The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-07-30
Urgent Representation Sent to All Mexican Chiefs 'on the Food Shortage in Mexico City
MESSAGE NOT MADE PUBLIC BY LANSING:
 ACTUAL STARVATION
Definite Action Will Soon Be Taken by the United
 States Unless Mexican Leaders Arrange Peace

washington, July SB.-Demanqfng In the name of humanity that food he per- mitted to reach the starving people of Mexico City, the state department to- night sent urgent representations to Generals Carranza. Villa and Zapnta. declaring avenues of transportation to Mexico City must be opened to provi- sion trains. The text of the represen- tations, signed by Secretary Lansing, was not made public, but it is known that the document is forerunner of more definite action soon to be taken in the form of a final demand that the Mexican factions end their strife and establish n constitutional government by means of joint conference.
 Officials believe General Carranza at Vera Cruz can keep the railroad to Mex ico City from Vera Cruz open for trans- portation of food beyond Pachua at least and that either he or Zapata, in co-opera- ton with Villa, can control the line be- yond that point.
 Official reports from Mexico City today said there was actual starvation there and that conditions generally were worse than ever. People of all classes are suf- fering.
 Actual Starvation
 A message from Vera Cruz detailed an assault on an American near Puebla and violation of the American flag by Zapata soldiers few days ago. It served further to arouse officials here to the gravity of the situation.
 A new division of Mexican affairs was created today in the state department. Heretofore the Mexican matters have keen handled by the division of Latin American affairs Leon J. Canova was appointed chief of the new division. which ! will handle all diplomatic correspondence and other business relating to Mexico. Advices to the American Red Cross from Charles J. O'Connor, special Red Cross representative. directing relief work in Mexico City, communicated to Secretary Lansing today said:
 Scarcity of food is far greater than it was two weeks ago. People are actually dying of starvation, as 1 can prove by doctors and nurses. We have had no word
 
 time we have started to buy anything here some change of government has made a change of plan necessary. We are ready to distribute food to families, but have not yet been able to secure any at a req sonable price. Conditions are more cha otic than ever and there is not a single government official with whom to deal A letter from O'Connor dated in Mexico City July 15 said that stores were closed and business paralyzed.
 A message to the state department dated July 2S, detailed an assault upon Allan Mallory an American citizen. by Zapata soldiers near Puebla.
 Mallory, the report said was in an au- tomobile with son of the Chilean min ister to Mexico and two Spanards. The car, en route to the coast. flew the Amer ican flag and was carrying diplomatic cor respondence.
 Automobile Stopped
 Near Puebla the automobile was stopped by a company of Zapata soldiers. The oc- cupants were pulled out and the American flag was torn from its staff and trampled upon by the soldiers, who took Mallory and his companions before a Zapata of- ficer. They were searched, their papers taker and the two Spaniards sentenced to be executed. Whether sentence was car red out Is not known. the message bear Ing eVldence or having been censored
 Mallory protested against the sentenc- ing of the Spaniards, one of whom was his chauffeur.
 Keep your mouth shut or you will be shot" he was told by the officer, who later released him. An investigation of the incident has been ordered.
 Paul Hudson, editor of the Mexican Herald, and his family, are still prisoners in Mexico City. another message said Or ders for their release signed by Presi- dent Chazaro, head of the Mexico City convention government, are said to have been ignored and appeals from American citizens and the Brazilian minister have been fruitless.
 The Villa agency tonight issued state ment denying the evacuation of Torreon
 Troops Are Sent
 Douglas, Ariz.. July 29-Col J. F. Guil- foye. commanding the border patrol, sent detachment of the Tenth cavalry today to Palominas ranch, 15 miles west of Naco. whence came report of trouble between American cowboys and Mexicans The boundary runs through the ranch and the Americans assert that several hundred Mexcans ran horses from the American side to the Mexica side. De- mands for the return of the horses were met by threats, it was said.
 Gen. P. Elias Callas and his Carranza troops were reported today to have with drswn from the investment of Nogales. Sonora. and to have marched east.
 
 Kings Cup Presented