Evening star., 1911-05-28
Mexican President Takes Up
Pressing Problems.
TO DISSOLVE REBEL ARMY
Portion Will Be Used to Augment
Ranks of the Rurales.
CONSIDER MATTER OF CLAIES
Diplomats Call on Executive-New
Secretary Of Treasury Takes
Oath of Office.

MEXICO CITY, May 27,-Measures for
the ultimate disposition of the fnsurrecto
army and for payment of the costs of the
war were the first matters to which Pro-
vincial President de la Barra devoted his
official attention.
Notwithstanding a formal call by the
diplomatic corps to present fluctuations.
the administration of the oath of office
to the new secretary Of the treasury,
Ernesto Madero. and Interruptions by
scores of officials and friends who came
to congratulate him. President de Ia
Barra found time today to formulate
plans for adjustment of the most i'm
mediately pressing problems confronting
the nation. He proposes to dissolve at
once the revolutionary forces. using a
portion of them to augment the ranks OF
the rurales. that picturesque body OF
troops organized by Gen. Diaz many years
ago out of the country's bandits. The
remainder will be given every assistance
to get employment or to return to their
homes in the various states, and all VIII
be paid off as though having been mus
tered out of the regular army This is
In line with the suggestion by Francisco
1. Madero in his address to his troops at
Juarez.
BY utilizing the best of the insur ectos
in the corps of rurales. the government
believes 1t will be availing itself of
force we'll able to rid the country of
bandits within a short time.
To Pass on Claims.
President de la Barra is now consider
ing a measure which he will propose to
the chamber of deputies providing for
immediate protection of all claims made
and proved against the government 1t
is proposed that a committee of five be
named to pass upon all claims soon as
they are presented by those properly
qualified. A clause in the measure which
will he presented to the chamber will
authorize the immediate payment of such
claims as are approved by this COM
mittee.
Diplomats estimate that the war in
Mexico has cost not less than $20,OOOO0O
sold, and that perhaps one-tenth of this
Is due to damages sustained by foreigners.
Half OF this amount Is said on high au-
thorfty to be loss suffered by Americans.
In the various legations foreigners al
ready have begun arranging claims to be
made against the Mexican government.
although the greater part remains to be
filed The claims OF the Chinese nation.
while, perhaps, not representing a large
amount in the aggregate. will be remark
able for the number OF individuals de-
m4nding indemnity. Almost all of these
will come from the states of Sonora and
Coahuila, where the Chinese were VIC
Tins Of mobs In numerous instances.
Dead at Torreon Were 23S.
Reports received today from Torreon by
the Chinese legation state that the num-
Der Of dead as the result Of the mas
sacrc in that town May 16 was 23S.
The claims Of Japan will be based on
the deaths Of seven Japanese in Torreon
during the massacre.
Minister of Finance Madero has been
intrusted with cash resources of the na-
ton. summarized as follows In Mexican
currency. On hand in various govern
ment Offices. SO. .63S.121: on hand in
treasury. 26sS. .095: on hand in banks
and banking houses, 81, 6.S96; total.
So. 4S3. 119. The sum In the general treas
ury Is $12. .63S. .O95-
Just prior to the administering of the
oath to Mr.. Madero the diplomatic corps
officially paid its respects to the new
president. Henry Lane Wilson, the
American ambassador. as dean Of the
corps. delivered the address, which was
responded TO by President de la Barra.