Evening star., 1915-05-29

2
vide for the sustenance Of the starving
In connection with conditions in Mex
leo the American Red Cross has issued
= statement describing them as ZAP
pallins" Great numbers OF unfortu-
nate people are victims of the long
continued fighting" says the state
ment. They have been facing starva-
tion for months and now have reached
an acute stage, where only food sup
plies can save them from death
White House Issues Statement.
The White House last night gave out
this statement:
when the Presidents appeal for aid
for the Mexicans was issued 1t was
also stated at the executive Offices
that a statement from the President
on the present situation in Mexico
might be expected within the next few
days"
Oh1cials at the White House and State
Department declined to say what the
Presidents statement contained, but
denied that recognition of any faction
was now contemplated. 1t was stated
authoritatively that while friends of
Carranza here had been pressing for
recognition. the Washington govern
ment had not been impressed with the
ability of any of the contending chiefs
to restore order.
Comment by Officials.
High officials referred to the Presi-
dents Forthcoming pronouncement as
not meaning immediate intervention.
and they empha asized the word inn
mediate" The impression in execu-
tive quarters was that one purpose
would be to place responsibility for the
present state of affairs squarely upon
the military elements in the southern
republic. which have overrun the
country and appropriated its food sup
ply or prevented the tilling of the
soil
of allowing the Mexicans to settle their
differences without outside interfer-
ence. the President is said to be de-
termined that the civilian population
of the country shall not be starved In
the meantime
Many diplomatists thought that the
United States was paving the way for
intervention by notifying the world
of its purpose to take the step Tor the
sake of humanity. They pointed out
that similar utterance had preceded
Intervention in Cuba in 1898
For the present ii is understood the
notification to all the Mexican factions
Of the intolerable state of affairs and
the desire of the American government
for a betterment of conditions will be
allowed to stand without explanation
while the relief work of the American
Red Cross is understood in earnest.
United States Policy Outlined.
The belief was widespread in official
and diplomatic circles that the United
States government as first step would
insist on keeping the railroad between
Vera Cruz and Mexico City open for the
transportation of supplies. and might
even deliver its supplies to the people
in other Mexican cities by govern
mental agencies.
The governments plans, it is said.
will take several weeks to be worked
out and they are not expected to come
to a decisive point while the delicate
negotiations with Germany are In
progress.
American consuls throughout Mexico
had been instructed to keep the State
Department closely advised as to the
suffering of the people and famine con-
ditions. In the meantime the depart,
ment is cooperating with the Red
Cross in the arrangements for relief.
Government Losing No Time.
TT takes time" said Mr.. Bryan.
80 collect goods to relieve such a stu
alton. and while the government is
making arrangements for getting the
goods there it is losing no time in ar
ranging the collection of the goods"
Mr.. Bryan referred to the frequent
changes in the control of various cities.
and remarked that recently there had
been intimations that Mexico City
would change hands again.
very hard place to defend. and it
has changed hands several times, be-
cause those inside prove weaker in de-
Tense and those outside stronger In
attacking it."
Great Britain. through her embassy
here. had been exerting pressure for
the relief of conditions in Mexico.
Duval Vests Report.
= IT was pointed out, however, that
Duval West. after spending three
months making an Investigation Of
conditions in Mexico. was understood
to have brought back information
tending to show that none of the lead
ers had suffcient capacity to dominate
the situation, and to have suggested
that the United states must compel a
settlement.
The idea that by relieving distressed
conditions among the populace the in
fuence Of the United States govern
ment upon the warning factions would
increase is said to have been one of
Mr.. Vests arguments. His reports
were of decidedly pessimistic char
acter concerning the economic as well
as political conditions. He found that
most OF the crops were failures. that
the land had not been titled and that
the food supply was diminishing to
such an alarming degree that almost
the entire population was threatened
with starvation.
Moreover, he is said to have reported
that no military development could be
expected to bring immediate relief. be-
cause Of the scarcity of arms and am
munition brought about by the sale of
large quantities to Europe by American
manufacturers.
Hope Of Coalition of Best Elements.
The great hope OF the American gov
ernment now. IL is said, il that its
influence on the situation will be such
as to bring about a coalition of the
best elements and set up provisional
government which may be recognized
The State Department gave out
summary of the negotiations with Gen
Villa relative to the decree compelling
all foreign owners Of mines in the
state of Durango to pay their EN-
pioyes in Mexican or American bullion
under penalty Of having their prop
critics coniscated. The companies pro-