about 90 pir-tl of artillery.
 Unofficial reports. ay that Villa was on his way to, huahua again caused no surprise since if is known that C. raLAN Nkguia's force there is not atlxsnst itd with am munition, an ns es of dis :;,, ;,,,,,I,I - (i::5:; :: .;',.i. ': !