The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-05-03
Food Supply Cut OF I. S. VIII
Have to Fill Mexican Stom-
achs Unless the Order Is
Rcscinded.
Interest In Result
Now Becomes Acute
Army and Navy Watch Tam
pico as Federal Force Has
Been Reinforced and Is
Strongly Situated -- Rebels
Gather to Attack.
BY T.. Del. ST.EyIS,

VERA CRUZ. May 2-The food sup
ply Is the engrossing question to the
new military regime today. The
threat of the Mexican governor Of
the state of Vera Cruz 10 Kill anyone
who brought food into the city has
alarmed tho farmers and rsnchers TO
such an extent that even the small
amount available la likely to be eat
OFF
soon the foreign and native popu-
1asion Will be forced 10 fepenH almost
wholly upon food brought from the
United States unless the governor can
be induced To withdraw his threat
The owners of truck gardens in the
outskirts OF the city who have been
selling vegetables. eggs. and butter.
here have been scared oT. MANY OF
them asked tho military authorities
to-day II they would he protected II
they continue 10 bring in food, If
not, they said they would have 10
stan. as the United States does not
egntroi most or tire territory tn which
;ht farms are located
Ntrerai Funston can assure 70 these
men anly such protection as their resi p
deuse gives them. II they are within
the range Of United States guns they
will rot be m8lested But If they are
IN places NOT nndtr control Of the army
and navy they will have to take
thaHres Most Of them are rot willing
" tEas ar~ risks -------e..----. --------
Tamrfce Is Answer.
1f the rebels capture Tafnrfr that
would relieve the situation. for then
eos,neree between that port ard this
would be resumed tn all probability
T'ia territory about Tanlpico is full Of
sNall farmers, and they could help the
lneal market IN large extent Many
natives carrying in eggs and milk
ihrong the streets N Vera Cruz every
morning. but so great is the demand
fer tier wares that what they bring
makes Hstle impression on the general
ue.st ] he hotels are shorr Of batter
aad' teKS. and the poorer classes are
slli,ssstlAe N half ratlans
Ttsat the rebels Win have . hasd time
tn taxing TampIeo is ths opinion ef
n4@n who haTe seen both the eousti@
tat"nalisg pians and eauipaEe for the
.e@f and the preparations Of the fed
erals 10 receive them,
tlurgtss men have plenty Of ammu-
ntton, and n number of machine guns
ara hold artillery The rebels can
nrrfuaeh ale town from but one point
wfc4eeV exposing themselves 10
,.esflv ere aua since they appear ia
lass au II The essentials for nm assault
esoeps eeh-ft7 nation and fearless lead
seshif, fAe.r chances or Immediate sue
cess xvepl per-
tia- Of Defense.
The Mexican eur boats in the river
can nsHr hn' FIRE on any troops
thar attack except from one direction.
Tsat line Is we'll defended hY the fed
erals. However, the consttt4;ionalisss
continue 20 mass outside Tampica for
the battle II has been reported far
some time that villa had sent lib-
eral supply ef guns and ammunition.
ana4 that presently he Will appear in
person and lead the rebel army on the
town.
Some Of the artillery. which is still
secreted in the mountains surround
ing the town, is said 10 he heavy
enough 70 have serious effect on the
three small federal gunboats. With
them driven away the eapture Of the
Continued on Second pagel