The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1916-12-19
PROTOCOL NOT SIGNED.
Comes Back From Carranza as Unsatis-
factory Document.

Philadelphia, Dec l9.--(fen. Carranza 8
representatives on the Mexican American
Joint commission admiAsed yesterday to
the American membersAHlat the protocol
signed three weeks ago at Atlantic City
had not been ratified. They supplement
ed that admission, however, with dec
laration of the attitude of the Carranza
government and assured the Americans
that the delay in ratification did not sig
nifty the rejection pf the agreement which
they had signed after almost three
months of consideration.
The exact character of the communi-
cation from the Mexieans was not made
public but it was evident at the close OF
the conference that both Americans and
Mexicans regarded as probable the Off
cial sanction of the protocol and the re-
sumption of the sessions at which 1T has
been planned to discuss qestions at issue
between the governments of the United
States and Mexico.
Two sessions were held and late yes
terday when the commission adjourned
il was announced that another meeting
would be held to-day. Unless a break in
the conference, now unexpected occurs, it
was believed last night that the sessions
might be continued until near the end Of
the week. when an adjournment would be
taken until after New Years day.
Why Carranza Refused.
II was indicated that Carranza had
withheld ratification when the protocol
was submitted to him by Alberto J. PAM,
the commissioner who carried the doeu-
ment from Atlantic City to Queretaro,
not so much because he found the terms
of the agreement impossible, as because
he felt that the declaration of the United
States governments attitude made by
Secretary of the Interior Lane as chair
man OF thsa commission, made it ineon-
sistent for him to accept 1T without In
turn defining the position of his govern
ment. Secretary Lane had placed before
the Mexican commissioners supplement
tai statement in which he had clearly
indicated that the American government
was determined to witness an improve
ment in conditions in Mexico and that II
il became necessary American troops
would be sent across the border in pur-
suit of bandits and that no restrictions
as to how far the pursuit would be car
ried would be tolerated.
Although it was not included in the
protocol Carranza interpreted Secretary
Lanes statement as vitally connected
with the agreement and has protested
against the pursuance of such policy by
the United States. To the conditions
named in the protocol for the withdrawal
of American troops now in Chihuahua
under Gen. Pershing. it is understood he
made no serious objection. The terms
for their withdrawal are that they shall
be taken out within 40 days after ratiti-
cation of the protocol if in that time
bandits have not altered conditions in
that part of the country so materially
that the peace of the border would be
menaced, and that Carranza would garri-
son the territory as the Americans are
withdrawn.
Carranza signed no communication to
the commission, but authorized Mr.. PAM
to draft and to submit the statement in
tended as a counter declaration of pol
lev. 1t was learned that the Mexican
commissioners were empowered to use
their Judgment in phrasing the document
and that they were urged by Carranza
not To cause break with the Americans
if it could be avoided.