Norwich bulletin., 1915-03-04
Protest Sent to
 General Carranza
AGAINST "INCENDIARY" STATE
 MENTS OF GEN. OBREGoN,
IN THE MEXICAN CAPITAL
Regarding the Food Situation There Present DeplorabIe Conditions Were
 Brought About by Transporting to Vera Cruz Food Supplies of Capital.

Washington, March 3.-The state de- partment today protested to General Carranaz against alleged "incendiary statements made in Mexico City by General Obregon regarding the food situation there. Although Obregon made public announcement that he would withdraw his troops at the first signs of hunger riots, state depart ment advices today said he had de- cllned aid from an international relief committee.
 Mexico City isolated.
 The situation in Mexico City is at trlbuted to the closing of government offices, the suspension of industry, the isolation af the capital from the out lying country and the sending of food supplies to Vera Cruz.
 State department representatives were summarized in this announce ment:
 The department is advised that on March the press of Mexico City published another statement from Gen eral Obregon as follows:
 At the first attempt at riot I will leave the city at the head of my troops in order that they may not fire a single shot against the hungry multitude as the merchants did not accept the invi- tatlon which was made to them to as- slst the people and prevent violence. Turned Down Relief Committees Re-
 quest.
 This statement appears to be com- pletely at variance with the depart ment's advices from Mexico City con- corning the relief work recently insti- tuted. It is stated that the national relief committee has taken up the work with considerable energy and that it has met with hearty response on the part of the foreigners in general. Two banks alone have subscribed 125000 pesos. The press of Mexico City states that on March 1 a member of the re- lief committee approached Obregon to ask that certain facilities be given the committee in the way of railroad transportation to bring in the much needed staple articles, and his answer was that the Mexican people did not require any help from foreigners and consequently the committees reqnes4 was turned down.
 Cause of Present Conditions.
 Tt is reported that as far as can De Judged the present conditions in Mex1co City have been brought about by the closing of all government of fees, shutting down of public works, cutting off railway traffic in all direc- IonS( which prevented the bringing in of supplies needed by factories which have laid off all their mem, by not let ting staple articles find their way into the city and, finally, by the transporta- ton to Vera Cruz of the food supplies of Mexico City.
 "The department has given instruc- tions that the attention of General CarranZa be called to the seriousness of having sucn incendiary statements as the one quoted appearing in the press.''
 Port of Progreso Closed to Commerce.
 Despite the sinking of the gunboat Progreso, which was blockading the port of Progreso and enforcing the embargo placed by Carranza on the exportation on sisal fibre and other products, the state department was informed today that the port was still closed to commerce.
 No Reply from Consul SilIiman.
 No reply has yet been received from Consul Silliman at Vera Cruz as to the representations protesting against the embargo laid by Carranza several days ago.