New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-20
Carranza Processes To Be
Mystihed by u. S.
Protocol
AMERICANS ASK
FOR QUICK ACTION
Final Break Seems Nearer
After Short Session
of COnferrees
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PHILADELPHIA Dec. i9.--General Car
rama Is perplexed 20 know just what
the United States meant by its last
word" to Mexico. lie processes 70 be
mystihed by the terms OF the proposed
protocol, and his representatives in the
Mexican joint commission to-day asked
the American commissioners for fur
Their explanation and more time in
which 10 consider the proposal.
The Americans complied. In four
hundred words they reiterated the
terms upon which the United States
viii withdraw its troops from Mexico
and engage in friendly cooperation
with the dc facto government IN the
suppression Of bandit raids on the in
ternational line. They asked that their
statement be cabled Immediately TO
Carranza and that a reply be returned
forthwith.
The Mexicans pleaded FOR time, and
s-ain the Americans complied. Ac-
cordingly for tho third time since 1t
convened last September the commits
sion adjourned, this time "to an indie
terminate date"-until Carranza signs
the protocol or the long-suferlng pa
t:ence OF the United States il exhaust
ed and negotiations are broken or.
Break Seems Nearer
The latter alternative is nearer TO
night than AZ any other time since the
recognition Of Carranzs. The relations
between the commissioners were
strained almost 10 the breaking point
a. to-dsy's sessions and the aoJour,
ment alone prevented the complete COL
lapse OF the commission. -.
When the commission convened TINS
morning Alberto J. PAM. who took the
protocol TO Csrranzs for signature
told Of the First Chiefs inability 20
understand the significance Of the sep
arAte memorandum which accompanied
the protocol and which gave Carranza
10 understand that the United States
would not agree 70 keep out OF Mexico
until invited 20 enter. but would send
its forces in AZ any time Il the Protec-
ton OF is frontier necessitated sach
action.
This declaration Was contained IN
separate memorandum at the request
Of the Mexicans. who explained inst
its appearance in the protocol proper
would be misconstrued by the Mexican
people and would harm the popularity
OF the First Chief. They agreed 20 the
clause IL il was appended 70 the pro-
tocol and. finally. for the sake Of har-
rnonv and TO make every allowance for
Carranza's difficulties in Mexico, the
Americans accedeo.
Session Is Short
To-day Mr.. PAM asked Il the sp-
pended clauses were 10 be regarded as
conveying the Official understanding
OF the United States. The Americans
responded vigorously in the affirmative.
The note defining again the attitude
OF the United States was quickly but
carefully written, handed TO the Mex
leans, and within five minutes the COM
mission had adjourned.
The communication was intended as
en- answer 20 the note delivered yes
terday TO the Americans by Mr.. PAM
which explained Carranzs's view OF the
relations between the two countries.
The First Chiefs message asked for
information concerning the withdrawal
OF the fertOlUS NoluUu anu the uAutl
standing Of the United States regard
ing its right to pursue the hot trail
into Mexico. These questions led UP
10 suggestions for the modification Of
the American terms.
Reports received from the State De-
partment by the American commission
ers to-day were condensed and incor-
porated in the reply 70 Carranza. Re-
viewing conditions in Northern Mexico.
the State Department reported them as
less satisfactory than when the proto-
col was signed by the American COM
nnissioners al Atlantic City on Novem-
her q. Since then Nillists activity had
increased, until the bandit had domi-
mated the greater part Of the state. It
was pointed out, while other banditry
fourished in Sonora and Durango.
De Facto Forces Demoralized
Tho de facto forces were described
q "demorslized," and conditions of life
generally in tho northern states "in-
tolerable." All this was impressed in
the note 70 the First Chief and the
point made that benefit could not but