The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-12-28
Communication Now in Hands
of Translators But Declared
To Be Unfavorable
FIRST CHIEF LOSING
In NORTH MEXICO
Rehabilitation of Villa One of
Most Surprising Features OF
the Situation South OF the
Border

Washington, Dec. 27.-The proto-
col arranged by the commission Oh
American and Mexican delegates. as
a working basis, for the conduct OF
the affairs OF the two governments
Is not satisfactory to First Chief Car
rama A communication from the
head of the de facto government OF
Mexico Directing to the terms OF the
protocol was received here tonight
and was at once placed in the hands
of translators to be prepared for
transmission to the State department.
While the Mexican embassy de-
clined to disclose the contents of the
communication from Carranza or
even to admit it's arrival, il was
learned from official sources that the
reply was unfavorable. 1t was stated
that the first chief questioned the
fairness and equity of the arrange
ment made by the joint commission,
and sought to force continuance OF
negotiations evidently with the hope
OF securing more favorable terms.
Still in Hands of Commission.
What action the administration will
take as result of the CarranZa reply
could not be ascertained tonight, but
feeling Of impatience was apparent
among State department officials.
They declined to discuss the situation.
asserting that the entire matter was
still in the hands OF the joint COM
mission Representatives Of the lat
ter, which is headed by Secretary OF
the Interior Lane. were outspoken in
their belief that the CarranZa gov
eminent has about reached the limit
of the extraordinary patience dis
played toward Mexico. The reply OF
General Carranza, will probably be
49,,
of the commission, which has been
called together by Chairman Lane to
meet in Washington later this week.
The members of the commission are
opposed to any further consideration
Of any counter-proposal which may
be made by the de facto government
OF Mexico They are understood to
be prepared to recommend drastic
diplomatic action unless Carranza &C
cepts the commissions protocol with
out bubble.
Has Been Lenient-
The President throughout his deal
ings with Mexico has shown an in
clination to give the de facto gov
eminent every opportunity to work
out its own salvation, and diplomatic
circles here tonight. while recogniz-
ing that another Mexican "crisis' was
at hand. were not inclined to look for
serious developments. There was
considerable discussion however OF
the probability Of a complete break
in all diplomatic relations with the
Carranza government. The diplo-
matte relations OF the two countries,
however, are exceedingly tenuous at
present. and are conducted entirely
through minor officials of the United
States. and a complete break would
make but little change in the relative
positions of the two countries.
1t would. however. deprive the Car
ranza government of a private moral
support which has been an aid In
building mp the First Chiefs admin
istration.
Washington officials were inclined
to point to the continued and increas-
ing reports OF disturbances In North
ern Mexico as reason for declining
to conduct further wearisome nego-
tiations with the First Chief. They
pointed out that CarranZa represen-
tatives have failed to explain the con-
tinued successes Of villa and other
rebels in Northern Mexico. and that
the Carranxa government has sought
to show that the United States atti-
tude toward the border situation has
been responsible for the continued out
lawry, State Department officials
have bean outspoken in their declara-
lions that Carranxa has had opportuni-
ty to demonstrate his ability to sta
bilixe conditions in Northern Mexico.
and has failed to do so.
Ample Precautions Taken.
While diplomatic officials watched
the situation closely. there was no
fear Of trouble on the border. Despite