Norwich bulletin., 1916-09-07
THEN CRUISE IN FOG ON LONG
ISLAND SOUND
Credentials and Views Exchanged at
First Meeting of Joint Commission
at New Observation-Disclosures of
American Troops and Protection of
American Property Rights in Mex
ico Will Be Disposed of Early.

New London, Conn.,, Sept Ga three
hour session, largely of a routine and
preliminary character, marked the
formal opening today of the discussion
Of the relations between Mexico and
the United States by commissions ap-
pointed by each government. Creden-
tials We're echanged by the commits
sioners, a general talk over the sltua-
tion in Mexico, and particularly along
the border, followed and then a recess
was taken until Friday to permit Luis
Cabrera, head of the Mexican party,
to attend to personal business in BOs-
ton. There was 30 formal presenta-
ton of views on either the specific or
general matters which will be reviewed
at length later.
Secretary Lane was host to the
party in the afternoon aboard the
presidential yacht Mayfower, only Mr..
Cabrera being absent. The yacht
cruised for an hour or two in heavy
fog in Long Island sound, picking her
way slowly from fog whistle to fog
whistle. AS she dropped anchor on
her return off the hotel where the
conferences are being held the first
opportunity was given for full naval
honors to be paid to the commission
ers. The Mexican flag was hoisted at
the foremast, officers in full dress
the party left the ship, and a minute
later the 19gun salute to which the
commissioners are entitled doomed out
while band, bugJe and boatswain's
whistle played their part in the cere-
mouy.
Statement of Days Meeting.
A brief review of what transpired
at today's meeting was prepared at
the direction of Secretary Lane and
Mr.. Cabrera. Tt follows:
This mornings session lasted three
hours, from 10 to l. during which Mr..
Cabrera presided The first matter of
Importance was the presenting of mu-
tual credentials. In accordance with
the Mexican form of opening confer
ences, Mr.. Cabrera made a declaration
of the purpose of the Mexican mem
bers cf the commission, saying that 1t
was their duty to fulfill in every way
possible the great responsibility cast
upon them by First Chief Carranza
and that they all stood committed to
giving their full powers to bringing
to conclusion this conference in
such a manner as would be most
profitable to Mexico and the United
States After that. Mr.. Cabrera stat
ed that it was the desire of the Mexi-
can members of the commission that
the fullest information should be given
to the commission regarding all mat
ters involved and that they were quite
really to meet the Americans in a
spirit Of utmost frankress.
t'Tfe members of the commission
then exchanged views in general
about the situation in Mexico and
especially on the border. with the view
to making q preparatory study Of the
subject. During the conference the
commissioners reviewed the growth,
control and strength of the constitu-
tfonal government, which has become
every day stronger during the Ia ST
two years, and in particular since tie
recognition of the constitutional de
facto government, showing that order
was being established throughout the
republic, railroad service being ex-
tended etc.