Evening star., 1915-07-30
MEXICAN LEADERS
EXPECTED TO HEED
Responses to Representations
on Food Supplies Eagerly
Awaited Here.
U. S. is DETERMINED
TO EXTEND RELIEF
Carranzista Victory Over Villa
Column at Pachuca Confirmed in
State Department Dispatches.

Responses to the urgent representa-
tions made by the United States to the
leaders of the Mexican military fac
tions that they allow food supplies to
reach the starving people of Mexico
City were eagerly awaited by official
Washington today. The belief prevails
that the Mexican leaders will accede
to the requests of the United States in
this matter.
At the State Department today Sec
retary Lansing said that these repre-
sentations were made for humanitarian
purposes, and that they were not to be
considered the forerunner of the policy
which it is expected the United States
will adopt toward Mexico He said also
that these representations were not
to be considered in the nature of
threat.
Firm Terms Are Used.
1t is understood. however. that the
United States will leave no stone un-
turned to bring about the relief of the
Mexican noncombatants and the for
eigners living in Mexico City. The
language of the dispatches to the Mex
ican leaders has not been made public
by Secretary Lansing, but the mes
sages were couched in firm terms. 1t Is
understood.
From Vera Cruz the State Depart
ment today received dispatches con-
nrming the report that the Carran-
zistas, under Gen Gonzales. had defeat
ed the Villa column at Pachuca, and
that Gonzales was expected to reoccupy
Mexico City within short time.
The Carranza agency here gave out
a dispatch stating that the Carranzista
army in northeastern Mexico had re-
sumed active operations, and that Gems.
Carlos Ozuna and Ignacio Ramos, after
a sharp engagement at Icamole. had de-
feated the Villistas, who had retreated
announced that the Villista garrison
at Torreon had been greatly reduced in
numbers and that the line of defense
of the Villistas has been extended south
Durango. 1t was announced, too, that
Raoul and Emilio Madero have arrived
at Ell Paso with the remnants of their
former following.
Sent to Three Generals.
The dispatches sent to the Mexican
leaders by the United States demand
ing that the railroad line between Vera
Cruz and Mexico City be kept open for
were Identical and were addressed to
Gems. Carranza, villa and Zapata.
Representations were sent by the
State Department today to Gen. Zapata
via Mexico City regarding the reported
assault by Zapata soldiers on Allan
Mallory. an American citizen, near Pu-
ebla. The communication inquired as
to responsibility for the attack and
asked protection for the future. The
message was sent to the Brazilian min
ister at Mexico City, who was asked to
forward 1t to Zapata, believed to be
encamped south Of the capital.
In view Of the fact that Gen. Con-
zales. the Carranza commander. an
nounced before evacuating the capital
that provision trains would have right
lieved that Carranza will direct that to
be done, especially in view of the strong
representations made by the United
States.
Conditions Chaotic.
The dispatch of the notes demanding
the railroad be kept open followed the
receipt by Secretary Lansing of a COM
munication from the American Red
Cross sent by Charles ]. OConnor, in
charge of the Red Cross relief work in
the Mexican capital as more chaotic
than ever People are actually dying
of starvation. despite the fact that they
have the money with which to buy
food.
Mr.. O'Connor's message cabled from
Vera Cruz under date of Wednesday
was as follows:
Scarcity of food is far greater than
it was two weeks ago. 1t is almost i'm
possible to buy corn; vegetables are
far less plentiful than they were two
weeks ago. People are actually dying
of starvation. | can prove by doc
I,n
of supplies coming from the states
Each time we have started to buy
here some change of govern
ment had made change Of plan neces-
saw.
I'VE are ready to distribute food to
families. but have not yet been able to
secure any at a reasonable price. Con-
ditions are more chaotic than ever and
there is not single government official
with whom to DEAL
Change in the Currency.
A letter from Mr.. O'Connor dated in
Mexico City. July 10, said
THE already desperate condition of
the people of this city has been rendered
almost hopeless by the change in the
currency. Beginning with July 10. when
the Zapatista evacuation was completed,
nearly all of the stores and other places
OF business nave remained practically
closed
Some have had one door open while
the shutters have remained in place be-
fore the windows. A few sales have
been made, but on the whole. business
is paralyzed. The present condition is
worse than 1t was during any of the |
half dozen former changes of govern
nent.
1T has been a matter of grave con-
Germ to every person. rich and poor. |
native and foreign. whether the two |
kinds of curreny, which constituted all |
but a small per cent Of the money in |
have suddenly become |
" worthless or not
"They have had very restricted crcu- |
ation since July TO- Today decree |
was published declaring that they are |
invalid and limiting the number of re-
validos more closely than people had
Unable to Purchase Food.