Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-11-21
BREAK IS NEAR FOR
MEXICAN Commission
Wilson Backs American Men,
berS for Agreement or
Early End of Conferences
(Ry Associated Press


WASHINGTON, Nov. 20.-Armed with
President Wilson's complete approval Of
his course, Secretary Lane will return
to Atlantic City today determined to
bring the sessions of the American
Mexican joint commission to an early
conclusiOn. He is still hopeful that an
agreement as. to the border situation
can be reached, but it was clearly indi-
Gated today in official circles that the
Joint conference is entering on its final
phase, agreement or no agreement.
If the commissioners find it impos-
sible to formulate a plan the view TAX
en- here will be that the prospect
of settling border disputes through
diplomacy will be remote. Officials
make no prediction, however, as to
what steps the Washington government
might find it necessary to take in
that event to insure the safety of Dor
der towns and ranches.
EFFORTS REVIEWED.
Secretary Lane is understood to have
found President Wilson, Secretary Ian
sing and Secretary Baker in full ac-
cord with him on every point when he
laid before them in a three-hour con-
ference at the White House a review Of
the efforts the American commissioners
had made to reach a settlement. Every
step proposed by Mr.. Lane in behalf
of his colleagues was approved by the
president and the SECRETARY returns to
his task backed by the unwavering
support Of the administration in what
ever course has been mapped out.
Mr.. Lane said today he was well
plased with the results Of the White
House conference, but would not other
wise comment.
1t is an open secret that Luis Ca
brera, Carranza minister of finance and
president of the Mexican commission,
has proved the stumbling block in the
way Of reaching an agreement Com
missioners Bonillas and PAM, it is said,
have been ready to approve several
suggestions for cooperative action. Ca
brera, however, held out for control of
any joint operations by a Mexican mill
tary commander, a concession the
American commissioners did not feel
warranted in making.
1t is belieYable here that the Ameri-
can commissioners have now abandoned
the effort TO frame an agreement sat
isfactory to the MeXicans in every de-
tail and will renew today their original
suggestions; that each government pa
troll it's own side of the line independent
ly, but with the understanding that
American troops will pursue into Mex
leo on a hot trail any bandits who at
tack border towns.
TROOP WITHDRAWAL.
Coupled with that suggestion presum-
ably was the statement that General Per-
shing's forces would be withdrawn grad
uaIly from Mexico, and that no large
force would be sent across the line
again unless the de faCto government
permitted raiders to assemble in such
force in Mexico that a strong expedi-
tion was necessary to prevent a Sc
rious attack.
Army officials believe that the Amer
lean expeditionary force soon will be-
moving toward the border, regardless
of the turn events may take at At
lantic City. In it's present position,
many officers hold, the expedition
would be Of no strategic value should
general hostilities break out while the
long line of communication with this
advance bases is a constant source of
danger and more or less vulnerable at
general p2ints.
official advices from the border to-
day indicated that all of the Americans
at Parral had made their escape and
will soon arrive in Nogales, Ariz. There
has been much anxiety here because of
persistent reports that Villa bandits
had put many foreigners to death when
they raided the town recently.
The advices indicate that the Villa
forces are not in actual possession of
Parral, Jimenez or any of the other
towns in that region which border re-
ports have said they controlled.