Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-03-16
OFFICIALLY REPORT
PROGRESO IS OPEN
SiIIiman and Carranza's For
eign Secretary Wire In
formation Here.
WILSON ANNOUNCES
MEXICO is QUIETER
Hopes to Get Railroad Line Open to
Sea or to United States
Border Soon.

called his order closing the port of
| Progreso.''
| Carranza's minister of foreign affairs
| te1egraphed the Carranza agency here:
| IT beg to advise you that from March
IL thhe port of Progreso will be OPEN
The brief announcement from the
| State Department not only eliminates
1 all interference with American and
! foreign vessels through the attempted
| blockade of the port by Carranza S
gunboats, but removes all restrictions
| on the freedom of communication be-
| tween PrOgreso and the outside world.
| This has been viewed as of the ut
| most Importance. because 80 per cent
| of the sisal hemp used in making
| twine for binding the wheat crop of
the United States is shipped from
Progreso.
President Wilson and his cabinet had
given close attention to the situation,
because the entire wheat crop of the
United States might have been serious
ly affected by shortage in the supply
| of hemp.
Mexico Affairs Quiet Down.
Conditions in Mexico generally are
regarded by President Wilson rs much
| less in a ferment than they were a
few days ago. He told callers today
| that the American representations and
notes had been effective and that he
| felt that there now was more security
for foreigners.
Keeping open the railroad between
Mexico City and Vera Cruz the Presi-
dent regards as an awkward task be-
cause the Carranza forces held the
Vera Cruz end while their enemies are
in possession at Mexico City.
The Vera Cruz line is considered
more of a military question now and
the President indicated that II the rail-
roads north from Mexico City to the
an avenue of egress for foreigners,
the Washington government would be
satisfied.
The President said he had no doubt
that those guilty of killing John B.
McManus, an American citizen, recent
ly would be punished. With punish
ment Of the offenders and payment of
indemnity to the family the incident
probably Will be closed.
Factions Must Protect Foreigners.
President Wilson has determined that
all the rival factions in Mexico shall be
compelled. IL necessary, not only to re-
spect the lives and property of foreigners,
but to insure freedom of commercial corn
munication between the United States and
Its southern neighbor.
This policy, enunciated in the last two
notes sent to Cen Carranza concerning
the situation at Mexico City, was further
developed by the dispatch of a communi-
cation informing the Mexican chief that
unless the gunboat Zaragoea was recalled
from its attempted blockade of the port
Of Pregreso the President of the United
States would be constrained to issue in
structions to the commander of the ar
mored cruiser Des Moines ito prevent
any Interference" with American ships
going to or from the port.
The purpose of this note apparently
was achieved before it reached Vera Cruz,
for the Navy Department received word.
as reported in The Star yesterday, that
the Zargosa had put back to Vera Cruz
ION account of the stress of weather"
The opinion Of officials is that there will
be no further attempt to blockade
United States Note Emphatic.
The American note was couched in
terms as emphatic as the warming con-
cerning conditions at Mexico City, re-
lieved by the evacuation of Obregon
It set forth that if the American cruiser
found it necessary to take steps to pre-
vent interference with American ships
such policy should not be interpreted
as having any relation to internal af-
fairs in Mexico" but Sin the interests
Of peace and amity" between the two
countries.
Diplomatists who by instruction of
their governments have been discuss
ing Mexican affairs with the Washing
ton government interpret the latest de-
velopments as change from policy
Of passive observation to one of the
energetic insistence on the protection
Of foreign interests.
Colvflle Barclay, counselor Of the
British embassy, called at the State De-
partnent to inquire as to this govern
ment's advices In regard to the Pro
greso situation. He learned that the
British steamer Wyvisbrook as to
hich his inquiries were particularly
directed. had sailed from Progreso for
New Orleans several days ago with
1000 bales of sisa1-
The American schooner Paul from
Mobile is said to be the only merchant
vessel now at Progreso.
Carranza Abandons Tuxpam.
Reports to the State Department said
| the Carranza forces had practically
abandoned the Tuxpam district, just
south of Tampico. where they had lost
| control of all the oil fields. and had
sent their forces to Tampico.
| Gen carranza has issued a decree
| suspending import duties on lard,
| sugar, -four, meal. crackers. grain and
beans Of all kinds, the purpose being
|
| nounced in Vera Cruz dispatch.
! Many destitute persons are said to
have arrived at Vera Cruz from interior
| points. and it is feared that unless
| prompt measures are taken to better
the situation the economic troubles
there will be much aggravated
II is reported that the Wholesale
dealers are unwilling to order large
! quantities of food supplies on account
Of the political situation and the fuctu-
atfnR high rate of exchange.
Trouble at Manzanillo.
with the situation at Progreso ap-
parently clearing up. disposing of the
threatened cutting off Of the sisal heml
supply needed for harvesting the
American grain crop. the Washington
goverenment is confronted with a trou-
blous condition Of affairs at Mama
Milo, port on the west coast OF Mex.
leo.
The British consul there has appeal.
ed through the British embassy here
CONTINUED on Twelfth Page.)