On the other hand, it is clear that the government of the United States would not accept the terms of the agreement made by the United States, which American troops will be withdrawn from Chihuahua, means the closing of negotiations through the Department of Justice for adjustment of the questions at issue between the United States and the de facto government of Mexico. What effect this new situation then might have on the policy of the United States? If not known, but it was said at the State Department today that any further move would be made through the usual channels, and not by the commission, which for more than three months attempted to effect an amicable settlement.
Dr. John R. Mott, one of the American commissioners, conferred with Secretary Lane during the day, and both expressed the hope that Carranza's reply would be favorable. The more general opinion among governments officials, however, was that the Mexican executive would not alter his repeated declaration that the American troops must be withdrawn unconditionally, and that any further discussion of international subjects could not take place while foreign troops violated the sovereignty of Mexico.
If Carranza persists in his refusal, there will be nothing.  For the members of the joint commission to do but to hold one last conference to close up the record and survive good-byes. Luis Cabrera, chairman of the Mexican group, spent Christmas here, the guest of Ambassador-Designate Arrello, but was not in communication with the American chairman, and returned last night to New York for the meeting with his colleagues today. 