Deluded Negroes

Washington, July 25.- Bad news has been received at the state department irora the colony of American negroes who went into Mexico gome time go aud settled on a trnct of land near Tlahualilo. A telegram has been reoeived at the department from United States Consul Sparks, at Peidras Negras, stating that the negroes are in a deplorable oondition. These emigrants were from the southern States of the United States, mostly from Alabama and the Carolinas, uuder moat alluring promises from the emigration agents of comfortable hotnea in Mexico, but from all accounts they have been 111treated and sufferod great hardshlpa trom the time of their arrival In that country. Consul Sparks says the negroes are acattered for miles along the railroad without f rienda, funds or food, living on mesquite beans and branch water. Consul Can Do Nothlug for Thenu The consul says he oan do nothing towards their reliaf, and he fears trouble becauae the nogroes are starving. The railroada offer to make liberal ratea to take tbem out of the country. The oonbuI reporta that he has received s telegram from Dr. L. H. Barry, at Torrean, Mexico, dated July 23, to the effect that 153 of the negroes from the colony were there in a destitute condltion, with fif teen cases of contagious disease among them. The Mexican pólice had prevented them from entering the town. A letter on the subject has alao been received at the state department from Representativo Bankhead, of Alabama, inquiring whether the government could assist in bringing back to their homes the members of this colony of colored citizens. üepartineufc Bas No Funds Available. The department has tried in every way to afford relief in this case, but it is wellaigh powerless, and it is probable that if the unfortunate negroes are to be saved trom starvation private aid must be extended to themimmediately. The consul at Piedras Negras has been instructed to render any assistance which he can properly extend and to report any serious developments. Our charge at the City of Mexico has also been informed of the state of affaire as reported by the consul, and instruoted to inquire into the treatment of the colonista. The department of state has no funds whioh can be applied to maintaining destituís Amoricuns other than seamen in foreign coun tries, or to provide for their transportaron home, and has been obliged to so inform the consul and all those persons who have made inquirios concerning these colonists.