The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1916-11-20
DEADLOCK in
CONFERENCE

Washington, Nov. 20.--Ar1ned with
President Wilson's complete approval
of his course Secretary Lane returned
to Atlantic City today determined to
bring the sessions of the American
Mexican joint commission to an early
conclusion. He still is hopeful an
agreement as to the border situation
can be reached but it was clearly
indicated today in official circles that
the Joint conference is entering on its
final phase, agreement or no agree
ment.
If the commissioners find 1t i'm
possible to formulate a plan the view
taken 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 govern
ment might find necessary to insure
the safety of border towns and ram
ches.
Secretary Lane is understood to
have found President Wilson, Secre-
tary Lansing and Secretary Baker in
full accord with him on every point
night in a three hour conference 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 today said he was well
pleased with the results of the White
House conference but would not 9TH
erwise comment.
1t is an open secret that Luis Cab
rera. 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. 1t is
said, have been ready to approve sew
eral different suggestions for cooper
ative action. Cabrera, however, held
out for control of any joint opera
tions by a Mexican military COM
mander. a concession the American
commissioners did not feel warranted
in making.
1t is believed here the American
commissioners have now abandoned
the effort to frame an agreement salts
factory to the Mexicans II, every detail
and will renew tomorrow their origin
al suggestion that each government
patrol its own side of the line inde-
pendently but with the understanding
that American troops will pursue into
| Mexico on a hot trail any bandits who
attack border towns. Coupled with
that suggestion presumably, was the
statement that General Pershing's 8
forces would be withdrawn gradually
from Mexico and that no large force
would be sent across he line again
lunless the de facto government per-
+, mitted raiders to assemble in such
force in Mexico that a strong expedi-
tion was necessary to prevent seri-
Gus attack.
| Army officials believe the American
expeditionary force soon will be NOV
| ing toward the border, regardless of
the turn events may take at Atlantic
City. In its present position, many
officers hold the expedition would be
| OF no strategic value should general
hostilities break out. Since the with
drawal was one of the main things
pressed for by the Mexican commits
sioners 1t was understood here the
troops would not be ordered home
while negotiations were pending. If
| the commission dissoIves. however, IT
| is believed there will remain no reason
| for keeping the expedition where 1t is.
Official advices from the border yes
terday indicated that all of the Ameri-.
cans at Parral had escaped and will
soon arrive in Nogales, Ariz. There
has been much anxiety because of
persistent reports that Villa bandits
had put many foreigners to death
when they raided the town recently.