New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-01-21
American Plan Found Difficult

pared 10 develop that programme. But
they found that the Americans had
/ different plan in mind. and it was nee
cssary. first, to agree upon the points
/ that should be discussed at the confer
ence. Unfortunately. the programmes
of both groups of delegates were so TAR
apart that practically all the time
spent in New London was taken up by
efforts to agree about the scope OF the
discussion, without succeeding in find
ing a common ground to work on.
Then the conference was transferred
to Atlantic City. At that time the
American Presidential election was
near. and as the commission had no
full power to negotiate and sign pro-
tocol, but all its decisions and agree
ments were TO be ratified by the re-
spective governments, IL was believed
that the best thing to do was 70 wait
until the election was over, lest the
work of the commission should be use
less in case Of the defeat of President
Wilson for reelection. Thus the COM
mission at Atlantic City merely marked
time until the election was over.
The conference was then transferred
TO Philadelphia and the commission
ers set to work. They discovered soon
that their views werc entirely differ
ent in regard to the last three points.
and, failing 20 find a common ground
as to them, they decided to draw
tentative agreement covering only the
withdrawal Of the American eXpedi-
ton. This agreement was signed sub
ject 10 ratification.
The text of the agreement has been
published and it shows that the with
drawal was made conditional. The
Mexican commissioners signed it only
after repeatedly expressing their opin-
ion that it could barely be accepted
by Carranza. They wanted to show
their willingness TO cooperate in find
ing solution for the international
troubles affecting Mexico and the
United States.
There was no secret agreement at
tached to the protocol, Notwithstanding
all the published reports TO the con-
trary. There was only an oral agree
ment that if the protocol were ratified
the commissioners would discuss other
measures intended to strengthen the
friendship and promote the good re-
lations between both countries.
To make matters worse supple
mentary statement was published in
the newspapers, attributed TO Secretary
Lane, head of the American commits
sion, which practically nulliied, accord
ing TO the Mexican view, all previous
assurances given about the intention
of the United States government 70
respect Mexico's sovereignty. Under
the circumstances the protocol was not
accepted by Csrranza, and the whole
matter was placed again in the hands
Of both governments that they might
try TO adjust the differences by direct
diplomatic means.
Analyses American Conferrees
The work of the commission, how
ever, was not entirely lost. 1t sue
ceeded in two main things. The first
was to bring about a frank and sin
cere discussion of the situation and TO
allow the matter TO cool sufficiently
to allow both governments TO be in
position TO determine calmly and with
out prejudice the most reasonable way
to solve the whole matter. II also had
the effect of convincing the American
government that the present eXpedi-
/ ton, having fulfilled its object and
having stayed in Mexico for many
weeks without purpose should be re-
called, as the large force under Gen.
/ eral Pershing could be of much more
use along the border line than in Mexi-
can territory
Our impression of the American
commissioners was favorable. We
| found them 10 be fair and clear minded
/ and well informed about the situation.
/ Their attitude was frank and sincere.
| From the beginning they were as will
! ing and earnest as We were 10 find
permanent solution.
The American commissioners were
all three kind and attentive. and. Of
/ course, each one had his own person
ality. OF Judge Gray we had the inn
preston that he had mainly a legal
mind that is to say, that he Judged
all the matters considered mainly from
the legal point of view, and his opin-
ions were marked by, his great ability
as a jurst OF DR.. Mott we had the
, impression that he had the most lib
oral and cosmopolitan mind and saw
the facts in a cosmopolitan and inter
national way.
Secretary Lare. whose opinions. he
being the head of the American com
mission. prevailed. has political mind
and he applied a political criterion 70
every question His views were accu-
rately adjusted TO the needs of the in
ternal political situation in the United
States.
We observed that the American com
missioners were highly sensible TO pub
lie opinion and feeling as expressed
by the American press. The influence
of the newspaper attitude was mani
tested from day to day, and this was
more noticeable at times of high po-
litical tension that is, on the eve OF
one of the most closely contested Pres
idential elections. 1t can be said that
the way the tide of public sentiment
turned from day 70 day was reflected
in the state of mind of the American
commissioners.
Although not a single word was said
about IL in the whole duration of the
conferences. we had the unmistakable
impression that in the mind of the
American government the belief has
crystallized that some sort of Plat
amendment would be the best solution
of the Mexican trouble
But would this solution ever appeal
to Mexico?