Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-05-02
Might Help Food Situation.

The fall Of Tampico into rebel hands
might help solve the food situation in
Vera Cruz. In that event it is presumed
the trade between Vera Cruz and Tam
pico would be resumed and that the terri
tory about Tampico would supply the
market here to some extent.
Just now the only supplies reaching
Vera Cruz are coming from the small
ranches near enough to the city for own
ers to feel assured Of American protec'
ton. Scores Of natives carrying eggs
and mil karrive daily, but this supply is
absorbed almost without effect on the de-
mand. The hotels are unable to obtain
fruit and butter.
If the order of the Mexican governor
of the state of Vera Cruz threatening eS-
ecution of any one bringing food to the
city is effective even this small supply
will be cut off and the population. botf
native and foreign, will be forced to de
pend upon goods shipped from the United
States and elsewhere.
Many ranchers from northern ant
southern truck gardens a few miles ou
called at Gov. Kerr's office today ane
wished to know if they would be pro
tected if they brought in supplies.
The order not to extend the American
lines, however. prevents giving the pro
lection desired, and the only ranches
which the authorities can count upon are
those within the narrow boundaries oi
the outposts or within range of the lighl
field guns.
Money Situation Peculiar.
The money situation is also peculiar. The
banks. have been virtually at a standstil
for all except small exchange business
because of the lack of stamps required
by the Mexican laws now in force. Near.
ly 100000 pesos Of captured stamps were
placed in circulation today to relieve th'
situation.
1t is getting almost impossible to fine
Mexican change, and every five-doilar bill
presented to pay for a small purchase
causes disturbance. for there Is virtu
ally no Mexican silver and the supply o.
small bills is exhausted.
Some merchants are doing business or
double standard Goods bought in tht
United States or abroad are sold only OF
a gold basis, while goods bought in Mex
leo City are sold for Mexican money.
But little American change is available
and small business is hampered. 1ne city
is becoming flooded with Mexican bills ol
large denomination through the eHort'
of refugees to obtain money for Mexican
money brought from the interior.
i to /. while some business houses are
demanding . for l. the result being unre-
liable exchange quotations.
Strung Up and Robbed.
II. W. McClelland. a pineapple grower
was twice strung up by the neck by ter
OF his workmen. robbed and left for dead
on a plantation at Elburro. near Santa
Lucrecia. He arrived here with Other
refugees yesterday in a pennIless condi-
ton. and was taken in charge by tht
Red Cross. Mr. McClelland had received
Consul Canada's warning TO leave, pu'
delayed his departure.
He was seized in the yard of the plan
tatton. bound and beaten and ordered te
produce his money. He declared he nae
none, whereupon he was hung up to 9
limb of tree. After fe" minutes NJ
was let down and again ordered TO gave
money. Still protesting that he mad none
he was again hoistel. When ne recov-
cred consciousness he was lying on tne
hoor Of a house which had been rified
the robbers securing $1,000 in gold and a
small amount of Mexican money ttls
clothing. shoes and everything portable
in the house had also been stolen.
McClelland and his partner. ". Z.
Gregory, the latter having been absent 81
the time of the robbers visit, made their
way to Santa Lucrecia and Joined the
refugees from the capital.