RUSH FROM MEXICAN OILFIELDS.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 23 March 1938, Page 5

RUSH FROM MEXICAN OILFIELDS.

BRITISH AND AMERICAN SUBJECTS. TINANCIAL CHAOS IN MEXICO .{By Telegraph-Press Assn.-Copyright) MEXICO CITY, March 22. Fifty-four British subjects and 35 Americans connected with the oil business are rushing out from the lonely isthmus of Teliuantepec, Southern Mexico, aue to threats against their lives. The first 'planeload of British xefugees has arrived,, while three othur 'planeloads are on their way. Unlike the American companies, which generally took precautionary measures last week, the British let't their supervisors and otner officials on the fields due" to the expectation of a settlement of the wage difficulties. A shipload of men., women and children from the British Mexican Eagle*. refineries at Minatitian and kk-eriearby oilfield are sailing from Puergo, Mexico, having abandoned their household goods and personal effects. Some of ,the women from the British fields have arrived at Vera Crux, where they are under the care of the British Consul. Meanwhile Mexican business is crippled as the result of fluctuations oi the peso. Merchants are trying to restrict sales until they could see a point at which the peso womd bo de-value<». It is reported that the p?so would be left free for three days to permit . it to find its level, after which the Bank of Mexico would probably take steps to support the currency. The dollar is quoted at 450 to 500 compared with the former fixed rate of 360. A queue of 500 persons formed in front of the Bank of Mexico before opening in order to exchange bills for silver. Many others foijowed suit during the day. A New York message says oil exeeu- j tives said Mexican union officials seized the homes of foreign employees and .threatened violence unless they departed immediately. A It is estimated that -2000 American and British citizens are already on their way out of Mexico.