The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-05-27
VERA CRUZ BATTLES
NOW CENTRE ON FOOD
Natives Fight Among Them
selves for Free RatiOns
Given by Americans.
BREAD LINE ABANDONED
Mcxicans Prefer Remnants Of
Soldiers Meals to Work
ing for Their Living.
BREAD LINE ABANDONED
ny DUDLEY HARMON.

VERA Cruz. May 19-Christians are
commanded to love their enemies, but
where in tho Bible are they told to feed
thcm2
Living m the Americans has become
habit with hundreds OF Mexicans In
Vera Cruz. although the necessity for
1 is extremely doubtful. In the early
days OF the ocoupi ton a great many peo-
pie were IN danger OF starvation II the
Americans did not feed them. Business
and industry were 30 disorganized that
for the poor, accustomed to living on
tho narrowest possible margin. the sit
uation was precsrious, The navy did
generous and humanitarian thing when
1t instituted the bread line.
The case is different now, however
There is plenty OF work IN Vera Cruz
for all WAC will work. There is also
enough food. although Il IL true that
prices have risen, and the variety Of
diet offered Is not what II might be
under other condition But the number
of those eating out OF the hands OF the
Americanos has in no way decreased, nor
Is there any likelihood that 1t will until
the military authorities withhold all army
food from those now Ming their stomachs
| without labor and without charge.
Gratitude of Poor.
At first 1t was a sort OF satisfaction
TO the Americans to zee the miserable
creatures, who make up the lowest stra-
tum OF the Vera Cruz population wait
ing in line baskets In hand. silent and
patient. for the American bread and
canned bill" or corned beef. Every
heart gowed with satisfaction at seeing
the people. apparently filled with graft
tude. bearing away TO their rabbit war
rem dwellings the means OF supporting
life. All felt a thrill because OF their
vicarious participation in Uncle Sans
cha~'ty toward tho recent enemy.
But now II Is different. The feeding OF
the Mexicans Is a nuisance and the sight
OF their scramble for food disgusting.
Every one knows that were they so minded
they could now provide for themselves.
The bread line is discontinued. The SOL
dlers at the various army camps are re-
( lieved OF the necessity OF passing out food
| personally and individually to these beg
| CARS Instead the remnants OF each meal
at each mess tent are put In big wash
/ boilers and set some distance from the
| camp. so that the soldiers may be removed
/ from the disturbance that accompanies the
scramble for food.
! Formerly the Mexican who lived OFT the
| American forces was satisfied TO get any
! food now his effort is TO get the best
| and the most. Women and children
| usually predominant In the surging crowds
| that pouncc. like beasts OF. prey. upon the
| food set out for them. There are only two
kinds OF Mexican females, at least among
thu poor--xrls and old women There
! are no youDs or middleaged women the
! girls seem to become wrinlSled and
! shrunken over night. 49, -..--
! With mutterings and snarlings these
ragged creatures fight their way TO the
| food and thrust In their clawlike hands
! htst .lyxu fr,t,
behind Bread. meat and vegetables md
their way into the baskets and earthen
! dishes brought for the plumber and the
| contest lasts until every scrap Is gone.
Restaurants Not Popular.
The army food Is the best In Vera Cruz
! and much better than any the MeNcans
! ever had before. The Americans Deepen.
dent upon the public eating places of Vera
| Cruz find they have reason. almost, t.
| envy Mexican patriots" who find IL cas-,
to smother their pride and live in ease of
| the army leavings Hard Is the way OF
| him who has to contend three times daily
! with the restaurants OF Vera Cruz. Ar
| Invitation to share an army ration served
| on n bare board and eaten from aluminium
dishes Is more priced than all the elab'
crate meals set forth under the lights OF
the plaza.
The food Itself is really not bad IT /.
get II that irritates the hungry and 4,
| apt TO take the edge off the sharpest APP
| petite IL Is true that some strange con
| coct!ons are offered up--there are usually
! many dishes with which the average
American desires no intimate acgualnt
ance. but out OF the assortment one ma,
usually make out a meal. II sufficient TIM
Is spent on the Job,
When one attempts TO pay his hi h
bumps hard into the monetary situat hon
Should nc try to pay In American mono,
highly priced by the Mexlcln nusinps
mamie will ind his morley Groedlry nc
cepted. but apparently OF LITTLE value
The general rate Is three pesos for
dollar. but IN these establishments the
have--some say by mutual agreement =
fixed the rate at two and hals 10 one.
HOardin9 Their silver.
II Mexican money In offered. Tor In
stance five peso note for a chez
amounting to one peso and forty cen
tavos then trap for the honest an