New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-04-04

1915, there will be n shortage Of 3d.
$4,000 bushels OF corn alone, not TO
mention the other absolutely neces-
sary cereals, is now we'll known TO
those investigating. who have made
careful study OF this phase OF
Mexico's ills.
THAT the effects OF this wanton de.
struction are only just beginning TO
be felt is due 60 the great productive
riches OF MeXico's agricultural re
gions, where. It's said. the farmer has
but to scratch the soil and drop his
seed, while God and sunshine do the
rest. But self-seeking and self-ap-
pointed military lenders have for so
long time prevented the farmer from
even scratching the soil over so grca,
an acreage that Mexico is about to
reap the whirlwind she has sown
About next July the real pinch Of
hunger will be felt throughout the
length and breadth of Mexico.
THAT these conditions are the di-
rect result of the wanton and selfish
attitude Of the military leaders Of diff
ferent factions who claim to be fight
ing for the liberties of the people has
been made most plain of late Dy the
conduct Of General Aware Obregon,
acting under the directions of General
Nenustiano Carranza. General Obre-
gon entered the City of Mexico on Jan
uary 20 last. On the following day
the water supply of the city was cut.
The price of foodstuffs, already very
high, due TO the depreciation in the
purchasing power of Mexican cur
rency, rose to exorbitant figures, but
General Obregon, acting under the di-
rect orders of General Carranza, en-
deavored in. every way 10 prevent the
introduction of foodstuffs into Mexico
City.
Looting and Soaking.
when the inevitable consequences
Of this plan began 10 evince them
selves and the people cried Cor food,
General Obregon addressed them
through the press and by means OF
printed posters, informing them that
the food shortage was due to specula-
tors and 10 the selfshness of the well.
TODD classes. He Immediately decreed
special tax levy Of 20,000,OO0 pesos
TO relieve what he had the efrontery
TO characterize the desperate situation
Of the city'S poor.
when the merchants refused 20 pay
this tax he invited the rabble TO take
what they could by looting and sack
ing, informing them under his sigma
ture that If this general looting be-
gan ne would march out OF the city
with his troops. not firing a single
shot to prevent the mob from taking
what they wished. But the people
were not deceived. They refused 10 be
used as his tools The merchants OF
The foreign colonies raised a relief
fund of more than 100000 in few
DAYS by voluntary subscription. ana
the acute stage of the crisis passed.
prices of foodstuffs in Mexico CITY
are 200 and 500 per cent higher than
in normal times and still rising. due
TO the Vaccinations of military lead
ers of the type of Obregon, which I'M
fortunately includes practically all
What is true of the food situation IN
Mexico City applies also to the fuel
situation. The spirit which will starve
a people for personal gain or selfsh
military ambition does not make Tor
liberty of democracy. Mexico must
reap as she has sown, and unless the
anarchy. chaos and Gesolation which
prevail in all parts of the republic
under the guise of hberating armies
are remedied, the world Will witness
spe ,;acle here which will be as page
torn from the history Of the Middle
Ages"