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Page:Mexico's dilemma.djvu/139

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THE LAST SPY OFFENSIVE
115

ment. President Carranza addressed an autograph letter to President Wilson, notifying him officially of his selection as President of Mexico at the last election; and on August thirty-first, 1917, Mr. Wilson, without consulting his Cabinet, extended our official recognition to the present Mexican Government.

In Tampico the labour difficulties have increased; and General Carranza has sent two hundred soldiers to the city to maintain order, while a number of Mexicans have written to the United States Consulate asking that American marines be landed to protect the city at night. In these letters the Mexicans declared that it was unsafe to go on the street after dark in some neighbourhoods, and they requested American intervention.

Food and money continue to become scarcer throughout Mexico, despite the official announcements. In October, 1917, the Federal Government notified the governor of the state of Nuevo Leon that hereafter the Central Federal Treasury would be unable to give to the state that portion of the federal taxes which had previously been sent there. The governor was notified that he would have to raise money for the state government as best he could.

In the warehouses of Monterey there were in August, 1917, over forty thousand hides ready for exportation; but they could not be shipped because the Mexican Government demanded that the duty be paid in gold, and it was impossible for