The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-04-09

would be returned. We wer. not per-
sonally molested."
In spite OF the fac: that their prop.
erty has been confscated those who were
the wealthiest have assisted the poorer
ones in such ways as they could and
none OF the refugees are destitute This
was corroborated by JOAQUIN Fernandez
one Of the wealthiest Spaniards of Tor.
reon and father-in-law of l. NJ. Timer,
acting American Consular agent at Tor
reon. lie declared that almost all Of the
expelled Spaniards had money In the
United States some small sums, many
larger ones, and that at present he dil
no, believe any Of them would become
a public charge or seek assistance from
citizens OF the United States. He said
that the Spanish colony had been fearing
such expulsion and had placed as much
money as possible In banks of the United
States
Rafael Arocena. one OF the wealtlliest
residents OF the Laguna district and the
most extensive cotton grower In the world,
was one OF the Spanish refugees who rode
TO the border In second class coach
with only his personal possessions to
show for his lifetime OF struggle.
Senior Arccena IL to the Spanish coll
ony OF Coahuila what Gen. Luis Terrazas
Is to the chihuahua refugee colony of
Mexicans. He is the leader in CONNER
cial activities Of the LaYuna district.
owns a number of the largest estates
in the district and his wealth IL esti-
mated at $4,000. 900 Mexican currency.
The cotton plantat lions which Senior Aro-
cena owns produce approximately $780,
900 pounds OF sea island cotton. valued
Mt $50 n bale. His average production
OF 100000 worth OF cotton a year IL
considered the finest product in Mexico.
More than dozen of the refugees
were asked regarding participation by
Spaniards In Mexican affairs. particularly
as to direct assistance given to the Fed
erals at Torreon. II VS. admitted that Il
Few Spaniards had directly assisted the
Federals. but II was pointed out that other
foreigners In equal II not greater de-
gree had done the same thing and that
Spanrrds had also assisted the rebels
The Spaniards. Il was said. had been
singled out of all the foreigners to pay
for the acts Of n few Of their number.
BIG Cotton Crop Connscated.
Next to the land confscated. probably
the largest single lose to the Spanards
was the cotton crop. II was stated tina.
one-half Of the whole crop. including both
bales and standing cotton. had been con-
iiscated by the rebels.
When the Spanish left Torreon there
was more than 100000 worth Of cot
ton ready for market. Much of Il was
used as Notifications ana the remainder
left in the cotton warehouses. II Villa
follows his plan of proceeding in CHI
huahua and confiscates all the Spanish
holdings this cotton will lie taken AS q
part OF the spells OF war.
u viii he impossible for the rebels to
send the cotton South. as the Federals
control. There II but one outlet for the
cotton. unless 1t In man ufactured at tn.
factory in Torreon. That will be to ship
" TO the border here and Sell II IN the
United States. The Spaniards. however.
are Planning TO have legal action taken
against any one who imports the cotton
through the custom house here and the
title to the cotton will be settled In the
state courts.
While action Is also possible for bring
ing stolen property into the United States
Il Is said this will raise another ausst'ni
as TO whether or not conhscated property
can be considered stolen property and
whether Il can he exported to the V-ited
States without danger Of criminal prose
cution.
Accompanying the Spanish refugees &c
JuareZ We're ia Federals, taken prisoners
/ during the battle for the possession oi
Torreou These prisoners. II Is said. wer,
brough. 20 the border To b. given u cnanc,
! 20 enlist with the Constitutionai'st army.
REGARDLESS Of the protest OF the United
States against the expulsion OF the Spa.
lards. no assurances have bec1 given bj
the Ca--anza Government ;ha: such OK
/ pulsions viii not continue n 'ac'. Z Il
( generally regarded that they Will continue
| wherever the -cb.ls take "A town and span
I iarus are found. While this did not orig
mate with Carranza. the army likes thu
idea and Carranza Is not opposing th'
army. especially Villas army.