The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1861-10-25
The Mexican Question.

The belief in England certainly is that
there Is to be presently a joint expedition
against Mexico by the ships Of England,
France and Spain. The London Times
says, 1T is said that the American Presi.
den. has given his consent to the meas
ure." This probably meas, if it has any
foundation in truth, that the European
powers propose to take no active steps
without the approval and aid of the Uni
ted States government
There are some singular points abont
THE new movement. The ostensible OBJ
ject for which England, France and Spain
unite IN an expensive expedition is the
collection of certain debts due from the
Mexican government to their subjects. -
80 far as can be discovered, the motion for
intervention did not originate with Eng
land; and even the English papers own
that Spain is likely to reap the greatest
advantage from the movement, it being
thought not improbable that the powers
will endeavor to place the Spanish govern
ment in possession again Of its ancient
colony.
Now, the foreign deb! of Mexico
amounts to the sum between eighty and
ninety. million dollars, Of which three.
fourths is said to be due TO British sub
jects, namely, forty five millions of princi-
pal and ten millions of unpaid interest,
making id all sixty millions. American
citizens have claims against Mexico for
about ten millions more; and the claims
Of French and Sanisn citizens against the
government are but trifing. The French
claims we have heard stated at less than
four hundred thousand dollars 1t is made
to appear therefrom that Spain and France
are actually out of mere charity helping
England to collect certain sums due to her
subjects Few will believe that the French
Emperor will 90 the expense of naval
expedition for the sole benft Of English
men; and it is scarcely probable that Spain
would lend herself to sucl an object, es-
pecjally when we remember that the pre-
cclent Of forcibe collections thus set
might easily be turned BY England against
he Sanish Government, which is almost as
aope.essly indebted to confding Eng
lishmen As Mexico herself
The total debt Of Mexico, foreign and
and eighteen millions. The annual in
come amounts to fifteen millions; but of
this the revenue from exports aud imports
is estimated at less than four millions
If this revenue is appropriated BY any for
eign powers, OF course our government
will take care that our own citizens receive
their proper share of the proceeds. In
an execution Of this kind, all the creditors
will expect TO share,
a for the Mexican government itself
its expenses were, in 1853, nearly twenty
five millions, and of course greatly in ex
cess Of its total Income. To take from
1t part of this already deficient revenue
seems like reducing it to more hopeless
bankruptcy than ever
III, therefore, there is European interven-
tion,we need scarcely to expect it to stop
at the sep now announced. The fact is
that the movement will be begun, if at ali, /
with no very accurate idea of where it may
end. An English paper speaks of a strong
body Of Spanish infantry to be sent with
the ships, and that looks to interior opera.
tons and the Spanish papers show that
the livel:est interest is felt in that country
in ''the expedition to Vera Cruz"
We have no doubt that our own govern
ment will take care that our own great
interests in Mexico, present and future,
are not imperiled by the action of Euro>
'pean powers; and for the rest, anything
which will bring stability to Mexican af-
fairs, give peace to the people, and secure
them liberal government, strong enough
to put down the disorganzers, maintain
quiet, introduce certain much needed re-
forms, and revive the languishing industry
and commerce Of that rich region Will
benefit US no less than the Mexicans-
and if we use our opportunities wisely, and |.
guard against European assumptions, must
profit ourselves much more than any of
the three intervening powers.-Erening
Post.