Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1913-07-30
MEXICO FEELS
RESULT OF
WAR
THERE ARE PRACTICALLY NO CROPS
IN the REPUBLIC And NO
MONEY DUE TO LACK OF WORK,
WHICH MEANS pRORID|7IvE PRICES
FOR FOOD.
HUERTA USES AUTOS
IN ARMY SERVICE

/ Mexico City July 30.-Mexico is get
ting hungry, and early in July it was
evident that this condition would be-
come much worse before relief could
be had. Failure to plant crops in
thousands of fields formerly cultivated,
the increasing number of idle men due
to the closing down of numerous in
dustrial concerns, and the indirect
siege instituted against scores of cities
have resulted in reducing to deplor'
able condition regions where a great
majority of the population asked only
to be permitted to work.
Lack of money resulting from lack
of work has had its effect in increas-
ing the prices, but the most direct
cause has been the cutting of the rail-
roads in all parts of the country.
The fall of Durango revealed that
the people of that town had been pay
ing fabulous sums for certain ordinary
commodities and that meat was an I'M
obtanable luxury Torreon for time
was in a situation almost as bad Re-
ports from Chihuahua were that one
egg was bringing peso and that eight
pesos were paid for kilo or two
and two-fifths pounds, of sugar. Con-
ditions in SaltiIlo and Monterey be-
came serious Notwithstanding that the
government was able most of the time
to keep open the line from Tampico.
In all towns the neighboring country
is depended upon to supply large
part of the food supply but even where
railroads were kept open marauding
bands of rebels made it their business
to prevent the entry of supplies from
the neighboring truck farms brought
in on the backs of Indians or in carts.
The effect of these tactics has been
keenly felt in the capital itself. where
prices have more than doubled in the
past year.
Failure to plant crops has not yet
had its full direct effect. The season
for the maturing of most crops has not
come, but when it does, it is inevitable
that the country will find itself forced
to buy abroad, and the money is
scarce. In previous revolutions the
planting has not been so seriously him
dered but since this is the most wide
spread revolt the country has seen
there are hundreds of thousands Of
implanted trees.
Those who were attempting to keep
in touch with revolutionary activities
by marking map realized early in
July that the most simple means was
gions held by the rebels, but to block
IN the portions where the govern
nent's control was unquestioned. 1t
was much more simple and required
much less time.
Rebels on whom Pascual Orozco last
year conferred the title of a commits.
stoned officer, and whose title was
lsed with quotation marks in the
newspapers of the capital. have come
nto their own. They were taken into
he army with the same rank, but in
, division styled irregular militia"
The army had become topheavy with
and President Huerta
las issued decree converting all af-
iliated bodies into the regular estab.
ishment. 1t was announced that
hereafter General Orozco and General
salazar and General Campo and all
,ther holders of titles should be gen
'rals or such as their rank might en-
tile in the regular army.
In connection with his program for
,Ebuilding the army, Huerta has or
Tered number of changes that have
lot altogether favorable. One of these
vas the order to purchase lances with
which portion of the cavalry will be
quipped instead of with sabres. The
act that the British used them with
ONE success in South Africa is said
D have caused Huerta to insist upon
heir use in his army.
The use of more automobiles also
as been insisted on by the president
nd the column which went north
long the line Of the National railway
arried about so cars. When the or.
er reached the war department to
Sc more automobiles there was no
lme to deal with factories, and agents
f the department went on the streets
uying where they could from private
1t was Huerta's idea to
!se the cars not so much for the rapid
of officers but for the
peedy movement Of reserves from
he rear
General Banquet, the successor OF
ieneral Mondragon as minister of
var rose from the ranks, and wears
II his watch chain gold coin COM
nemorative of duty he performed
hen non-commissioned officer He
ras in the army that besieged Emper-
i Maximilian at Queretaro. When the
rider came for the execution of Maxi
rilian Banquet was detailed on the
ring squad. After the emperor fell
fe was not extinct and Sergeant
Banquet was ordered to advance and
,eliver the final shot. Just prior to
Continued on page five).