The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-01-03
Action Contemplated De- spite Failure of Work of
 Joint Commission
FIRST CHIEF WOULD
 NOT SIGN PROTOCOL
 SUBMITTED TO HIM
Following Sending of Ambassador Fletcher to His Post Some Other <, Solution of Very Vexing
 Problem May Be Found

Washington, January 2.-When the American members of the Mexico-Ameri- can joint commission had finished con- sideration today of General Carranza' S reply, failing to comply with their de- mand that the protocol providing for withdrawal of the American troops from Mexico be ratified, there were indca- tions that efforts to enter into an agree ment with the de facto government through the commission would be aban- doned For the first time an official ad- mission was made that Carranza had refused to sign the protocol. The com missioners said they expected to draft their response to Carranza tomorrow MAY WITHDRAW TROOPS The failure of the commission to g.ve tc Mexican-American relations a bright CT aspect was offset somewhat by of ficial intimations that Henry F. Fletcher, confirmed as ambassador to Mexico ali most a year ago, was about to start for his post, where American interests now are represented by clerk. The report that General Pershing's expedition soon ranza's attitude also gained fresh im- petus, and it was understood the ad- ministration had this move under very serious consideration
 FLETCHER HAS CONFERENCE MT. Fletcher conferred with President Wilson after today's cabinet meeting and later referred inquiries as to whether he would go to Mexico to President Will son and Secretary Lansing. No state ment was forthcoming from the White House or the state department.
 Secretary Baker said no plans for im- mediate withdrawal of the troops had been considered. It is known, however, that army officers are pressing strongly l for their recall, contending that in their present position they cannot do effective work toward protecting the border; that they are in bad strategic position and should be brought out and distributed along the border with plans perfected for sending a force across the line at some more desirable point if the occasion should arise in the future
 ARREDONDO TO LEAVE
 Elizeo Arredondo, Mexican ambassador designate, announced during the day that he had been summoned to Mexico to confer with General Carranza regarding the relations of the two nations. This was construed in some quarters as indi- eating determination by Carranza to withdraw his diplomatic representative MT. Arredondo stated, however, that he expected to return within a few weeks to resume his duties and the fact that the United States was contemplating sending its ambassador to Mexico City lent weight to the theory that If MT Arredondo was not continued in his posi- ton here another envoy would be sent by Carranza.
 The text of the protocol signed at At lantic 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 referendum, withdrawal of American troops from Mexican territory and protection of the American- Mexican international boun- diary.
 Signed at Atlantic City. N. J., Novem- Der "A, 1916.
 Memorandum of an agreement signed
 (Continued on page Tenl