The Washington times., 1915-04-04
CUSTOMS COLLECTOR
IS ACCUSED BY VILLA
Mexican Chieftain DecaIres
Frank Rabb Discriminates
Against Him.

An official investigation of charges
that Frank Rabb, collector of customs
at Brownsville, Tex, has been In
triguing in Mexican affairs and has
attempted to interfere in the shipment
of non-contraband goods from the
American side to Mexican belligerents,
will be instituted as the result of a
complaint made today.
1t Is learned that a protest will be
made to the State Department, If 1t
has not already been filed, by the villa
confidential lagenncy here, objecting to
alleged discrimination by Rabb against
the Villa force at Matamoras, OPP
posite Brownsville, where villa ana
Carranza troops have been preparing
for one of the most important engage
ments of the revolution.
The Villa forces charge that Rabb has
refused to permit provisions consigned
to the Villa army to be sent over the
border, while permitting shipments to
60 through to Carranza's troops. Pro-
test made to the collector, 1t Is said.
met with the explanation that he was
acting under Washington orders. When
inquiry was made at the Treasury De-
partment Villa representatives said they
were told that no instructions had been
sent to Rabb.
Went to Capital.
tics were made against Rabb several
months ago when he obtained leave Of
absence and went to Mexico City. He
was charged with furthering the presi-
dental ambition of Gen. Lucio Blanco.
who captured Matamoras from Car
rama.
Blanco was in Mexico City at the
time of Rabb's visit. Blanco later
broke with Carranza and Joined Pres
aspt fs wi GSsrtGS Raness Wns shs
tured by villa recently at Aguas
Calientes and was shot for treason
after court marital
Villista agents charge that Rabb
has been unfriendly to Villa since
Blanco's execution and that he has
taken adyantage Of his official posi-
tion to air his animosity.
With famine conditions prevailing in
Tampico. 300 Americans, most Of them
destitute. have appealed to the United
States to be brought home.
Their request now "a under consider
alton and it is expected that, If no other
arrangement can be made, an army
transport will be sent from Galveston
for that purpose.
Is growing more serious daily. Car
rama has sent additional troops there
and they brought practically no food
with them. AS result much of the
foodstuffS have been Communicated.
Fighting continues at Ebano. where
q number of the big oil properties have
been badly damaged The oil opera
tors have organized for the purpose OF
importing corn from the United State.
for local distribution. 1t is to be dis
posed Of at cost to relieve the situation
The resistance Of the Ortis party II
eastern Yucatan Is declared to hav'
broken completely. Carranza now 4
said to be in full control of Yucatal
and conditions generally are quiet.
Sisel Being Shipped.
The railroad between Merida an,
Progreso is being repaired and sise
Is being sent forward as fast as -sl1ip
can be loaded. The Aim has clearet
for New Orleans with 5000 bales O
sisel and the Berwind Vale is loadin;
10000, and expects to clear for the sam,
port today.
Reports from the west coast declar
that a column Of Carranzistas, el
route to attack Guadalajara, has beel
routed by Villistas with a loss Of sew
eral hundred. There has been som
rioting at Guaymas and most of tn
stores there are now reported closed
Acapulco and Mazatlan are reporte,
quiet.
Officials here believe that General
Villa and Angeles, who are reported L
have left Monterey yesterday, are el
route to the border to take comman,
of the operations against Matamoras
Tho defeat in the initial fighting ther
Is declared to have angered Villa a
that he could control the border
Angeles, who is one of the best artillery
men in Mexico, is expected to assum
command Of the artillery and to s.
arrange 1t that no shells will fall Cl
American territory.