Evening star., 1915-03-11
CARRANzA TO TRY
TO PROTECT ALIENS.
Addresses Reply to U. S. Note
Personally to Presi-
dent Wilson.
URGES ALL FOREIGNERS
TO QUIT MEXICO CITY
Denies Charges Against 0bregon
Hints at Last Effort to
Throttle Revolution.

VERA CRUZ, March 11.-Gen- We
nustiano Carranza, in answer to the pro-
test addressed to him by Secretary OF
State Bryan through United States Con-
sui Silliman regarding conditions IN the
City of Mexico, last night addressed a
reply to President Wilson personally. He
denies the responsibility of the constitu-
tionalists for situation which is con-
sidered alarming for foreigners, but ex-
presses the hope that Americans and
citizens Of other countries Will lose no
time in departing from Mexico until tran
quillity shall be restored. The constitu-
tionalist chief pledges himself to provide
every facility for the exodus which he
recommends. He suggests that II foreign
residents do not desire to leave the coun-
try they should seek safer places in the
republic.
Gen. Carranza declares that he al
ways has tried to safeguard the inter-
ests of Americans and other foreigners
and intends to continue this course.
The charges that Gen. Obregon has
deliberately fostered disturbances in
Mexico City are denied by Carranza, who
declares every possible effort has been
made to distribute food supplies He
contends that the present situation has
been aggravated by the conduct of mer-
chants who have protested against the
imposition of humanitarian relief tax.
Text of Reply.
The following is the text of Cen.
Carranza's reply:
II am in receipt Of a communication Of
the 8th instant. from John R Silliman in
which he transmitted to me the text Of
his instruction from the Department of
State.
although the terms in which this
note is worded would afford me cause
for not answering. 1t Is my wish, not
withstanding, that my silence not be
construed as justification Of charges
contained in the same. I have tried
to put aside for the>moment references
which are made to my personal re-
sponsibiHty and looking only for the
fit of the cause which the Mexican
people have intrusted to me, thought
it my duty to answer at once.
"on the other hand. In view Of the
Importance of the subject discussed in
the aforesaid note, have thought my
self authorized not to follow this time
customary channels. but to address
you president Wilson) personally
concerning matter which may In
volve the success Of the Mexican revo-
luton
In the note 1 am answering it is
taken for granted that the imputa-
tions made against Gen. Obregon by
an international committee of foreign
residents in the City of Mexico. the
substance of which also has been COM
his note Of the first instant. are true
ana this assumption has been INDUCED
IN when the answer to these imputa-
t1ons was being prepared.
Denies obregon Inciting ciots.
"Reserving the privilege of answering
more fully and in detail, through the
customary diplomatic channels. the
note referred to lately, I take this op-
portunity to state in an earnest and
emphatic way that Gen. Obregon never
has intended to incite the hungry
populace of the city of Mexico to COM
NIT outrages of any character. He has
not prevented in any way the en-
trance cf food supplies into Mexico
City, but on the contrary has facilitat-
ed such importations. He has not
created willfuIiy the distressing con-
ditfons which prevail at present in
Mexico City, but has done everything
in his power to alleviate them.
Such a situation is the consequence
of painful but unavoidable state of
war in which We are and which for the
first time really has reached Mexico
City, but it has been aggravated by
the conduct of the merchants, who
were openly defiant and with concert
of action closed their commercial es-
tablishments in moments of greatest
humanitarian relief tax which Gen.
Obregon imposed,
"In face of the charges expressed by
the international committee in It's COM
plant to the State Department I point
you to the fact that Gen. Obregon has
been in the possession of the City of
Mexico since January 26 until today
without mobs. assassinations. lootings
or any other of the outrages which are
apt to occur and frequently do occur in
times of war.
Food Taken Into Capital.
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 have also been taken look
ing to further relief, which I will men,
tion in detail at the proper time.
while It is proper. to state to your
to evacuate Mexico City or any other
place in the republic must at all times
be reserved and is to be exercised when
deemed by the responsible military au-
thoritfes to be in furtherance of the
cause of the revolution. the obligation
on the constitutionalist army to safe
guard the lives of foreigners is never
theless fully understood and realized
You will therefore permit me to assure
you that 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 the
country or to go to other and safer
places in the republic.
Will Protect Foreigners.
IT always have tried to give, and have
given. the largest protection that has
been possible to the lives and interests
of Americans and other foreigners