Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-01-02
|ClRRAAEA REGIME
SHAKY; SITUATION
EMBARRASSING j. s.
High Army Officers Urge That
PerShing Force Be With
drawn - Uncertainty About
F.. Negotiations With Cananza
CBy Associated Pr=sS-)


WASHINGTON, Dec. Embarrassing
evidence that General Carranza's govern
ment is being menaced by bands of in
surgents. coupled with the prospect that
The frSt chief will not accept the At
iantic City protocol unless the conditions
il attaches 70 withdrawal OF the Amert-
can troops are eliminated, has brought
he Mexican Situation TO stage o. I'M
certainty that is causing growing con-
Germ here.
While officials admit that the condi-
lions they confront are embarrassing
and some high army officers are urging
that Pershing's men be withdrawn as a
military step and regardless of condi-
tons, il is insisted that so far there has
been no change in the administration pol
ICY. The American members of the
Joint commission which drew the At
lzntic City protocol will meet here Tues
day 10 go over General Carranza's re-
quest for modification and TO consider
whether any basis is offered for further
conferences with the Mexican commits
sionsrs. Charles ~ Douglas, an attor-
ney for the CarranZa government, saw
counsellor Polk of the state department
today and is understood 10 have made a
further plea for withdrawal OF the
troops.
Several army officers of high rank are
no longer attempting to conceal their
Impatience over the joint commissions
failure 10 secure ratification Of an agree
'ment, and openly are urging that the al
tered conditions in Mexico make it i'm
perative TO bring the l2,OVJ men now IN
Mexico 10 positions on the border where
they could be handled 10 better adYan-
tage IL il becomes necessary.
Reports 10 the state and war depart
. ments today supported unofficial advices
indicating that villa is rapidly gaining
strength in northern Mexico that makes
mis- suppression by the Carranza army
appear doubtful At the same time fol-
lowers Of Felix Diaz are said to be
making trouble in the south while Man
vel Palaez and other rebel leaders are
gaining ground in the central portions
OF the republic
The official advices indicated that the
Carranza forces in Saltillo two days ago
were anticipating an attack by Villa
forces. The governor Of the state had
directed that the government archives
oe prepared for removal and many prom
nent civilians and officials had sent their
families TO the border. Successes OF the
3yiIla forces about Torreon were confirm
by the advfces-
NSlla's operations in the past week
gonvinced army men here that he
Der leaders OF the reactionary
mt are following a plan OF cam
Rving for its immediate object
liting OF an army and the col
equip1ent rather than the oc-
OF c~Qry-It Is pointed out
lila has entered towns Of impor-
nv in northern Mexico eight times
nee ne resumed operations on larger
cale, only TO surrender them again with
hat a struggle The next result has been
10 add TO his ighting strength materially
through the conversion OF Carranza sot-
skers, captured and deserving, into rebel
roops. and through captures of arms
md ammunition, including about thirty
|sfeces Of artillery.
Unofficial reports today that the ban
ait leader was on his way to Chihuahua
again caused no surprise here Slnce IL
Is known that the CarranZa force
there is not well supplied. with ammuni-
= lion and many stories Of disaffection
nave reached government agents on the
shorder. This situation. coupled with the
ontinued operations OF smaller bands
md a more important movement along