South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-07-07
AGENTS DECLARE
REPORT Of RED
CROSS IS WRONG
Deny That Conditions in Mex
leo Are True as Asserted by
News From 0ffiClaIS-Wom-
en- and Children Die in Riot.

WASHINGTON, July 7.-Strong is
sue was taken by the cOnstitutiOnalist
agency here with the official reports
of the agents of the state department
and American Red Cross detailing
"pitiful conditions" in Mexico and
painting a gloomy outlook as to the
early prospects OF getting aid to the
starving people and bringing peace TO
the republic.
The agency issued a statement de-
Claring the first authentic statement
of the food stuff situation in Mexico"
received in Washington since the ar
rival in Vera Cruz of Red Cross Agent
O'COnnOr. showed that IF he Cocoon
nor) expected TO find the highways
and byways of Mexico lined with
starving citizens and famine stalking
rampant throughout the republic he
met a rude shock"
Mr.. O'COnnOr discovered that the
immediate need to the thousands had
been flagrantly enlarged" 1t added
Also he was made acquainted with
the fact that the allegations that
Mexican food depots were bursting
with undistributed provender held by
the military authorities were likewise
untrue. He discovered that the sup
Iplies of grain and other food had not
been appropriated by the military
commanders at the expense of the
populace."
Ii is argued that O'COnnor went to
Mexico empty handed whereas if
the Red Cross had been satisfied of
the accuracy Of their famine reports.
Mr.. O'Connor would have been accom-
panied by relief expeditions
This statement failed 10 change the
belief i'm official circles that the Off
Cial government reports would serve
e . 81,
factions To comply with Pres't VIII
sons demands.
The ccnccnsus was. however. that
nothing would be done until the pres
ident returns from his vacation at
Cornish He is understood to have
been acquainted with the conclusions
reached by the Red Cross authorities
that relief cannot be given 10 the
starving until the lighting has stopped.
and is trying 10 determine the best
means Of remedying the situation
Reports of Villa victories and re-
newed attacks of the CarranzaiStas in
Mexico Citv have convinced officials
that there is small chance Of an early
peace agreement and little was eX-
pected from the conference Of Villa
| officials here.
NENICO CITY. July TERROR and
anxiety which has gripped this city
acutely for the past few days reached
its climax Tuesday when troop OF
/ soldiers seeking to quell a rising food
riot. fired low into a dense thrOng OF
people waiting for their allowance OF
cereal. and killed a number of women
and children
At the Red Cross first aid booths
/ $50 women and children were treated
/ for gunshOt wounds and for injuries
| they received in the crush OF 30,000
people which gathered in front Of the
international relief committees ware
| houses 20 receive their share of the
six loads OF corn that was distributed
Local authorities find themselves com
pletely incapacitated for anne liorating
the grave situation arising from the
dearth of food. The corn distributed
today was purchased by foreigners.
Police il Useless
Police protection within the city las
utterly collapsed. as was illustrated
Yesterday when r W p Thurston.
British consul general here. was near
Is forced at rifle points. to aid in a
Jail delivery.
The consul-general was taking his
morning automobile ride wher he was
stopped by two Of Zapata's soldiers.
They climbed into his car. ordering