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16
MEXICO UNDER CARRANZA

plies are improperly sequestered? May a Major Chief of the Line, or a General Chief of Garrison, dispose of private property without the owner having the right to protest?"

It will be noted that the editor who thus complains of having been robbed by the military authorities at Vera Cruz of his 1 15 rolls of paper does not say that he recovered his property or that any one was punished for the theft.

I have a friend who, for many years before the Carranza party came into power, was engaged in a business enterprise in the City of Mexico for which he imported supplies in carload lots through Vera Cruz. The business which he conducted was one of considerable advantage to the city and to the Mexican people.

Some time ago I met this friend in this country where he is now making his home. He said, and his high character guarantees the truthfulness of his statement, that shortly after the Carranza party secured control of the line of railway between Vera Cruz and the City of Mexico, he was required by the management to pay $300 per car, in addition to the regular freight rate, before he could secure delivery of his freight. After his cars started from Vera Cruz they would disappear somewhere on the line and, before he could get them delivered, he would be forced to pay the