Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-03-16
PORT OF PROGRESO
REOPENS ON ORDER
Mexican Chieftain Abandons Block
ade of Harbor on Earnest Re-
quest from United States.
ACTION IS TAKEN SATURDAY

WASHINGTON, March 15.-Gen-
eral Carranza has abandoned his
blockade. of the port of Progreso on
urgent representations by the United
States.
The Mexican gunboat Zaragosa has
been called off and two American
ships laden with sisal for the United
States were cleared Saturday without
interference.
Rear Admiral Caperton. command
ing the American fleet in Mexican
waters, reported the raising OF the
blockade in his official dispatches
early today and reported that the
Zaragosa has returned to Vera Cruz.
The admirars dispatches telling of re-
lief of the situation crossed a new note
from the United States, which was sent
on its way to Carranza this morning Civ
ing notice that the United States was
determined to raise the blockade, and, il
necessary, use the cruiser Des Moines to
do so.
InsurcB Irvine supply
It became known for the first time to-
day that last week the Mexican gunboat
had stopped one American ship with
shot across its bows. had hold up another
and had interfered with British
shipping The seriousness of the
situation growing out of the blockade OF
Progreso was pointed out by Secretary
Houston of the Department OF Agricul'
ture. who advised the president that ZOO
100000 pounds OF Irvine are used each
year in the United States in binding
grain, and flax crops and that nine-tenths
of the supply is made from sisal grown IN
Yucatan and exported through Progreso
kilograms from manufacturers and
farmers In the grain growing slater
pouring into the White House and
less sisal were obtained through Progreso
the harvesting Of this years grain crops
would be embarrassed.
Since February % the State department
has steadily protested to Carranza against
closing Progreso where there have been
factional troubles between Mexicans
nominally under his control The people
OF Yucatan. it was said, obtain all their
food from outside sources and were as
ANXIOUS that the. embargo lie raised as
was the United States.
Wilson's Note TO CRrranza.
President Wilson's reply 10 General
Carranza's note OF March 8. which was. in
j. Spouse Ia the urgent representations OF
the United states for better treatment of
foreigners Ia Mexico. was az follows:
Il thank you for your message OF
March for the reinsurance it conveys
and for your Kind personal words. l beg
that you viii understand that II our mes
sages occasionally are couched in terms
of strong emphasis. it is only because
they contain some matters which touch
the very safety of Mexico itself and the
whole process of its future history.
I'VE seek always to act as friends OF
the Mexican people and as their friends
II is our duty to speak very plainly about
The danger which threatens them from
without. whatever happens within their
borders which is calculated to arouse the
hostile sentiment of the whole world.
Nothing will stir that sentiment more
promptly or more hotly or create greater
danger for Mexico than any (even tenn
porary) disregard for lives, the safety or
the rights of the citizens OF other coun-
tries resident within it's territory or APP
parent contempt for the rights and safety
II those who represent religion.
ANY attempt to justify or explain these
things will not eradicate this sentiment
or lessen the danger that will arise from
. hem.
ITO warn you concerning such matters
is an act of friendship. not of hostility.
snd we cannot make the meaning too
earnest. To speak less plainly or with
less earnestness would be to conceal from
you terrible risk which no lover OF
Mexico should care to run"