The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-01-03
Government Considers an
Abandonment Of Sessions
on Border Control.
CARRANZA REFUSES
TO SIGN PROTOCOL
Text of Agreement Made
Public-Troops May BE
Withdrawn Shortly.

Washington, Jan. c.-When the
American members Of the Mexican
American joint commission had fin
ished consideration today OF General
Carranza's reply failing to comply
with their demand that the protocol
providing for withdrawal of the Amer
ican troops from Mexico be ratified.
there were indications that efforts to
enter into on 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 the protocol. The commissioners
said they expected to draft their re-
sponse to Carranza tomorrow.
Fletcher 0oss to Msxiee?
The failure Of the commission to
give to American Mexican relations a
brighter aspect was offset somewhat
by official intimations that Henry p
Fletcher, confirmed as ambassador to
Mexico almost a year ago, was about
to start for his post. where American
interests are now represented by a
clerk. The report that General Per-
shings expedition soon would be with
drawn regardless of Carranza's atti-
tude ALSO gained fresh impetus and it
was understood that the administra-
tion had this move under considera-
tion.
Mr. Fletcher conferred with Presi-
dent Wilson after today's cabinet
meeting and later referred inquiries as
to whether he would go to Mexico to
President Wilson and Secretary Lam
sing. No statement was Forthcoming
from the White House or the state de-
partment.
Secretary Baker said no plans for
immediate withdrawal Of the troops
had been considered.
Eliseo Arredondo, Mexican ambass-
ador designate, announced during the
day that he had been summoned to
Mexico to confer with General Car
rama regarding the relations of the
two governments. This was construed
In some quarters as indicating a de-
termination by Carranza to withdraw
his diplomatic representative. Mr..
Arredondo stated, however, that he ex-
pected to return within a few weeks
to resume his duties.
Ramon P. Denegri. former consul
general Of the Carranza government in
San Francisco, will act as charge of
the Mexican embassy temporarily.
The text of the protocol signed at
Atlantic City was made public by the
American commissioners tonight for
the first time.
Text Of Protocol.
Following is the text of the PROTOCOL
protocol of agreement ad referen-
dunn. withdrawal of American troops
from Mexican territory and protection
OF the American Mexican international
boundary.
"Signed at Atlantic City, N. j., No
vember "a, 1916.
Memorandum of an agreement
signed this cath day of November, one
thousand nine hundred and sixteen, by
Franklin X. Lane. George Gray and
John r. Mott special commissioners of
the president of the United States of
America. and Luis Cabrera, Yr,cio
Bonillas and Alberto J. Pani, sps cial
commissioners of the citizen first
chief of the Constitutionalist army en-
trusted with the executive power of
the Mexican nation.
Troop Withdrawal.
ARTICLE 1.-The government Of the
United States agrees to begin the
withdrawal of American troops from
Mexican soil as soon as is practicable
such withdrawal. subject to the fur
ther terms Of this agreement, to be
completed not later than -: That
proval of this agreement by both gov
ernments.
Article 1.-THE American COM
manyier shall determine the manner in
which the WITHDRAW wal shall be effected
SO as to insure the safety of the ter
ritory affected by the withdrawal.
Article HI.-The territory evacu-
ated by the American troops shall be
occupied and adequately protected by
the cohstitutionalist forces, and such
evacuation shall take place when the
constitutionalist forces have taken po-
sition to the south Of the American
forces SO as to make effective such
occupation and protection. The Mexi-
can commissioners shall determine the
plan for the occupation and protection
of the territory evacuated by the
American forces. aa.....r
article IV.-The American and