The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1916-12-19
.CARRANzA FAILS
To SIGN PACT
FAILURE, HOWEVER, DOES
NOT MEAN REJECTION
But is Due to Supplemental
Statement of MIR. Lane
Which is Answered.

PHILADELPHIA, Pa, Dec. 18-
General CarranZa's representatives on
the Mexican-American joint commits.
sion made to the American members
to-day the admission that the proto-
col signed three weeks ago at Allan
tic City had not been ratified. They
supplemented that admission, however.
with a declaration Of the attitude OF
the CarranZa government, and assured
the Americans that the delay in ratlh-
cation did not signify the rejection of
the agreement which they had signed
after almost three munths Of consider
alton.
The exact character of the commu-
nication 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 we're held, and late to-
day when the commission adjourned
it was announced that another meeting
would be held tomorrow. Unless a
break in the conferences. now uneI-
pected. occurs, it was believed tonight
that the sessions might be continued
until near the end of the week. when
an adjournment would be taken until
after New Years day
Ratification Withheld.
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
Queretaro, not so much because be
found the terms of the agreement im-
possible, as because he felt that the
declaration of the United States gov
ernment's attitude made by. Secretary
Of the Interior Lane, as chairman or
the commission, made it inconsistent
for him to accept it without in turn de-
flning the position Of his government.
Secretary Lane had placed before the
Mexican commissioners a supplement-
al statement in which he had clearly
indicated that the American govern
ment was determined TO witness an
Improvement in conditions in Mexico,
and that If it became necessary, Amer
lean troops would be sent across the
border in pursuit of bandits, and tha!
no restrictions as to how far the pur-
suit would be carried would be tolcr-
ated.
carranza Protests.
Although not included in the pro-
!! tocol Carranza interpreted this state
ment 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 with
drawal of American troops now IN
Chihuahua under General PerShlng, II
lis understood he made no serious OBJ.
, lection. The terms for their with
drawal are that they shall he taken
out within forty days after the ratltl'
cation of the protocol if in that time
the bandits have not altered Condl-
tions In that part of the country 80
materially that the peace Of the border
would be menaced, and that CarranZa
would garrison the territory as the
Americans are withdrawn.
Carranza signed no communication
to the commission but authorized Mi.
PAM TO draft and to submit the state
ment intended as il counter.declara-
ton Of policy. 1t was learned that
the Mexican commissioners we're em-
novered to use their judgment in
phrasing the document and that they
were urged by Carranza not TO cause
a break with the Americans If IT
could be avoided.
The attitude of the Americans ap'
peared tonight to be that the message
from Mexico would be considered
carefully and it was indicated that
they perceived in it no insuperaole
bar to further debate.