Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1914-05-02
FOOD SUPPLY IS
PROBLEM NOW
At VERA CaUz
Many Are SkepticaI of Rebels
Chances for Success at
Tampico.

VERA CRUZ, May 2.-The situa-
ton at Tampico and the effort Of III 1
Mexican governor Of the State to cut
off the food supply of Vera CRUZ
divided attention today.
The reported massing Of the Consti-
tutiona'ist forces against Tampico is
regarded as important, because it ~
felt to be certain that the fall Of the
city win have some bearing on the
immediate policy Of the United
States.
skeptical OF Rebel Success.
Many persons who rae well in
formed of the Federal preparedness
in Tampieo. are skeptical of the pre-
dictions of an early Rebel success.
They point out that three Federal
gunboats have thus far easily re-
PEELED all attacks.
The situation of the town is such
that a force cannot approach without
exposing itself to the fire of four-inch
quick firing guns except from one
direction. That point is defended by
a triple line of trenches and many
machine guns and field artillery. Gum
boats and soldiers are plentifuIly
supplied with ammunition.
The rebels heretofore have been
without artillery. Unless guns have
reached them from the northern
rebels il is believed impossible Tor
them 10 drive out the Federals.
Food Shortage.
The fan OF Tampico into rebel
hands might help solve the food
situation IN Vera Cruz. In that event
il is presumed the trade between
Vera Cruz and Tamp'eo would be re-
sumed and that the territory about
Tampico would supply the market
here to some extent.
just now the onIy supplies reaching
Vera Cruz are coming from the small
ranches near enough 10 the city for
owners to feel assured of American
protection. Scores of natives, carry
/ ing eggs and milk, arrive daly, but
this supply IS absorbed almost With
ont affect on the demand The hotels
are unable To obtain fruit and butter.
If the order of the Mexican gov
ernOr of the states of Vera Cruz.
| threatening execution Of anyone
bringing food TO the city is effective.
even this small supply will be cut OFT
and the population, both native and
foreign, viii be forced to depend upon
goods shipped from the United States
and elsewhere.
Many raehers from northern snd
southern truck gardens a few miles
out called at Governor kerr's office
today and wished to know If they
would be protected if they brought in
! supplies.
Money situation Peculiar.
The order not to extend the Amer
lean lines. however. prevents giving
the protection desired and the only
ranches which the authorities can
count upon are those within the mar
row boundaries of the outposts or
within range of the pickets' rifles.
The money situation is also pecu-
liar. The banks have feen virtually
al a standstill for all except small
exchange business because of the lack
of stamps required by the Mexican
laws now in force Nearly 400 000
pesos Of captured stamps were placed
IN circulation today to relieve the
situation
IL is getting almost impossible to
find Mexican change and every five
dollar bill presented TO pay for a
small purchase causes a disturbances.
for there is virtually no Mex can silver
and the supply of small bills Is ex~
hausted
Some merchants are doing business
on d double standard. Goods bonen6
in the United States or abroad are
sold only on a gold basis, while COOS
bought in Mexico City are sold fo<
Mexican money