Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-01-03
PREPAR|NGREPLY
TOCARRANzAN0TE
Officially Admitted That Pro-
tocoI Framed by Joint Com
mission Was Rejected.
RECALL OF FORCE HINTED

| American members Of the joint Ameri'
| can Mexican commission went to woyi
today on their response to the latest com.
munication of Gen. Carranza, who. it is
now admitted officially. refused to ap
prove the protocol signed by the COM
mission members at Atlantic City fol
withdrawal of American troops from
Mexico and cooperative border patrol.
President Wilson will confer at O'Clock
this afternoon with Secretary Lane and
the other American members Of the Mex
ican-American commission.
Commissioners to See President.
1t was announced that the American
commissioners only would make a
statement of their position to the
President, and in some quarters that
was taken to forecast an end of the
| commission negotiations. An answer Is
i'being prepared TO CarranZa's plea for
| was said that was not to be discussed
\ today with the President.
The end of the commission negotia-
tions was considered bv other officials
| to be preliminary to a new line of
| procedure in Mexican relations which
Is expected to begin with the sending
Of Henry p. Fletcher to his post as
American ambassador at Mexico City
and the withdrawal Of the American
military expedition.
There were further insistent reports
| lacking official confirmation, that the
administration Is seriously considering
ordering Gen. Pershing's troops back
to American soil very soon, to be dis
tributed along the border for military
reasons. regardless Of Carranza's atti-
tude.
Officers Argue for Recall
1t is known that army officers are
pressing strongly for their recall. con-
tending that in their present position
they cannot do effective work toward
protecting the border; that they are in
a bad strategic position and should be
brought out and distributed along the
border, with plans perfected for send
ing a force across the line at some
more desirable point II the occasion
should arise in the future.
Eliseo Arredondo, Mexican ambassa-
dor-designate. has been requested by
his government to go to Mexico City
and confer with Gen. Carranza and
his advisers over relations with the
United States. He said he expected to
return here in about three weeks and
to resume his duties as diplomatic rep
resentative Of the Carranza govern
ment.
Important Points in Protocol.
Following is the text of the material
parts Of the protocol:
Article 1.-The government Of the
United States agrees to begin the with
drawal of American troops from Mexi-
can soil az soon as practicable. such
Withdrawal, subject to the further
terms Of this agreement. to be COM
pleted not later than -: that 10 to
say for (4o) days after the approval
OF this agreement by both govern
Article 1.-THE American command
er shall determine the manner in which
the withdrawal shall be effected. 30 as
to insure the safety Of the territory
affected bv the withdrawal
Article III-The territory evacuated
by the American troops shall be occu-
pied and adequately protected by the
constitutionalist forces. and such
evacuation shall take place when the
sition to the south of the American
forces. SO as to make effective such oc-
cupation and protection The Mexican
! commissioners shall determine the plan
for the occupation and protection of
the territory evacuated by the Ameri-
| can forces.
Commanders May Cooperate.
Article IV-The American and Mexi-
can 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 of the forces inimical to the
constitutionalist government. which
threaten the safety of the international
ha
Chihuahua, the withdrawal of Ameri-
can forces shall not be delayed beyond
the period strictly necessary to over
come such activities.
article v-The withdrawal Of Ameri-
can troops shall be effected by march
ing to Columbus. or by using the Mexi-
can Northwestern railroad to Ell Paso
or by both routes. as may be deemed
most convenient or expedient by the
American commander.
Article VI-Each of the governments
1 parties to this agreement shall guard
| its side Of the international boundary
cooperation on the part OF the military
commanders of both countries, as may
| be practicable.
Article vII-This agreement shall
take effect Immediately upon approval
| by both governments. Notification of
approval shall be communicated by
each government to the other"
Statement by Commission.
1t is announced for the first time that
at the time the protocol was sent to
Mexico 1t was accompanied by a brief
statement. agreed upon by the Joint
] commission. ae follows:
TT shall be Understood that IL we
meet for the discussion Of other Ques-
| tions, the American commissioners will
not ask that any final agreement shall
| be reached as to any such questions
while the American troops are in
\ Mexico"
| Carranza's reply was not made pub
| lie. He Is understood to have taken
| the position that he could not sign
| the protocol because II would put him
| in the position of sanctioning the pres
ence of American troops on Mexican
soil
Spokesman for carranza
Tells Mexican" Assembly
Situation With U. S. Grave
ouERETARo. Mexico. January a..
Felix M. Palavacini. former secretary
of public instruction. who often has
spoken for Gen. Carranza. declared be- :
fore the constitutional assembly late Ia,,
night that the international situation was
grave.