The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1919-07-31

need of ammunition and other war ma
terials. Despite this handicap, how
ever, the Felicistas, as the Diaz reb-
els are known, continue to be a force,
and all the efforts of Carranza to
break up the organization have failed.
The Felicistas are operating in the
state of Tamaulipas in the north and
in part of Hidalgo, Puebla, and Vera
Cruz in the south. The southern Fee
licista area forms the center link in
the rebel ocean barrier.
The state of Morelos and small parts
of the states of Mexico and Guerrero
form the area in which the famous
Zapatistas are and have been Operat-
ing for the last seven years. AS
for Cantu, in Lower California, the
situation there can be dismissed with
word Cantu is in absolute control
Of that part of Mexico, and Carranza
is making no effort to interfere with
the Independent state that Cantu has
| set up.
j SmuggIe Arms In.
The seventh Of Carranza's troubles
are the Yaquis Of western Sonora.
They are operating In bandit groups
and number probably several thousand.
Like the Villistas, they are armed and
equipped by smuggling from the United
| States. The Yaquis are among the
hardest and best fighters in Mexico,
and little if any effort is being made
by the federal government to restore
order in that part Of Sonora under
their domination.
Lastly, the bandits. Official reports
prove that everywhere in Mexico the
outlaw bands are to be found. Their
number is unknown, but they are
powerful enough to hold the attention
of considerable part Of Carranza's
Lard-pressed little regular army Of co.
| 600 men.
Briefly, what precedes gives the line
up of the factions that are fighting
for control Of Mexico,
Here are some Of the facts, officially
established, that have resulted from
the countrywide internecine strife in
Mexico.
Economically Mexico is in the midst
of crisis which is characterized by
the intense poverty and the actual want
of the great mass of the people. The
morale of the population everywhere
was never lower than at the present
time. The general health of the peo-
pie is everywhere bad. Cattle raising,
the principal industry of the nation, Is
today only about ten per cent Of what
1t was in 1914. OF all Mexican in
dustries, the growing of henequin alone
shows progress. All textile factories
and sugar mills, with few exceptions,
are out Of business and those that are
operating are run down and in need Of
repair. Practically all of the coun-
try's 10000 miles Of railroads are de-
moralized or destroyed as result OF
rebel and bandit activity. Not cent
Of interest has been paid on the ma
tional foreign debt in more than five
years.
More than rs per cent of the popu.
lation is now absolutely illiterate. The
national credit Is gone, and the for
eign oil interests are, despite the ap-
parent friendly attitude of PelaeZ,
menaced. AS an indication of the
health of the people, latest reports es-
innate the yearly death rate in Mexico
City is $1,000, while the reported birth
rate is only $500. 1t is believed, how
ever, that correct census would show
Il ,s,,&1 - 81
estimate is official.
At the present time all reliable re-
ports coming out Of Mexico indicate
the precarious condition of the Carran.
ze government. Carranza has been
during the past three years probably
the most pro-German head of a state
in the western hemisphere.
Openly Prc-German.
Until recently his attitude has been
unfriendly to the United States, and
when he thought Germany was win
ming he made no efforts t, conceal his
sympathy for the TeutoAs. Legisla-
Ntion that was passed during the war
and which was directed against the
allied oil holdings in the Tanpico coun-
try is generally believed. in private as
well as official circles, to have been
inspired by German interes.s and rep
resentatives in Mexico. Protests against
this legislation have been fled by the
American, British and Fren,h govern
ments.
Since he developed his anti American
attitude Carranza has fafned his
supporters with the sloganNcf Latin
American Solidarity" against the great
northern republic, and today the most
generally developed trait 1T the ma
inritv of Mexicans In federal controlled