The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1917-11-17

expected.
In Chihuahua and Durango, the
principal mining states of the repub-
lie, few -foreign-owned mines are
operating, and the great Chihuahua
| smelters of the ~Guggenheims still Is
idle, officials of that company saying
there is no present intention of re-
opening the plant, which normally
gives employment to 5000 men in smell
ter and mines.
Villas Haunt Still Cut Off.
Durango, where is Francisco Villa
the bandit leader, with the remnant OF
| his forces, still Is closed to either for
eign or native efforts at restoration.
Although believed to have but a few
men left, Villa still is feared and his
presence in the mountains of Durango,
where raids upon villages, ranches and
mines are being made, makes Ameri-
cans chary of returning there, and ma
tive Mexicans, except those enjoying
immunity through former afiliation,
continue to give Villa and his men .
wide berth.
In border Mexican cities fiestas and
public entertainments of various kinds,
with gambling as a leading attraction.
are being given to raise money for the
government. Already Chihuahua City
has contributed nearly one hundred
thousand pesos in this way, and Juarez
In n kermess gathered in 25,0O0
pesos, mostly from Americans who
went there from Ell Paso to participate
In the festivities and contribute to the
gambling profits. Another kermess is
planned in Juarez which is expected
to increase by $4,000 pesos the popular
fund. Invitations to this kermess say
Bring Your Money With YOU" and
there Is no attempt to hide the pur-
pose, which is to get all the American
money that possibly can be gathered
| in.
Hunger Tames RevoIutionists.
There is no element of humor In
Mexico's efforts to drag itself from
the state of helplessness which revo-
luton and banditry have cast the
country into. Hunger stalks through
out the land and the efforts of the peo-
pie to win back prosperity is pitiful.
All the fight has been driven from the
masses. Americans returning from
former seats of revolutionary activity
say the spirit of the people is broken
and no man could start a revolution.
The people are hungry and crave only
food. German agents who have per-
| sistently tried to arouse feeling against
the United States find hat the Mexi-
cans will accept their money and spend
it, but that there is no inclination
among them to resume a hostile atti-
tude. Only from Americans can Next
cans hope for aid now, and they freely
admit that they have no feeling against
"Gringoes."
! From reports reaching border Amer
lean towns it is learned that agricul-
tural activity gradually is being re-
sumed throughout central Mexico, and
with good seasons there is promise of
food crops sufficient to relieve press
ing hunger. With corn and beans
available, Americans believe the Mexi-
cans will make peter progress toward
a return to normal conditions. The
passing of banditry also is regarded
as a hopeful sign.
Skeptical About carranza Rule.
Neither Mexicans, as a whole, nor
| foreigners look upon the present Car
rama government as the kind needed
in Mexico now, but it is better than the
lack of any government, and there APP
pears a disposition among most Next
cans to give what aid they can to the
government in it's efforts to save the
country from total ruin. The Carranza
effort to raise 150,000,0 900 pesos by pop
| ular subscriptions is regarded gener-
ally as a failure from the start, but
it is appealing to the patriotism of the
influence, which later may prove a d.
rect and material blessing.
One of the hopeful signs in northern
Mexico is the attention being given by
the government to restoring the prin-
cipal highways connecting the cities.
With little money available, the work
is difficult, but already eleven high
ways have undergone Improvement,
which makes them at least capable of
bearing traffic. Railroad service also
Is being restored in a measure, but
the wrecked condition of practically
every railroad in the republic makes
the service uncertain and meager.
Restoration of telegraph lines is under
way, but it, too, is handicapped by the
lack of funds with which to obtain ma
terial and pay workmen.
Largest Mines Remain Idle.
Summed up, Americans interested in
Mexico say the country, while in bet
ter shape as regards the safety of for
eigners, Is not a good place yet for