The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-03-20
CARRANZA LET'S
MEXICO STAR We
TO SELL FOOD
Supplies Seized at Capital
Shipped Abroad. Wash
ingtOn Is Advised.
FIRST CHIEF MAY BE
PLANNING TO FLEE

wAsrtNGroN. March 10 -Govern-
ment officials we're startled tonight
when they were advised By official des-
patches tina, Gen. Carranza is selling
for gold in Europe large stores of food
supplies assembled at Vera ttu3 from
Mexico city and Other towns occupied
by his forces.
Whether this means that The First
Chief Is merely raising money to carry
on his military operations or ia contem'
plating seeking an asylum in some other
country is Il matter of speculation. II
will he recalled that when the food sup
ply was low In Mexico city IN the days
oil occupation by Carranza advices were
received here that supplies were taken
in La ge quantities to Vera cruz.
Il was ssumed at the time that the
First Chief was mobil zing supplies at
Vera cruz to strengthen his base at that
point. The official dispatches say that
ZOO stufs are being put aboatd ships
at Vera cruz destined for Europe to
he sold for gold.
At the same time il is known that
Mexico city is IN need OF food aud
that there is n shortage of supplies at
Yer cruz. due to the refusal of mer-
chants to give order owing 20 the
uncertainty OF p|oliti,al conditions
Needs Money for Troops.
The Constitutionalists' explanation OF
CsrItuza's action in sending foodstuns
abroad is that he needs money TO
further his military operations. Despite
tn.s the sales authorized by the First
thief have excited Il lively interest
Among o~ihclals, who anNiously await
further advices.
C~arranza's action presents the eS-
traordinaiN spectacle OF the head OF a
Government. whose people are starving.
selling food To warning Europe for money
with which to prosecute his own military
operations.
With villa. Carranzd and Obj egon and
some lesser lights in Mexico showing a
disposition to collect moneys in the re-
rions in which they are operating with
out regard to the rights Of foreigners,
another problem Is pressing for solution
by the United states in connection with
Mexican affairs,
II 5 known that the European Powers
viii not tolerate this nigh handed sys-
tom OF finance. NJ Mexico city and
again at Vera Cruz Carranza and
Dbregon made levies on foreigners and
on the church and des.sted only upon
The receipt of sharp representations from
The United states.
Al Monterey n few DAYS ago Gen.
villa decided to take moneys belonging
TO foreigners and It became known to-
day that earlier he tried a forced
loan on the residents of Guadalajara,
where Americans have large interests.
including a mine in which James w.
Gerard. American Ambassador to Ger.
many. has extensive holdings. \ pro-
lost went up At Guadalajara and villa
Withdrew his demand.
villa Has New Plan.
Nov i is learned thd; while Villa
may abandon the "holdup" methods OF
obtaining money. he plans to attain
the same results by different methods.
According 10 information received here
he intends to levy various forms of tax
alton "a sucn manner az not to leave
ground Tor complaint on &c part Of
foreigners. The tax viii be assessed
on all forms Of property Oh a percentage
basis
Villas attempt to rails" t-00.000 from
the foreigners and churches at Monterey
viii not be pressed. officials said to-day.
Special Agent Carothers already has
UCintcd out to the convention Ch eftain
that his demaals amount to extortipn.
lie has been advised that tho European
Powers will join the United States in
making protest.
Adv.ces received to-day ind.ca' e
hat the promised hattie aesr TImpiCo
soon Will be fought. \ detachment of
Villas frO.p. uylpr tna command ~ Gan
'haO has attacked Ebaro, u fortified
own controlled by C%arrauza. Villa
iroops are also reported TO have cap
turcd Victoria.
Assurances have been received from
both C%alranza and villa that they are
doing everything possibl" 20 protect
foreigners 10 the territory which tNoy
control. Rear Admiral Caperton, In COM
mdnd OF the squadron in Mexican I;uters,
icports that while conditions at Progreso
are serious he does not believe that II
viii he necessary to transfer the foreign
population to Vera CRUZ.
AJcicc, from Vera cruz dated yestsr-
day stated that a stroDg opposition force
In operating between Apizaco a Il Puebla
and that IL is reported that several Car
rama garrisons along the railroads have
been defeated.
Trouble has arisen between tho First
Chief and Gen. Gonzales. the local com
mandCr at Tanpico. over tho disposition
OF the revenues ~ that port. Gonzales
holds that the tax collections should be
used for local purposes, carrauzi has
issued orders that tho stamp tax OIL
petroleum be paid at Vera cruz instead
Of at Tampico as heretofore.
The state Department IL Informed
that reliable reports have been received
a Picdias Negras that Raol Madero
with 5000 villa reinforcement has ar.
we'd At Sabiuas and that these troops
WI garrison Piedras Negrds and sur
rounding country.