New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-08-11
1t Is Sent to Washington
Through the Brazilian
Minister.
U. S. IMPLORED
TO HELP PEOPLE
Plea Tells of Civilians Slain by
Soldiers and Residents of
Capital Starving.

Mexico City, July 81 (via Laredo,
Tex. Aug. 10).-An appeal for help for
Americans in Mexico and for the relief
Of the people Of the country itself has
been sent by the American Society Of
Mexico to the State Department IN
Washington through the Brazilian Min
ister. II describes conditions in the
Mexican capital as unerdurable, which
have driven Americans here almost to
desperation. and implores the Wash
incton government to act promptly IN
bringing about amelioration.
"The American residents Of Mexico
appcal once more to their government
and people in behalf of the suffering
millions of pacific men, women and
children in this country who are VIC
tins of hunger and cruelty and vio-
lence." the appeal begins. THESE con-
ditions put the gravest and most press
ING responsibility upon the United
States. which not only has passively
permitted them but has promoted them
with arms and ammunition and by en-
enlargement to political adventures
who have prostituted the name OF lib
erty and the cause of human rights.
SAYS Americans Stand Aghast.
Americans and other foreigners.
the appeal continues, stand aghast
and wonder whether they can be living
in the twentieth century and in a coun-
try bordering on the United states,
which has made itself responsible to
the world for protection of life and
property here, and yet does nothing
more than send repeated warnings that
are derided by half-sayage men. drunk
with i'll gotten power and the spirit
of graft and hate.
For many months the Americans
here, driven almost to desperation,
have tried to bring their government
to a realization of the awful situation
and begged that the American people
be informed. Their request. long de-
ried. was finally conceded in part by
the President in his own statement OF
June = reciting briefly the conditions
in Mexico.
these conditions. then hardly en-
durable, are much worse now. and the
apparent inactivity of the government
at Washington fills Mexico with de-
spair. There is not even a semolance
Of government here at the capital. and
we are living on a smoulderlng vol
cano. The entire City Council mas
been imprisoned without cause. We
have seen three changes Of armed gov
eminent in thirty days. There Is no
communication with the world except
by special messengers"
Cites Many Outrages.
Numerous instances of outrages on
Americans and others are cited.
The efforts CT Americans who are
mentioned as trying TO convince me
world that Mexico is not hungry and
Red Cross work not needed are de-
plored. The number of deaths from
lack of food. said TO be from ten TO
twelve daily here. is declared 70 be IN
creasing. The efforts of Special Com
missioner O'Connor TO help anne liorate
the distress by getting food IN are
dwelt upon. but it is declared that
after having been here one month he
has not yet succeeded in bringing
round of food into the capital or to
receive even message from WASH
ington regarding the work. Futile
efforts of the International Keller
Committee to get an empty train out
of the city and back again with food
also are described.
Mention is made of the seizure by
the authorities of THE Mexican Her
aid" the only English periodical left
in the city. The appeal concludes;
"The few reports coming from out
side the capital nearly all show the
same conditions of distress. If some
thing is not done By the United States
or other foreign governments to open
communications, supply food and stop
the killing of men. outraging OF women
and destruction of property. there will
be still graver complications tor the
world to settle in Mexico. The break
ing point mas been reached. where for
eigners who have long counselled self
restraint are getting desperate because
of what they see around them and
what they suffer themselves"