The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1918-05-29
Americon and British Interests
Being Harrassed By
Carranza.
HOSTILITIES ARE
NOT IMPROBABLE.
German Agents Believed to
Have Carranza Government
Fooled Into Hun Victory
CBy George H. Manning-)

WASHINGTON, d. c., May 2s.-Believ
ing steadfastly to all appearances, In
the word OF the German agents that
Germany has practically got the war
won, President Carranza, at the urging
of the German Minister, Won Eckhardt
Is harra ssing American and British IN
terests in Mexico to a degree that may
bring about open hostilities at almost
any moment
The American and British interests
about Tampico, Mexico, have sgreen 20
a united policy TO resist the new tax
on the oil fields ordered by Carranza
at the behest of the German minister
which they allege is confiscatory.
This new tax is colleotable in addi-
tion to the production and export taxes
which are now paid. and the foreign
companies find II almost confiscation
of their properties.
Two hundred Americans. driven from
the oil fields where they have been at
work have arrived at Tampico and
taken refuge under the guns OF Amer
lean warships lying within range. Be
fore reaching Tampico they were rob
bed OF their belongings and threatened
with death.
Word may reach the United States
hundred American marines on the
American warships lying off Tampico
have landed and gone inland TO seize
the oil wells owned by Americans snd
English concerns. The continued oper-
alton of these oil wells and the expor-
tation OF the oil 10 America and Eng
land ia an important war necessity, be-
cause many OF the British warships
use oil exclusively as a motive power.
The Mexican oil is also used by the
allies in numerous other war activities
The American and British oil inter
ests, as a last resort, have made a
counter proposition TO Carranza regard
ing the next taxes. If he declines to
accept it they will refuse TO pay the
taxes, 1t Is said.
Quick action VIII lthen be necessary
by the American marines to seize the
oil wells in the vicinity OF Tampico be-
fore GarranZa's troops con do so. me
marines are rigft on the ground al
Tamplco prepared to make the seizure
before Carranza can act, or his agents
destroy the wells and cut off the Allies
fuel supply.
To some OF his friends aho have
pointed out his mistake in antagonizing
the American and British governments
-CarrGnza mas declared ne regards Ine
war as practically won by Germany,
nd believes implicitly in Germany's as
surances that Mexico will be aided Dy
the victorious German empire in re-
covering Texas and New Mexico from
the United States.
Almost the whole force OF the Amer
lean cavalry is concentrated along the
Mexican border and there are strong
infantry and artillery forces there
ready for an attack on Mexico at a.
moments notice.
On the Mexican side Carranza has
placed over 5000 troops along the bor-
der. These troops boast they are ready
TO fight with the Americans. They
have dug shallow trenches which would
last about hree minutes under Amerl-
can artillery fire.
The United States and Great Brit
ain obtain about 100000 barrels of
oil annually from Mexico since the
OF the war Germany is de-
termined to shut off this upply in some
manner and is using Csrranza, who ap-l
pears to be a most gullible person, as
a tool