The New York Times/1916/11/22/Mexicans Shocked at Final Proposal
MEXICANS SHOCKED AT FINAL PROPOSAL
Cabrera Especially Perturbed Over the American Terms of Settlement.
DEFINITE ACTION DELAYED
Right to Pursue Raiders Over Border and Conditional Troop Recall Outlined.
Special to The New York Times.
ATLANTIC CITY, N. J., Nov. 21.—The American members of the joint commission today laid before the Mexican section a memorandum embodying the final proposals of the United States for settlement of the international difficulties arising out of the frequent raids along the border. The memorandum contained also suggestions for decided reforms in the internal affairs of the southern republic which, in the minds of the Commissioners, are calculated to make the recurrence of difficulties less likely.
Everything indicated tonight that the proposals of the American section and the manner in which they were presented took the Mexicans completely by surprise, and they had not yet recovered their composure tonight. Mr. Pani and Mr. Bonillas seemed less perturbed than Mr. Cabrera, who for the first time since the commission convened lost his presence of mind, if not his temper. He left for Philadelphia tonight in something very much resembling a fit of offended pride.
Hope that the Mexican question might be settled within the next few days vanished when Dr. John R. Mott of the American section left for Cleveland, Ohio, to attend a Y. M. C. A. convention, with the intention of being away until Thursday night. It was stated officially that his absence would not stop the work of the commission, as his colleagues were fully conversant with his attitude and opinions, and would be able to deal with anything which might come up in the way of questions from the Mexican side. It was evident, however, that no definite action was expected until he returned.
Cabrera Angry at Press.
Mr. Cabrera sent Mr. Rojo, Secretary of the Mexican section, from the Mexican offices to tell reporters that he already had left for Philadelphia. His appearance in the hall a few minutes later did not surprise the newspaper men, who promptly asked for some statement on the developments of the day. He refused to talk, and left hurriendly, with a few caustic remarks about newspapers.
The American Commissioners at the morning session presented a partial memorandum covering the question of the withdrawal of the American expeditionary column from Mexico. The commission expressed its willingness to recommend the withdrawal at the end of ninety days provided the absence of revolutionary activity in the territory now occupied by the column and contiguous to the international line showed that this could be done with safety. It is known that the Mexicans have objected to this on the ground that they did not consider it a fair test of the ability of the Mexican Government to handle the situation in the north.
The question of a border patrol was dismissed with a reiteration of existing international usage, which leaves each nation to protect its own territory. It is understood that the United States maintained its right to send the present expeditionary column into Mexico and reserved the right to repeat the operation without limitation should occasion demand.
Several efforts have been made by the Mexicans to obtain from their associates a statement that the expeditionary column had no right to be in Mexico and that there would be no repetition of this method of procedure except in accord with such stipulations as might be agreed upon by the Commissioners.
Counterproposals Made.
The morning session adjourned to enable the Mexican Commissioners to recover from the shock and to talk over the new proposal among themselves. Mr. Cabrera was violent in his insistence that a demand be made for material changes in this plan before it was discussed, but his colleagues were finally successful in persuading him to go slowly until matters had been talked over a little. He went into the afternoon session, however, with recommendations which he presented. Some of these were nothing more than slight alterations in the phraseology of the proposed protocol while others were such as to alter the entire spirit and effect of the plan. These suggestions were discussed shortly and then dropped to be taken up later should the commission so desire.
The American members then presented the remainder of the memorandum to the still greater surprise of the Mexicans, who thought that they were through with the immediate work for a time. After a short discussion the session was adjourned to enable Dr. Mott to take an early train.
After the adjournment one member of the American section stated that the situation looked “less dismal.” He expressed hope for a settlement, but was not willing to make any predictions as to how long it would take to arrive at a conclusion even of the military phase of the tangle. No expression could be obtained from the Mexican members, although the attitude of Mr. Pani and Mr. Bonillas indicated that they also hoped difficulties might be arranged in a satisfactory manner.
One of the points which has surprised the American Commissioners is that no effort has been made by the Mexicans to get in touch with General Carranza on the proposed agreement. The work of translating the memorandum still was under way at a late hour tonight, but nothing had been sent to Queretaro. It is understood that a reasonable time will be allowed the Mexican Commissioners in which to communicate with the First Chief, but that this would not be allowed to delay the final decision unnecessarily.