The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1916-11-30
AGREEMENT ON
BORDER PATROL
Mexican American Commits
sioners Sign Protocol
GEN. PERSHIHG TO COME OUT
Punitive Expedition to Depart From
Mexico Forty Days After Govern
ments Ratify Agreement.

protocol providing for the with
drawal of the American troops in Mex
leo and for the patrol of the border
was signed late last week by the mem
bers of the Mexican-American joint
commission.
Although not Incorporated in the
written agreement, the American COM
missioners told the MeXicans that this
government would reserve the right to
pursue across the border into Mexico
any bandit force that had crossed the
international boundary line into the
United States.
/ The protocol signed provides for the
withdrawal of the American troops
commanded by General Pershing with
in forty days of the date of its final
approval unless by that time the con-
ditiOns in northern Mexico have be-
come such that the American border
is endangered by bandits.
Control of the border has been left
to the respective armies of the two
governments, each to patrol its own
side. The question of cooperation on
the border is left to the commanding
officers of the two armies on the bor-
der.
Adjournment for two weeks, re-
quested by the Mexican representa-
tives, was granted by the American
commissioners.
Secretary Lane and the other two
American representatives left for
their homes. Luis Cabrera and Ig
nacio Bonillas, the other Mexican rep
resentatives, will remain in the Unit
ed States.
After the protocol was signed Sec
rotary Lane issued statement detin-
ing to certain extent the policy Of
the United States government toward
Mexico. He stated that he believed
General Carranza a strong man and
that he should be given a full
chance" adding that Mexico will
either do right without help or with
it. This is her choice The state
ment in part follows:
The full policy of the United
States with reference TO Mexico IS
not to be stated in a phrase or in any
protocol or series OF protocols. We
are to come out Of Mexico Just as
soon % we can 'decently and in order
and because we have other use for our
troops who are lAere. But this is
only beginning of policy which will
make Me%.-E that We can live with.
"Carr"i1a is strong man, | be
ueve. lis career shows that and his
follcr, r;s admire him to the point Of
re"%sence. lie is the man to be given
a full chance and we shall uphold him
if he is sensible Of the duties of his
nation to the other nations. Mexico
will either do right without our help
or with it. This is her chose.
THE purpose for w5:2u this com
munication was forr-e,; was to exert
our last effort toward making Mexico
a possible neighbor under this consti.
nationalist government. We do not
wish to be forced into Intervention or
any other course until this opportunity
udS Dteu tAIduSltu. % JLlS emu We
must pass from the border matter OF
irritation and immediate concern of
our nationals. These must be made
secure, as secure as is possible in a
country where among the masses of
the people there is a deep distrust of
us. Then we ask that, with our help
or without it, Mexico feed herself and
drive out disease. There will be little
banditry if Mexico gets to work.
This country is pacific, but is not
pacifist, 1t will fight willingly when
it can, fight for something worth while,
and must fight. 1t is our business to
make the occasion impossible, to make
the duty unnecessary, if this may be-.
And so, through many weeks, We have
striven to get upon a basis that will
prepare the way for a new Mexico
one IN which MeXicans and Ameri-
cans and others can live with some
assurance Of safety. But this is a
long way off yet"