Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-01-03
TO REACH
AGREEMENT FAIL
Mexican-Amer Joint Com
mission Finally Comes to
Parting of Ways.
CARRANzA REFUSES TO SIGN
Intimated That Ambassador
Fletcher Is About to Leave
for Mexico City.
CARRANzA REFUSES TO SIGN
tny Associated rress.l


American joint commission had finished
consideration to-day of General Car
ranzas reply falling to comply with
their demands that the protocol pro-
viding for withdrawal of the American
troops from Mexico he ratified. there
were indications that efforts 10 enter
into an agreement with the de facto
government through the com mission
would be abandoned. For the first
time. an official admission was made
that Carranza had refused TO sign tho
protocol The commissioners said they
expected to draf, their response to
.carranEa tomorrow.
The failure OF the commission to
give to Mexican American relations
brighter aspec, was offset somewhat By
official !ntima,ions that Henry p.
Fletcher. confirmed as, amba assador to
Mexico almost year ago. was about
To start for his post. where American
interests now are represented by
clerk. The report that General Persh-
ing's expedition soon would be with
drawn regardless Of Carranza's atti-
tude gained fresh impetus.
no DEFINITE STATEMENT
rs FORTHCOMING
Mr.. Fletcher conferred with Presi-
dent Wilson after to-day's Capinct
meeting. and later referred inquiries
as 10 whether he would go TO Mexico
10 President Wilson and Secretary
Lansing. No statement was forthcom-
ing from the White House or the state
Department.
Secretary Baker said no plans for
immediate withdrawal OF the troops
had been considered. II is known.
however. that army officers are pressing
strongly for their recall. contending
that in their present position they
cannot be effective toward protecting
the border: that they are in a bad
strategic position. and should he
brought out and distributed along the
border with plans perfected for send
ing a force across the line At some
more desirable point if the occasion
should arise in the future.
Eliseo Arredondo. Mexican ambassa-
dor-designate. announced during the
day that he had been summoned to
Mexico TO confer with General Car
ranza regarding the relations Of tho
two nations. This WAS construed in
some quarters as indicating 4 deter
mination by CarranZa 10 withdraw his
diplomatic representative.
Mr., Arredondo stated. however,. that
he expected to return within few
weeks 10 resume his duties. His family
remains in Washington
Ramon r. Denegri. former consul
general of the Carranza governmeht in
san Francisco, will act as charge OF
the Mexican embassy temporarily.
TEXT OF PROTOCOL
SIGNED BY COMMISSION
The text OF the protocol. signed al
Atlantic City, was made public by the
american commissioners for the first
time
Following is the text OF the pro,ocol.
protocol Gf agreement adj referen
aain' withdrawal of American ,roops
from Mexican territory and protection
OF the American Mexican inrernat;ona,
boundary
Signed at Atlantic City. \. J.. No
vember o4th. 1916.
Memorandum or an ,rre.,p.,.
signed this a4th day of November one
thousand nine hundred and sixteen. by
FRANKLIN X. Lane. George GRAY and
John *. Mott. special commissioners OF
the President OF the United States of
america and Luis Cabrera. Ycnacio
sohiiias and Alberto j. Pant. special
commissioners of the citizen first chief
'l the constitutionalist army intrusted
with the legislative power or the Mex
lean nation
Article l. The government of t,e
United States agrees to begin the
withdrawal of American troops from
Mexican soil as soon as practicable
such withdrawal. subject 10 the further
terms OF this agreement to he com
pleted not later than -. thar 10 70
say, forty 40) days after the approval
of this agreement by both govern
ments.
Article IT, The American commander
shall determine the manner in which
the withdrawal shall be effected so
as TO insure the safety OF the terri
tory affected by the withdrawal.
Article III. The territory evacuated
oE the American troops shall he oc-
cupied and adequately protected bv the
Constitutionalist forces. and such evac-
nation shall take place when the Con-
stttutionalist forces have taken posi-
tion 10 the south OF the American
torces. so as to make effective such
occupation and protea-san. The Mex
lean commissioners shall determine the
plan for the occupation and protection
OF the territory evacuated by the Amer
lean forces.
FRIENDLY COOPERATION
IN CASE OF OBSTACLES
Article ~. The American and Mex
lean commanders shall deal separately
or wherever practicable in friendly CO.
operation with any obstacles which
may arise tending to delay the with
drawal. In case there are any further
activities for the forces nimical to tho
Constitutionalist government which
threaten the safety OF the international
border along the northern section OF
chihuahua. the withdrawal of Amer
ican forces shall not be delayed beyond
the period strictly necessary to over
come such activities.
Article V. The withdrawal OF Amer
lean troops shall be effected BY march
Ing to Columbus. or by using the Mex
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