The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-05-02
Only Supplies Are CominS
From the Adjacent Ranches.
ON PENALTY Of EXECUTION
The Mexican Governor FOrblds
the Sale Of Produce.
Four to One IL Paid for Amer.
lean Money.


can governor Of the state to cut or the
food supply OF Vera Cruz divided at
tention today. The reported massing
of the constitutionalist forces against
Tampico is regarded az important bo-
cause 1t is felt to be certain the fan
of the city will have some bear1ng on
the immediate policy Of the United
States. Many persons who are wen IN
formed regarding the federal prepared
ness in Tampico are slkep<ical Of The
prediction Of an early rebel success.
They point out that three federal gum
boats have thus far easily repealed III
attacks. The situation OF the town -
such that force cannot Approach
without exposing itself to tho firo 0f
the four inch quick firing guns. excepG
from one direction. That point II de-
Tended by q triple line Of trenches ana
many machine guns and fleld artillery.
Gunboats and soldiers are plentifu1ly
supplied with ammunition
Tho rebels heretofore have beeu
without artillery. Unless guns have
reached them from the northern reboln
II IL believed impossible for them to
drive out the federals. The fall Of
Tampico into rebel hands might help
solve the food situation in Vera Cruz
In that event II IL presumed the trade
between Vera Cruz and Tampico would
be resumed and that the territory
ABOUT IAmplCO would supply the mar
ket here to some extent.
Fruit and Butter Scarce.
Just now the only supplies reaching
Vera Cruz are coming from tho small
ranches, near enough to the city for
owners to feel assured Of American
protection. Scores Of natives carrying
eggs and milk arrive daily but thiD
supply Is absorbed almost without -
feet on the demand. Tho hotels are
unable to obtain fruit and butter. II
the order of the Mexican governor Of
the state Of Vera Cruz. threatening
execution of any one bringing food to
the city. 10 effective. even this small
supply will be cut on and the popuIa-
ton both native and foreign viii 10
forced to depend upon goods shipped
from the United States and elgeWkeso.
Many ranchers from the northopu
and southern truck gardens foW
miles out called 1t Governor Ksrr'e
Office today and wished to know x
they would be protected II they
brought in supplies The order mot
to extend the American lines how
ever prevents giving the protectlon
desired and the only ranches, which
the authorities can count upon, are
those within the narrow boundaries of
the outposts or within range OF the
pickets' rifles.
/ Money situation.
/, The money situation is Also. pc
tually at a standstill for all except
small exchange business because Of
the lack of stamps required by the
Mexican laws now in force. Nearly
100000 pesos of captured stamps
were placed in circulation today to
relieve the situation. 1t IL becoming
almost impossible to find Mexican
change and every five dollar bill pre-
sented. to pay for a small purchaoo,
causes disturbance for there IL vir-
tually no Mexican silver and the sup-
ply Of small bills Ii exhausted.
Some merchants are doing bushes
on double standard. Goods bought
in the United States or abroad are
sold only on gold basis while goodo
bought in Mexico City are sold for
Mexican money.
But little American change IL await
able and small business IL hampero0.
The city IL becoming flooded With
Mexican bills OF large denomina&1om
through the efforts Of refugees to OBJ
tain American money for Mexican
some instances they have paid -
high as 4 to l, while some bushes
houses are demanding to 1.
Robbed and Left for Dead.
H. w. McClelland. q pine apple grow
er. was twice strung up by the nock
by ten Of his workmen. robbed ana
left for dead ON plantation at -
rived here with other refugees penn1-
less and was taken in charge BY the
Red Cross. McClel1and had received
Consul Canada's warning to leave but
delayed his departure.
He was seized in the yard Of the
bound and beatened and or
dered to produce his money. He de-
clared he had none, whereupon he was
hanged to q limb of a tree. After .
few minutes he was let down and again
ordered to give money. Still protesting
that he had none he was again hOisted.
When he recovered consciousness he
was lying on the floor Of his house
securing 5000 in gold and q small
amount Of Mexican money. His cloth
ing. shoes and everything portable In
the house had also been stolen.
McClelland and his partner. w. r.
Gregory, the latter having been absent
at the time Of the robbers visit. made
their way to Santa Lucrecia and join
ed the refugees from the capital.
New Foreign Minister.
washington, May 2.-Licentiate Es-
teba Ruix has been appointed minister
Of foreign affairs in the Huerta cab
met. to succeed Portillo Ro5as. 70
tired. The Spanish ambassAdoF here
was officially informed Of the appoint
ment by cable this morning. He
communicated the new appointment to
the medfatory.
Ruiz, the new foreign minister was
under secretary Of P0rtillo.
He has assisted in the mediation ard
it Is authorftatively stared that TIE
change will not AFFECT the continue1-
progress OF the mediation plans. Huln
had been referred to Al probaf1y
Huerta's commissioner, IN case IL
mediators proposed = commfssten reD-
resenting all PARTIES - the conttor
V2TWXs