Evening star., 1915-02-15

the treatment of foreigners in Mexico
the food famine in Mexico city, and the
plight of the diplomatic corps there
have given the administration much
concern.
Further Complications Feared.
An action of the Carranza govern
ment which may cause further compli-
cations for the diplomatic corps in
Mexico City was taken yesterday in
the announcement that Gen Carranza,
as first chief. is solely authorized to
receive and pass upon diplomatic COM
munications. This practically prohibits
the diplomats in Mexico City from
dealing with Gen. Obregon, in com
mand there, and may seriously affect
the diplomatic activity of American
consular agents. who always have been
instructed to deal with the de facto
authorities. whoever they may be:
generals, says the order now issued by.
the Carranza government. the text Of
which was given out here last night.
tend. even when made by persons
unity which should prevail in the con-
stitutionalist government and to be-
little the authority of the first chief 4"
The order apparently will make it
tives Of foreign governments to deal
with the Carranza government except
by going to Vera Cruz, which they
have been unwilling to do. lest such
ton. Already most of the diplomats at
Mexico City have asked their govern
ments for permission to leave when
the situation becomes intolerable, and
some of them have been advised to use
their own discretion.
Lack of News Due to Censors.
On account of the severe censorship
esta ablished at Vera Cruz by Gen. Car
rama, eight censors being on duty to
prevent dispatches unfavorable to the
Carranza cause from being sent abroad,
very little news of the difficulties of
the foreign consuls and diplomats has
been permitted to reach the United
States. Through official channels and
authoritatively learned that for some
time barely courteous relations have
been maintained between Carranza and
the consuls of Spain and Great Britain
at Vera Cruz.
These consuls often have found it
difficult to see Carranza, frequently be-
ing forced to wait for hours in his re-
ception room, only to be told to call
consuls incurred the displeasure of
Carranza because of their persistency
in calling to his attention what they
considered unjust aggression on for
eign property.
The American consul at Vera Cruz. w.
H. Canada, has time and again made
representations to Carranza on the
treatment of Spaniards. Recently he
was instructed to say that the Depart
ment of State had learned of the shoot
ing of seven Spaniards at Apizaco, and
of another at a nearby town, and to
point out that unless this method of
reprisals was stopped, the world at large
would be shocked; that a continuation
NJ ha nf Or n rdS
would be regarded with keen displeas-
ure by the United States. and would
place personal responsibility on Car
rama.
Text of Carranza's Decree.
Carranza's latest decree concerning
foreign diplomatic representations was
revealed last evening in a telegram
from Rafael Zubaran Capmany, min
lister of the interior to Eliseo Arre-
dondo, local representative of Carran-
Ia. 1t said:
THE first chief of the constitutional
list army has been apprised OF frequent
cases in which persons of diverse ma
tionalities. styling themselves conf
dental or consular agents of foreign
governments, without really being so,
and other persons styling themselves
representatives of foreign colonies or
large foreign interests established in
Mexico, pretend to make represents
tions, address communications and treat
directly about matters of an lnterna-
tional character with different leaders
Of the constitutionalist army.
.~rhis action, even in cases where it
is taken by persons actually accredited.
tends to disrupt the unity which should
nent and to belittle the authority of
rst chief Of the ana ssk Of army
beston in governmental decisions. with
danger for Fgansscs our sssse via The sn ds
other leaders of the northern division
inVeives .V a painful experience which we
must bear in mind to avoid in the flu.
Inexperienced Inc leaders. It is the un-
avoidable purpose of this government
70 comply with its international duties.
afrording just protection under the
laws to all foreign persons and in
terests. and this can only be done prop
eriy through the appropriate author
titles.
Action to Be Taken Is Set Forth.