The Washington times., 1915-03-05
MEXICO CITY MOBS.
CRY FOR FOOD AND.
THREATEN UPRISING.
Grave Concern Felt by the
Administration Over Condi-
tions IN Capital.

oravest concern Is felt today by the
Administration over conditions existing
In Mexico City.
Examination Of official reports to the
State Department since Monday show
that. far from exaggerating the state
Of public opinion IN the Mexican capt.
tal the press reports have for the most
Dart failed to do justice to tbe true
situation.
Otter Generalization seems to have
seised uuon the populace-a demoral-
isat1on born Of hunger. Industries have
ceased to operate, and the idle can find
no work. But even II work could be
found. food would still be scarce, for.
according to the state Departments 8
advices, all railroads to and from
Mexico City have ceased to run, and
the hungry of Mexico City can get no
supplies.
Bank Doors Closed.
The decree Of General Obregon, Car
ranxa's general commanding at Mexico
city. multiplying the issue Of $4,000. 900
pesos. put out when Villa was in con-
troll Of the city, and heretofore ac-
cepted as good money by the banks,
has closed the doors of most Of the
financial institutions. Business firmc
which have not gone into bankruptcy
also closed their doors.
On his way to the Cabinet this MORN
ing. Secretary Of State Bryan said that
hA hA Rpo.
lillian Minister to the effect that Obre-
Eon had arbitrarily ordered these shops
to reopen and to accept constttutionalist
money. How long this will serve to
mob for food is a matter of conjecture.
Tho supplies of these shops are already
low, and at present there Is no prospect
that importations into Mexico City will
be resumed.
Would Leave City To Mob.
While It is stated in the official dis
patches that no actual riots have broken
out. reference is made to many signs
that point to an uprising of the hungry
before long. So persistent have these
signs been that ObreGon. apparently
alarmed, has served notice that should
riots occur. he would leave the city to
the mercy Of the mob.
Although the foreigners in the capital
have organized an international relief
committee. the hands Of this committee
are to a large extent tied by the cessa-
tion of railroad traffic and the ditfi-
Guilty Of getting food into the capital
To the south and west of the capital.
Zapata's hordes of desperate brtEands
infest all roads. To the north. farming
operations were long ago paralyzed by
the successive raids Of Villas forces
from that direction. Eastward rowing
bands Of malcontents make traffic by
wagon dangerous.
It is feared that should the populace
Of the capital be goaded by hunger.
break loose, the first objective Of the
mob would be the foreign quarters.
where 1t is known that care has been
taken to store up provisions against
Just such a condition as now exists.
Representatives of foreign govern
nents in Washington are daily applying
10 the State Department for infornia-
lion as to what this Government is do
ing to relieve the situation. The state !
1t is understood. is en-
through Consul Silliman: as
Carranza headquarters. to prevail on
The first chief to permit the railroads
10 resume operations. SO far Silliman |
has been able to make little or no !
headway.