Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-03-26
CUTTING OFF OF SUPPLY FROM
PRooREso, MEXICO, ARousEs
.sTATE<DEPARTMENT. Z
SUPPLY MUST COME
FORWARD BY APRIL
United States Depends on Mexico For
Raw Material For Binder Irvine and
Harvesting Of All Grain Crops 10
Msnaesd BY shortage and Closing Of
Port BY carranza.
Especial correspondence

Washington, March 25.-Unless the
state department can get the situation
Strengthened out with reference to the
blocking Of the shipments Of sisal from
the port Of Progreso in Yucatan,
serious injury is threatened to the
agricultural industry in this country.
The disturbance there and the shutting
off of shipments by Carranza has given
much worry to officials here. The
state department week ago thought
it had conditions satisfactorily ad-
justed but later developments have
shown them still to be serious. The
sending OF q gunboat with money 10
move the sisal crop is plan lately
considered by the state department.
Harvesting Of Grains Involved.
The agricultural department today
gave out a statement on the subject IN
which they said the harvesting OF
practically all grains with modern ma
chinery was involved. II the port OF
Progreso had been closed, 1t would
have been impossible to secure the
sisal fibre used In the manufacture OF
binder twine. It was urgent that this
fiber be secured Immediately and come
forward in large quantities by the first
of April, otherwise the factories could
not have manufactured it in time In
sufficient volume for the use of the
farmers in harvesting this seasons
crop. It would have been necessary to
harvest by hand, and to have harvested
a large part OF the grain in this way
would have been impossible. The
matter was so serious that the presi-
dent and the secretary OF state on
representations from the department OF
agriculture and the department OF
commerce took the matter promptly
in hand. At the request of the presl-
dent. General Carranza abandoned the
blockade of the port of Progreso but
fighting in that region still jeopardizes
the crop.
In normal years about 200,0O0,O00
pounds Of binder Irvine are required
for harvesting the grain, corn and flax
crops. From two-thirds to three
fourths of this Is made from nenequin
sisal fibre, practically all Of which is
produced in Yucatan and exported
from Progreso This year the demand
for Irvine is certain to be greater than
ever. Last years wheat crop was the
lafgest the country has ever produced;
this years IL expected to be still larger.
Nine hundred million bushels is the
estimate il normal conditions prevail
from now to harvest. It is probable
that production Of the other grains,
especially Of oats, will also be In
creased and the other crops. the
sorghums and corn, will be at least the
equal Of normal years.
Stocks Already Short.
The disturbances in Mexico have al
ready caused an appreciate shortage
in the stock of fibre now this country.
Between jan I and Feb. %, 67.4s9 bales
Of $50 pounds each were brought in as
compared with 1869 bales in the
same period last year and 111,654 in
1913. II further supplies had been per-
mitted to be cut off the lack Of Irvine
would have resulted in the loss of a
very large portion Of the crops in the
very year when they are most needed.
In commenting upon the situation, the
secretary Of agriculture said that the
situation was vastly more serious than
1t was in 1912 when a threatened
shortage of Irvine resulted in a sharp
rise in price from seven to twelve cents
a pound. Then it was a matter OF
price: II Progreso were to be closed,
this year 1t would be matter. of ac-
tual scarcity which would result In the
waste Of great part Of the crops.