The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-11-17

GN wv - 49, wv VhOFS " ~
experiences IN the last feto tceeks IN
tie Interior and on the border. The
JollomfnO is the first Of a series of
articles:
~ MARK y. WATSON,
NuEvo LAREDO. Mexico. Nov. i2.--Over
he uneven fagstones OF this frontier
village, glancing curiously at the ruins
Of the buildings which the Huertistas
left In ashes Il year and a half age. there
marched this morning a little column of
men and women loaded with their scanty
possessions. They walked at a leisurely
gait, and-were going south. It u now
Q daily sight.
Formerly there were many such
groups, but they were going at top speed
and were going north. to cross the Rio
Grsnde and seek asylum In the United
States until such time as peace should
he restored in Mexico. allowing them 10
return to their poor little farms. These
emigrants were only from points near
tho border. Few from the interior had
the slightest Idea where to 20 for refuge.
and would ave been unable 10 get there
had they known.
The return to Mexico suggests q con-
uCtN VII thN poAt VI Nic NIhvCAleIB LnAL
peace is dawning. Naturally there N no
such tide OF travel In the Ell Paso dis
trict, nor even In the Brownsville dis
trici. but through Laredo and Earle
Pass into tranquil territory many are
now moving back.
II Is also worthy OF note that the rich
are not going back In any numbers. but
are staying on American soil and making
cautious o%vertures TO the now successful
Carranzistas with a view to conserving
their large properties. threatened by the
first Chiefs taxation programme.
Politics In Raids.
The border troubles. particularly those
Ia the Brownsville district, which have
aroused bitter feeling on both sides OF
the Rio Grande. unQuestionably can bo
traced in large part to political affairs,
and these political affairs are by no
means confined to the south side Of the
river. Al present Gov. Ferguson, who
wishes as much as any one 10 end the
trouble with the bandits. is sparring with
various pottical opponents who seek to
make a political issue Of the Governors
attitude toward the uprisinks. Every
one seems to be opposed to the army
Isogramme Of declaring martial law
in a zone extending the full length Of
he border.
So far az politics on the south side Of
the river are concerned. IL IL to b ex-
pected that in this section at least, where
tarranza has long been dominant, the
populace should be heartily in favor Of
CarTanza in its public expressions. A.
. matter Of fact Carranza has sorne ex-
uemely warm friends, who admire him
tor exactly Inc same eason that his
most active enemies dislike him.
The middle class seems frankly Car
fanzista. h tradesmen. who In former
years We're forced 10 GEAR almost the
whole brunt of taxati.I. are vigorously
In favor Of the new FIRST Chief, who
promises 10 divide taxes so thai tho
great land owners will pay their share.
1hey Trust the promises because n
nave Watched his past performances
acts which it is charRed have alienated
he wealthy. who have in consequence
devoted their energy to inspiring bad
feeling against the First Chief.
Had New Tax Plan.
II is a fact that as Governor OF
Coahuila C~arranza introduced a system
Of taxation which was novel In Mexico
and disiasteful to the rich. He had the
revolutionary idea that the rich should
pay most of the taxes. The rich be-
.evei not only that they should not pay
NE major part but that they should not
pay anything. He imposed heavy taxes
o. the great estates which had paid
aosurdly small taxes or none at all.
.,otabie among these estates were those
OF the MaderO family and the Treyino
ismily' which Is allied by marriage.
THESE tracts run into the 1000. 900 and
1000. goo acre class.
" Is a fact that later on he cancelled
inc enormous concessions for cotton in
,ne Torreon district from which the
Aaderos had further benefited.
WIN the exception of Julio Madero,
most OF tho family of the assassinated
PRESIDENT then turned against Carransa
shd have been opposed to him ever
.ince' The C~arranEistas charge the Ma.
oeros with fomenting the small disturb
.hces and directly aiding the larger
s'sturbdncs created by Villa.
me activity OF this element Is espe-
elaiiy obvious because of the vast
wealth OF the principals. Exactly SINH
lar In Kind II not In extent is the &C.
WHY Of numerous foreigners in much
,e same position. They had become
sccustomed to the old regime. II which
immunity from taxation could be pur.
enased from a VIGOROUSLY venal central
government, They had even made their
Investments In the belief hat these con-
cluons would continue indefinitely.
Against a change which threatened 10
:rp them Of special privilege they pro.
Vested violently.
Retreat Into U. 8.
VI the American side of the border
mere Wa, ~ theory at least. safety of
ne ana limb, Thither came many In
uLshaht privilege holders and roared
ueir protest, This Ia one cause Of the
U,'erness Of the struggle on the border.
mere are others.
Political conditions have much ( DO
Sth me trouble at Brownsville" said
%a''i-Gen. Funston, Further thin that
~ mead Of this army division. stationed
d, San Antonio and directly in charge
" lhe military operations along the
seat border. did not go. Here arc
'ohe Of the conditions on the Texas
.ne or the border which he might have
mentioned.
me vasi preponderance In numbers OF
hsh Of Mexican birth and sympathy.
~ Hapata county, Texas. there were Just
'ro officials a short time ago who could
speak English.
III Webb county n Mexican Sheriff.
VINO mad not taken out his second citi-
ashshlp papers but was considered
,"oush OF Il citizen to serve as delegate
" ue national convention ut Baltimore.
me permission under the Texas law
y. men qualifying al voters six months
s.pr making their declaration to DO.
.vme citizens. 1t In notorious that an
.normous percentage never takes the
second step.
me necessarily Lax customs inspection
s"r a border ~ long that II requires