The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-12-19

break in the conferences, now unex- 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.
 It was indicated that Carranza had withheld ratification when the pro- tocol was submitted to him by Alberto P. Pani, the commi ssioner who car ried the document from Atlantic City to Queretaro. not so much because he found the terms of the agreement inn 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 of the commission, made it inconsistent TOT him to accept it without in turn de- fining the position of his government. Secretary Lane had placed before the Mexican commissioners suplemental statement in which he had clearly 1ndi- cated that the American government was determined to witness an lm-
 provement in conditions in Mexico and that if it became necessary American troopers would be sent across the DOT der in pursuit of bandits and that no restrictions as to how far the pursuit would be carried would be tolerated
 CARRANZA PROTESTS Al Carranza interpreted this statement as vitally connected with the agreement and has protested against the pursuance or such a policy by the United States. TO the conditions named in the protocoi TOT the withdrawal of American troops no"
 in Chihuahua City under General Persn- ing it is understood he made no serious objection. The terms for their With drawal are that they shall be taken out of ratification or the nrotocol if in that time bandits have not altered conditions in that part of the country So materially that the peace or the border would be menaced and that Carranza would garrison the territory as the Americans are withdrawn.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 MT. Pani to draft and to submit the statement in tended as q counter declaration of pol icy. It 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 Amer fca As if 1t could be avoided.
 The attitude of the Americans appeared today to be that the message from Mex ico would be considered carefully and it was indicated that they perceived in it no insuperable bar to further debate. Mr Pani appeared today as the donli-
 
 nant member of the Mexican commission, although Luis Cabrera retained officially the chairmanship. He explained verbally to the Americans at the forenoon session the manner in which Carranza received the protocol and later discussed the de- tails of his visit to Queretaro with Dr. J. R. Mott of the American commission,
 at lunch. The written report was placed before the commissioners at the after noon session.
 The Americans did not give the Mexi- cans a reply, but after the late session considered the counter declaration at g
 meeting by themselves.
 MT, Pani said after the conference that he believed a satisfactory arrangement would be reached and the Americans were hopeful that the meeting tomorrow would bring them nearer to an under standing that would be followed by the ratification of the protocol either by Car ranza himself or by one he might author ize to act for him.
 was 5753.