El Excelsior, one of the leading Mexico City newspapers:
"'San Luis Potosi, June 2 — A great affluence of beggars has been noted in different parts of the city for some days past, especially in the paseos and central streets. Passers-by are literally assaulted by these beggars — sometimes there are entire families of them — who appeal to the charity of the public. The sights presented by these persons, in addition to being repugnant, are highly immoral, as many of them, including men, women, and children, exhibit themselves in the public highways in a condition which lacks hut little of complete nakedness, often a serious danger to the public health on account of the filthy condition of the rags which but half cover them.'
"The Mexican army is Carranza's salvation and at the same time is his greatest danger. Estimates as to the actual force sunder arms vary from fifty to seventy-five thousand, the observer stating that the pay rolls probably show double the number given in their estimates. This army is the biggest drain on the Carranza treasury; it is keeping the federal government in a state of bankruptcy, and yet so widely spread are revolutionary activities in Mexico that the maintenance of such a force is necessary.
"The Carranza income is larger than that of the Diaz government and could he reduce army graft even fifty per cent, his problem of making the income meet disbursements would be comparatively easy.
"On June 18, 1918, El Universal published the following:
