The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-06-21
The Crisis In Mexico.


bonds to keep the peaces Who can tell?
The Crisis In Mexico.
The last accounts from Mexico throw more
light on the new and remarkable position Of that
of Europe. 1t is believed in Mexico that both
France and England are actively engaged in the
support of Spain; and that the demands which have
been made on the Mexican Treasury are mere
pretext set up in order to attain Interior objects
with regard to Mexico-their objects being no
thing less than European re-conquest Of Mexico
and Central America, as counter-check to the
expansion Of the United States.
We are aware that several consultations have
been held of late, both at st. Cloud and Paris on
the subject Of Spanish affairs, in connection with
Cuba and Mexico. The sudden declaration Of
war by Spain, and the departure OF the Spanish
feet for the Mexican coast, naturally took people
by surprise in England and in some other coun-
tries; they do not seem to understand the saga
cious and far-seeing policy Of Louis Napoleon, as
the arbiter of the Old and the New World. Yet
it is well known that former French Minister of
Foreign Affairs, under the empire, confessed to
the United States Minister that the United States
were more to be feared in peace than in war
their moral influence and example being fatal to
the hereditary and dynastic principles in Europe.
The same view was expressed by the French
Minister of War, who babe adieu to our Military
Commission at Paris with the words-"Au reror,
till we meet at the lannon's mouth" The fact
is the idea that the United States to be feared
and as a consequence to be put down if possible,
appears to be thoroughly impressed on the mind
Of every person connected with the imperial go
vernment.
On the other hand, the question about which
the trouble has arisen-a disputed account for
some five millions or less-is surely not one upon
which great war would be undertaken. SPANS
allies would hardly allow her to disturb the
peace of the world, just at this moment, when the
world needs peace SO much, for beggarly FIVE
millions of dollars, unless they had Interior and
higher objects in view.
Again, it is possible that the Spanish govern
ment has been hurried into its present position
as much by the consequences Of the late mea-
sures Of the Mexican government in relation to
the church, as from any foregone conclusion.
The public is doubtless aware that the Mexican
clergy have weathered all the storms which have
overthrown and impoverished their European
brethren; that they have never been so rich as
they are now. In the recent work of NJ Lerdo
de Tejada, published this year, the revenues Of
the clergy are estimated at more than s20,OO0,-
600 year; their gross property at $500. 100000.
The whole of this is divided among less than
5000 persons; SO that every priest, nun, monk,
or other ecclesiastic may be said to own property
in virtue of his Office, to value exceeding
100000. On the other hand, the deficit in the
State revenues, which was only four millions q
few years ago. has now swelled to nine. Under
these circumstances, one of the earliest measures
which engaged the attention Of the Comonfort
government was plan Of reform in relation to
certain monopolies held by the clergy. The mea-
sures were resisted, by violence, near Puebla.
The government being firm, however, it is not
unlikely that the Mexican priests may have
sought aid in Europe, and obtained favorable
hearing as well at Rome as at Madrid and at
Paris
At all events, every movement Of the fleets,
and every circumstance relating to them, indicate
common purpose on the part Of powers stronger
than Spain to bring about a coup dttat, both in
Mexico and Central America. Such is the opinion
of all the leading men in Mexico they all trace
the movement Of the feet to the handiwork Of
Louis Napoleon. In the event Of such scheme
being really planned, it would be very easy in
deed to bring about general war. And it
would be well for the administration to lose no
time in giving attention to the state Of things in
the South, and to consider what would he ex-
pected Of them in the event of a revival Of the
old project Of the re-conquest Of Mexico and Cen
trail America by Louis Napoleon, and the party
in Europe that is opposed to the progress Of re-
publican principles