The Sentinel=record., 1914-08-02
GRAPHIC STORY OF
LIFE ABOUT MEXICO
fNSlGHTS TO THE CHARACTER
OF THE ADJOINING COUNTRY
AFTER WAR PERIOD.
Junius 3. Wood Writes Interestingly
of the Situation AS He Found II In
the Capitol of the Old Country.

Junius p. Wood, one of the famous
writer's of the Mexican situation, has
contributed the following graphic story
of the situation about the capitol OF
that country:
Mexico City again is tewlye hours
from Vera Cruz. There is one train
each way daily and it is crowded to
the aisles like a Sunday excursion
train. There is no more trouble il
travelling thal in the United States.
Worn and shabby Mexican soldiers
patrol the whole line and guard the
bridges and stations and a squad OF
men, heavily armed, rides in an es-
cort car which is attached to all
trains between Mexico City and Es-
peranza, 156 miles out, for protection
against marauding bands.
Two passengers were killed on
train which was under fire the day
before l made my trip, and many in
our party were nervous. Paul May,
the Belgian minister to Mexico, who
had just returned from New York,
was apprehensive of danger and talk
ed to the soldiers at every station.
The Mexicans were smiling fataistic.
Sir Christopher Cradock, the Bri-
fish rear admiral, who was returning
from seeing Gen. Huerta off, was met
at Soledad and his conduct was in
strong contrast to that of the fright
ened civilians. Cool and debonair, he
talked of the excellent golf at the
country club. Bandits did attack
Soledad the next day.
We passed the troop train of the
2gth regiment returning from Coat
zaeoalcos, and hungry, dirty and tired
women and children were seen going
toward the city. The feeling was
strong that behind the beautiful
scenery and back OF the assumed
gayety of the soldiers lay dark plots
and sudden death.
Mexico is convalescing from two
years of war and idleness. Some 4
that peace and quiet are assured and
that the country is on the verge of
prosperity; others believe that the
war spirit is too deeply ingrained in
the people and that in sixty days the
nation will be in the tAroes of an
other revolution. Still others think
that only armed Intervention by the
United States will secure a lasting
peace.
The united Mexican sentiment
seems to be that the American forces
must leave Vera Cruz before the
Mexicans can agree upon terms OF
peace. The newspapers in the capital
express the demand of the people that
Mexico be placed in immediate pos
session of the custom houses and
postoffices now in charge of the Am;
orleans. Consul Silliman, who is with
Gen. Carranza has notified Washing
ton of this demand.
The railroads throughout the coun-
try are repairing the tracks Whlch
the armies destroyed and are rushing
ago. Officials say that the Inter
oceanic railroad will be opened in a
month and another line between Mex
leo City and Vera Cruz is working
day and night to replace the big San
Francisco bridge, which was dyna-
mited as the rebels advanced from
the north. The roads toward the
capital are being repaired, and rail-
road men say that overland traffic
between Mexico City and the United
States will be restored in few
weeks.
Fresh food supplies already are on
the way from Vera Cruz and fuel is
being sent to Mexico City. The lack
of oil and coal has closed the facto-
ries everywhere and the pumping sta
ton in Mexico City is running only
two hours a day. AS a matter OF
fact, the fuel shortage was a big
factor in forcing Huerta's hand. The
stocks in the stores are at their low
est limit.
For rent signs appear on from
one to a dozen buildings in every
business block. Half tie theaters are
closed, for there is no work and no
money. The great unfinished National
theater stands as a monument to the
war, with marble walls and statues
half up, a gigantic bronze Mexican
eagle topping the bare columns of
steel. The weather beaten derricks
about the structure have been idle
for two years.
The condition of the new legisla-
tive palace is the same. Armies and
not architecture have drained the
country of its wealth.
Yet the average Mexican does not
worry. At night the streets of the
capital are CAV with lights and music