The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-11
FOOD SITUATION IN CAPITAL or MEXICO
 CONTINUES SERIOUS
tCoatipued from Page One)

by the conduct of the merchants who
 were openly defiant and with concert
 of action closed their commercial es-
 tablishments in moments of greatest
 public distress as protest against the
 humanitarian relief tax which General Obregon imposed.
 During all this time large amounts
 of food supplies have been taken into Mexico City and large quantities of
 supplies have been distributed among the distressed people. Other important measures also have been taken locking
 10 further relief which I will mention in detail at the proper time.
 While it is proper to state to your excellency that the right to occupy or to evacuate Mexico City or any othe, place in the republic must at all times be reserved and is to be exercised when deemed by the responsible military au- thorities to be in furtherance of the cause of the revolution the obligation on the ccnstitutionalist army to safeguard the lives of foreigners is nevertheless fully understood and realized. You. therefore, will permit men to assure you at the time of the evacuation of Mexico City every facility within my power will be afforded to all foreigners resident in that city to depart from the country or to go to other and safer places i'll the republic.
 Have Given Protection
 'i always have tried to give and have given the largest protection that has been
 possible to the lives ano interests Of Americans and of other foreigners, even
 during the most difficult period of our struggle. l propose continuing the same
 line of conduct. With this purpose solely ill view l addressed a note to the diplo- iaatic corps in Mexico City which I have repeated twice, inviting them in case of evacuation to come either to this port or to any city under the control of the constitutionalist forces, where they can be assured perfect protection.
 "It was only three days ago that Wash ington directed the attention of Ameri- can residents in Mexico City to your former advice to retire from the country until conditions should be settled. It is my most earnest wish that the other for eign residents follow a similar line of conduct, for the adoption of such a course would be the wisest measure that be
 taken to avoid consequences so much to be feared.
 Il wish l could adequately convey to your excellency the political and eco- homie conditions in the City of Mexico and their causes as they are understood ard know here to be, concerning which representations by an international com msttee had been made to the state de- partment. Perhaps last effort is now being made by reactionaries to bring about complications which may cause the failure of the Mexican revolution. After having encountered and disposed of other ard much more difficult and embarra s. sing situations in the past when there were large number of foreign residents scattered all over the territory of Mexico. it will prove to be most unfortunate If nov, when Mexico City alone is involved, a situation shall arise which will destroy the hopes of the Mexican people.
 Because of this consideration. permit ne to repeat the hope elsewhere ex- pressed that foreign residents may be in- duced to save your government and the republic of Mexico from endorsements by temporarily leaving the City of Mex ico. Allow me to avail myself of this op- portunity to reiterate to you the assur- personal regards.