Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-07-09
Mr.. Lansing Does Not Take
Seriously Report of Con-
suIs' Pleas for Action.
HE SAYS THEY Do NOT
RECOMMEND POLICIES
United States Agents Asked as to
Conditions Regarding Food
and Economics,

Secretary Lansing Of the State De-
partment and other officials Of the gov
ernment here today discounted the pub
ltshed report that United States con-
suls in Mexico had urged the admin
istration to take quick and drastic ac-
tion to bring about peace in Mexico.
Secretary Lansing said that American
consuls had been requested to report
upon conditions in Mexico, particular
ly with reference to food supplies and
economic conditions generally. and that
some of them had reported the condi-
tions very bad.
This fact. he said. may be the basis
for the report that American consuls
have urged drastic action in reports
to the department, even to interven-
ton. He said he thought he probably
would have seen any such reports had
they been made, and intimated that
consuls were not in the habit of sug-
gesting policies" which they thought
should be pursued by the government.
Threatened Famine.
The consuls refer to the threatened
famine in Mexico, inability of the heads
of the warning factions to bring peace.
and predict that If prompt action Is
not taken by the United States condi-
tions far worse than ever will prevail.
AS a solution of Mexico's internal -rou-
bles 1t Is urged that recognition be
accorded some element that may estab-
lish strong government.
With these reports, together with
reports of continued food shortage In
the southern republic. before Presi-
dent Wilson. it was wondered here II
decisive course to bring peace. as hint
ed at in his recent statement calling
upon the leaders of the various fac
tions to settle their differences.
At the State Department there was q
dearth Of news regarding the military
operations around Mexico City. The
departments latest advices were to the
effect that the Carranza forces were
operating military trains to within ten
miles of the city.
Beef at $3.50 a Pound.
A dispatch received by the depart
ment today from Mexico City reported
that beef was selling at $3.50 ponnd
in Mexico City. and that all other food
stufrs were at prohibitive prices. The
Red Cross reports say that shoes are
selling at $75 a pair at Victoria Ia
maulipas. Consul General Hanna at
Monterey has been instructed to help
the situation in the last named place. II
he can.
Gen. Villa has been defeated ten
miles south Of Aguascalientes and is
retreating northward, according to
consular advices, dated last night.
from Aguascalientes. The message was
brief and indicated that telegraphic
communication probably would be In
terrupted north OF Aguascalientes
within a few days. No details were
given.
The Carranza Advicss.
The Carranza agency's advices re-
latine to the same battle said:
VILLAS crippled army is retiring
from Aguascalientes, with view to
making q new stand against the
triumphant advance of the constitu-
tionalists at Zacatecas. Villa has only
about six or seven thousand men, "a.
told, remaining to him. 1t fs also said
that in the fight at Penuelas he lost
what little artillery remained to him
after the successive defeats at and near
Leon"
The villa agency here received dis
patches claiming a victory over the
Carranza forces in the vicinity Of
Monterey.