New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1915-03-16
FOOD SUPPLY SHORT
AT MANzAN|LLO
Conditions There 'UnbtaIab't, !"
SAYS British Consul.

government representatives in Wash
ington who have looked to the United
States for the safety of their country
men in Mexico. were keenly interested
today in the outcome of vigorous steps
taken by the American government
for the protection of foreign interests
in the southern republic. Some saw
in the latest American move a change
in the administrations Mexican policy
and believe the United States would
insist on greater consideration of
foreign interests by the Mexican fac
tons.
Although conditions in east coast
territory controlled by CarranZa were
considered improved as result OF
representations to the first chief, al
fairs at the west coast port of Man
zanillo Villa caused some concern. An
American warship, however, has ar
rived there ready to give aid to for
elgners in case they are threatened.
Before the arrival of the American
ship the British consul at Manzanillo
had applied to the British embassy
here for a British man-of-war, but
with the arrival Of the American ship,
1T was not believed the despatch of
British ships would be necessary.
Foreigners Reported Apprehensive.
Foreigners at Mama milo are re-
ported apprehensive because the Car
rama authorities have copfiscated
property and because the food supply
is running short. The British consul
described conditions as "unbearable.
Ihat many American citizens con-
tinue to arrive at Tampico, Mexico,
despite the seriousness of the political
situation there, and in the face Of
the fact that at least a thousand un-
employed Americans have recently
returned to the United States, is the
burden of reports to the state depart
ment. They show that about fifty
Americans, mostly the wives of bus
mess men in Tampico, arrived there
recently.
Flour Mill Confscated.
The advices also said the flour mill
at Tampico formerly owned by the
Nader family was confiscated re-
Gently and there were no broad sup
plies because there was no wheat to
be had.
Refuse American Proposals.
London, March 16--The British
foreign Office delivered yesterday to
Ambassador Page it's reply to the
American note proposing to Great
Britain and Germany the withdrawal
of the German submarine blockade
provided England would permit food
to reach German civilians, Great Brit
aims reply is an absolute refusal
The foreign office also delivered to
the ambassador Great Britatn's reply
to the American note inquiring for
he ,F<,,
measures to be taken by the allied
powers to cut off trade to and from
Germany. The reply to this note Is
based largely upon the order-in-
council which was issued yesterday.
Great Britain's refusal to accept the
American proposals to this country
and Germany is due to the reasons
outlined several days ago.
British Call 1t a Blockade"
The retaliation proclamation issued
yesterday. as in the case of premier's
speech, does not use the term block
ade," and no prohibited area is de-
fined. Nevertheless the text of the
order makes plain England's purposes
Ito prevent commodities of any kind
from reaching or leaving Germany
during the war.
British officials last night frankly
called the movement a blockade, the
foreign office describing it as an eff
fective blockade, differing from the
effective blockade of history only in
that the property seized will not be
confiscated outright, but be sold, the
proceeds eventually going to the own
ers.
Reprisa1 Against Germans.
In the last clause of the proclama-
ton is the proposal most interesting
to neutrals. This is a fiat agree
ment to lift the blockade" in case
any nation will certify that the ships
flying it's flag shall not carry goods
to Germany, or originating therein
or belonging to subjects Of the Ger
man Empire.
1t is nota BILE that the order declares
no intention to capture ships pro-
ceeding to and from the countries Of
Germany's allies, Austria and Tur-
key, the reason being, no doubt, that
the measure is avowedly a reprisal
against the German submarine war
fare. However, a Gordon of ships
will be maintained to shut off the
commerce of German ports and reg
ulate trade in the war zone, although
ships voyagng eastward across the
Atlantic will, it is expected, be seized
before they reach the North Sea-