Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-03-08
BETTER CONDITIONS
IN CITY OF MEXICO
DEMANDED BY j. S.
(Continued from First Page)

seeking only for information without
suggesting a solution. but the activi-
ties of the foreign diplomatic repre-
sentatfves have constituted a moral
PEELED the American government to
speak In emphatic language to Car
rama
The plight of Americans. however.
has been of increasing concern. for
there are more citizens of the United
States in Mexico City than of any other
country Obregon's reputation of
Villas currency worked the first hard
ship because it made many wealthy
folk penniless. The poor rioted. clam
oring for bread. and Obregon, in pub
llshed announcements. practically sane
TONED plumber and rioting. even pre-
dieting the evacuation of his own
forces II the riots developed into ex-
tensive demonstrations.
Offer Of Relief Refused.
An international relief committee,
composed Of residents OF the foreign
colony. came forward with an offer
Of 100000 pesos to buy food and take
charge of the situation, but Obregon
refused freight facilities or permission
for them to undertake the work.
The committee recently sent a petit
ton to the State Department described
Secretary Bryan has constantly de-
clined to make it public, although APP
prised that the object of the commit
tee in sending 1t was to give the state
ment publicity in the United States.
Mr. Bryan believes that in the cir
cumstances, while the American gov
eminent is bringing strong pressure to
bear on Carranza, 1t will not assist the
plight of foreigners in Mexico City IL
the statement is published.
ha q been
one Of the factors that Influenced the
Washington government to SEND its
note of warning to Carranza. although
dispatches from the Brazilian minis
tives at Mexico City have brought adj
vices of similar nature.
Conditions Reported Better.
Conditions in Mexico City are i'm
proving hourly says a statement given
out by the constitutionalist agency here
today, based on advices from Vera Cruz.
The agency says 1t desires to call at
tention to the fact that 1t has now
been week since the first story of for
eigners being in danger in Mexico City
and a reign Of terror existing there ap-
peared, and as yet no serious disturb
ances against foreigners or loss of life,
due to shortage of food, have been re-
ported. This would indicate that all re-
ports from Mexico City have been gross
1y exaggerated"
The dispatch said to have been received
from Vera Cruz follows
"Six thousand workingmen yesterday
left Mexico City for Vera Cruz to Join
the constitutionalist army. On their ar
rival they will be enlisted and used in
the campaign against Monterey and San
Luis Potosi.
Conditions in Mexico City are improv-
ing hourly Food is scarce, but there is
no likelihood of a famine. Order reigns,
and all reports that foreigners are being
molested are utterly false. Equally un-
true is the report that there is any fric-
ton between Gems Obregon and Carranza
The two men are working in complete
harmony.
Gen. Salvador Alverado has arrived at
Yucatan, having defeated the rebels in
several engagements He is expected to
arrive in Progreso very shortly and
amicably settle the difficulties that have
arisen there"
Serious Consequences Pointed Out.
Two communications sent by the
Washington government to Gen. Car
rama at Vera Cruz have pointed out In
strong terms the serious consequences
that might follow if foreigners in the
capital arc unable to get food and sup
plies.
Conditions in the city are described
in the State Department dispatches as
desperate, the people there fearing the
effects of the famine and the threatened
rioting In the event Gen. Obregon's
forces evacuate.
An element of much danger has
arisen in the rumored friction between
Gen. Obregon and Gen. Carranza. 1t is
known that Cen Obregon was much
the tax levied by Obregon on foreign
ers recently, and since that time, Off
ctal dispatches say. anti-foreign sentt-
ment has been fostered II not inspired
by Obregon himself
The possibility that Gen. Villa. who is
now at Guadalajara. might change his
military campaign temporarily from
it's noTthWard direction and turn his
entire attention TO recapturing Mexico
City was looked upon in some official
quarters as a possible solution of the
situation. inasmuch as such a move. il
successful. would give uninterrupted
passage for supplies from the Ameri-
can border by rail
Dipiomatists as we'll as officials con-
tinued to show their concern over the
problem. Inquiries which were made by
them OF each other revealed the extent
of their interest.
Story Not Yet Told, It Is Said.
At practically all the embassies and
legations the dispatches that have been
received tell of desperate condition
of affairs. the story of which has not
yet been told on account of the rigid
censorship maintained at Vera Cruz
by the Carranza authorities. Such dis
patches as have recently gotten
through say that Mexico City Is
hungry and starvation for thousands
would not be surprising If relief does
not come soon.
Carranza's order to obregon prohib-
iting the populace from using the
money issued by Villa before his de-
parture has made many persons PEN
niless Obregon was given orders to
evacuate the capital IL the people OBJ
jected to the reputation OF villa cur
rency.
Disturbed by the demonstrations. OBJ
RECON permitted a partial exchange OF
Villa money. but received promptly a
curt telegram from Carranza. In this
message, which was published in vera
Cruz, but not permitted to go to the
United States, Carranza Informed op-
RECON not to waste his energies ameli-
Grating conditions arising from the
shortage of money, since the people
were to blame for accepting villa cur
rency; that II conditions did not inn
proye he should evacuate, leaving the
situation to be solved by the bankers
and other wealty residents who were
responsible, and specifically instructed
Obregon not to use his army in queli-
ing riots.
Bread is almost unobtainable in Mex
leo City and there is a lack of food
stuffs. Many bakeries are putting out
bread made of bran. and eXtortinate
prices are charged for 1t. Charcoal rs