The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1915-03-27
PROTEST ON TAXES.
U. S. Government Tells Villa He
Has No Right to Hold Up
Foreign Residents.
LIVING CONDITIONS IMPROVED
Rail Communication From City of
Mexico to e Paso Soon to be
Opened, 1t is Reported

Washington. March ia protest
was sent by the United States today
to General Villa against the collec-
ton from Americans or other foreign
ers of part of special tax of 100000
pesos levied at Monterey.
The British embassy had brought to
the attention of the state department
a report just received from Monterey
saying that the British-owned light
and power company there had been
called upon to pay $35, 600 as its share
of the new tax.
Just how the general assessment
was to be apportioned the state de-
partment was not informed, but the
understanding was that General Villa
had laid an omnibus tax on the city,
leaving it to the authorities there to
raise the money in whatever way
they saw fit The order was dated
March Is, it was said, and fifteen
days was the time given in which to
raise the money.
The department has protested prev
iousIy, notably in the case of the tax
which General Obregon tried to col
lect in Mexico City recently, against
any Of the Mexican factions forcing
contributions from foreigners. Gen
eraI Obregon needed the protest and
the tax was removed as far as foreign
ers were concerned.
Other advices to the department to-
day said living conditions in Mexico
City are improved, that rail com
munications to FL Paso probably will
be opened in four or five days, and
that fighting between Carranza and
Villa forces has begun near Tampico.
To Aid Foreigners
Washington, March Secretary
Daniels has authorized Commander
Blakely of the cruiser Des Moines at
Progreso, Mexico, to take aboard any
Americans or other foreigners seek
ing safety. The collier Brutus was or
dered to Progreso from Vera Cruz to
afford asylum to refugees.
Consul Silliman, at Vera Cruz, has
reported that General Carranza had
agreed to cooperate in providing
transportation for Americans and
other foreigners wishing to leave
Mexico City and to facilitate the trans
portation of Red Cross supplies to the
Mexican capital
Similar assurance of cooperation
has been received from the authorities
controlling Mexico City.
The schooner Susie B. DantzIer of
GulfpOrt, Miss, detained at Campeche,
has arrived at Vera Cruz and her own
ers advise that Captain Dethloff was
not imprisoned, as had been feared.
The opinion is expressed that no fur
Their difficulty would be experienced by
shipping in and out of Progreso and
that Mexican consuIs viii now be en-
powered to clear vessels for the Yucca
tan port.
Foreigners Ready to Leave.
Washington, March 17-Conditions
in the City of Mexico as well as Man
zanillO continue to give officials con-
Germ.
Apparently the re-occupation of the
capital by the Zapata forces has not
brought the expected relief, or else
Americans have tired Of their isola-
ton and the stagnation which their
business has experienced, for large
number Of them, with other foreigners,
asked the State Department today,
through the Brazilian minister, to OBJ
tain transportation for them to Vera
Cruz
Urgent representations were. made
to General Carranza concerning his
troops at ManzaniIlo, whose activities
have been causing Americans and for
eigners much apprehension. The
American consul was instructed to
keep in close touch with the comman-
der of the cruiser Cleveland should
foreigners become further endangered.
Fire on U. S. Boat.
Galveston, Tex, March 1.-THE ten
der of the United States battleship
Delaware was fired upon by Shippers
at Vera Cruz March 10, according to
reports brought here today by passen-
gers on the Norwegian steamship City
Of TampicO. The tender went into
the harbor for Captain Rogers OF the
Delaware and was fired upon while in
bound and again while returning to
the Warship. No one was injured.
SapUIpa Residents Injured in Storm.