Evening star., 1915-03-24
TWine Manufacturers Say the
Stock in Hand Will Be Ex-
hausted in Week.
ASK SECRETARY BRYAN
FOR RELIEF MEASURES
Secretary Daniels Promises Warship.
if Needed, to Convey Purchase
Money to Progreso.


the international Harvester Company
has purchased from the Yucatan gov
ernment. and to bring which to the
United States 1t has been proposed to
employ army transports. would supply
only small part of the demand, was
emphasized today at the State Depart
ment by a delegation of independent
manufacturers of binding twine-
Secretary Bryan listened sympatheti-
cally to these representations. He said
that the situation in Yucatan had I'M
proved, and the authorities appeared
to be ready to allow the export of sisal
to be resumed. IT had not yet been de-
cided whether transports would be sent
to Progreso and Merida to bring away
the sisal, the present concern being to
get the fiber from the interior and
from the planters hands to the ports.
Only Small Supply on Hand.
The independent manufacturers of
binding twine were represented by Ed
ward B. Bayley and Augustus p Lor-
ing of Boston. They told Secretary
Bryan of their need for an adequate
supply of sisal. There was about
weeks supply in the northern mills.
100000 bales month until August to
prevent a scarcity of binding twine for
the coming harvest.
Independent manufacturers have
heretofore bought their fiber from the
planters directly and not through the
Yucatan government. They wish to
continue to do and were willing to
pay any reasonable price for protec-
ton Already they have paid local
taxes and three separate export taxes
and are willing to pay any responsible
government in Yucatan. Their main
concern is to make sure that the supply
should come forward steadily.
Gunboat to Garry Cash.
Naval officials were working out
plans today for the dispatch of war
ship to Yucatan, Mexico, which will
carry more than $625.00o belonging to
American manufacturers to move the
sisa1 hemp crop. The hemp is needed
to make binding twine and if its move
ment were further retarded, manu-
facturers say, the safe harvest of the
American wheat crop would be threat
ened. The money now is at Galveston
awaiting shipment.
Ready for Shipment.
Large supplies Of hemp are said to
scarcity Of labor and lack Of shipping
facilities have impeded Its movement.
Secretary Daniels agreed to permit
the use of a warship for the purpose
after hearing statement by Edward
C. Heidrich, jr.. of Peoria, ILL.,. repre-
senting the sisal purchasers. who out
lined the difficulties that had been en-
countered. 1t is probable that gun
boat or destroyer now In southern
waters will be sent to Galveston to
transport the money.
Daniels Promises Assistance.
Secretary Daniels at a further con-
ference with representatives of sisal
importers said he would send a, war
ship to Progreso if no other means
could be devised to transport the
money.
No warship has yet been designated
and Mr.. Daniels wants first to know
whether the money at Galveston is the
only cash to be taken to Progreso. If
there are other amounts. naval Off
cials think. they should be assembled
at one port, probably Galveston, and
there placed aboard the warship.
Commander Blakely of the, cruiser
Des Moines. at Progreso, reported to-
day that all was quiet there.
There are said to be some $500 bales
Of sisal ready for shipment at ProgreSo,
the port, and Merida. the railway center.
Of Yucatan. Since the United States gov
ernment prevented Carranza from block
aiding Progreso. the chief obstacles in
the way Of moving this supply have been
scarcity Of labor and shipping facilities.
A number of ships now awaiting
cargoes, however, and the labor situation
is improving. according to reports to the
State Department. Arrival Of the
American money is expected to result in
immediate further improvements.
Denies Towns Burned.
NEW YORK, March 24.-The Associat-
ed Press has received from Ernesto
Escalante, secretary Of the Chamber Of
Commerce of Yucatan. Mexico, the fol-
lowing telegram:
.It is false that the cities Of Merida and
Progreso and towns in other parts of the |
state of Yucatan have been burned by the |
forces Of Gen. Alvarado. |
Perfect peace prevails. Gen. Alvarado |
has given every kind of guarantee to the |
Chamber Of Agriculture Of Yucatan."