The New York herald., 1870-11-25
MEXICO.
The Free Zone Question Before
the Mexican Congress.
The Vote on the Subject-Opponents Of the
Smuggling Privilege-Romsro's Speech in
Favor Of Abolishing the Zone-M. Guz-
mans Advocacy Of the Scheme.

Favor OF Abolishing the Zone-M. Guz-
mans Advocacy Of the Scheme.
On the 5th OF this month the Congress OF Mexico
passed the law not only continuing the ..free zonen
within the limits 1t has already occupied, but ex-
tending 1t to Lampazos and Cerraoo, two Interior
towns IN the State OF Nuevo Leon. The nfty- third
article in the new tariff bill under discussion au-
thorlzes what Is known free zone by the read
ing public the text OF which, 1t has just passed
the Congress Of Mexico, by q vote or eighty-ave to
rhirty-seven Is as follOws:-
ARTICLE So. Foreign goods destined for consump-
ton in the following cities-Matamoros, Reynosa,
Camargo, Mia Guerrero. Monterey, Laredo, In Ia
mauipas, in the district OF Rio Grande, IN Coahuila
del Norte and Paso del Norte, in Chihuahua-snai
be rree from all duties except municipal
The greater portion OF three days was occupied
by Mr.. Romero. Secretary Of the Treasury, in COM
batting the bin and attempting to secure its abol-
ishmen but In vain for although aided by Congress-
men Cahedo and Obugon. the opposition to these
deputies was too strong, and q vote OF eghty-hye
to thirty-seven was rolled up without much appa-
rent effort. Mr.. Emilio velasco, from the Rio
Grandc, the special champion Its continuance,
and the smuggling interests Of other towns further
In the interior, have become so powerful that
the same vote extended the "zonen into Neuvo
Leon. 1t is understood here that Mr. Veasco repre-
senrs especially the merchants on the border. 1t
must be understood, however that the bill, although
passing Congress with the blowing OF trumpets, Is
not yet law, as according to the constitution of
Mexico 1t must be sent the Executive for his ap-
prova or dissent, who may do so any time early or
late IN the sessions and should he be inclined
1t by objecting to it as whole By simply making
amendatory observations, vote OF two-thirds OF
the Assembly will be required to pass finally and
effectively. However, unless some members change
their votes such a two-thirds vote Is committed
to or pass the bill. The speeches OF Mr. Romero
Mr.. velasco and Mr.. Guzman are so extended that
yeu can hardly devote your columns during these
European war times to more than a few extracts
from them, which will perhaps give index OF
the animus which prevailed during the discussion
OF this subject 1t has been noted that Mr. Lerdo de
Tejada. the eminent Secretary OF State and Minister
OF Foreign Relations Of the republic voted in favor
OF the extension Of the zone. General Porfrio Diaz
was absent from the hall when the vote was cast,
ana, therefore, did not commit himself. General
Zerga voted for Its extension. For its abolishment
among the thlrty-seven are found Generals Garcia,
Ortega, brother OF Gonzales Macin, Henry Mejia,
Obregon. Valarte, ex-Mlnister OF Gubernacion, and
Santaclla, son.in-law OF President Juarez. We are
sure to have another discussion on the bill when the
same shall be returned by the Executive.
follows to Mr. Guzman, who favored the continu-
ance and extension Of the ''free Zone'':--
Another mistake which the orator TO whom I
refer incurred the assertion that the government
OF the United States socied by the urgency Of the
usurpers Mlramon and Maximilian, the abolition OF
the free zone Continuing his design OF making
Congress believe that the opinion OF the Executive
opposed the free zone because OF his condescenssn
to the Cabinet OF Washington he makes the con-
duct OF these pretended governments to ap.
pear as II IL were the conduct oil the present
i
believes what no has lod US aud II he should be-
ieve II ne thus maniiests with now mucn readiness
| probable rumors, and with what frankness he pre-
| tends TO make a communication of his mistakes to
| this Congress. The government OF the United
| States could not solicit from Mlramon or Maxi
MILAN either the suppression OF the free zone
it never had relations with them. 1t is true
thar Mr.. Forsyth Minister OF the United States
| as President OF the Mexican republics but it
is also true thar he did SO witnout instruc-
| he had to suspend his relations with said admins
| tion OF Mi. Felix Zuloaga before Miguel Miramon
dent Of The republic, then established in Vera Cruz.
and maintained relations with 1t until the end OF the
war Of reform. All the world knows-and 1t Is
prsng to find that there may still be those who
ignorant-that the government OF the United States
| never recognized the Intervention or the so-caed
empire, or had relations Of any kind with the
| other. 1t Is not comprehended, then, how 1t may
have manifested its wishes in respect to the free zone
| to the reactionary party or TO the Intervention.
/ Persons who may not be acquainted with the rules
1ngton can say that In one or the other case, II
/ manifested its wishes by means OF confidential
agents. but by this they will only show their abso-
lutte ignorance OF tho usageS established by the gov
ernmenr OF the United States Moreover. even sup.
| posing that really there should have been some
to those usurpers, the existence OF the Free Zone
/ might be explained by the simple reason that the
and 1t would be bad to egislate for territory which
| IT never possessed; and, although the empire held
Matamoros ana sometimes an tne frontier, It's
| more, neither one nor the other order OF things
had ever the necessary tranquility to occupy itself
i and reforms which the public administration re-
quired; was 1t probable that they should intend
| to suppress the free zone, even should they moi
| think it convenient knowing that with the sup
preston Of the free they might incur decided
hostiIlty from the towns which enjoyed that privi
to cause the wish Of the whole nation TO submit Max
imilian would probably have abolished the free
\ ton OF the United States. Persons whs may have
known the interest which he had In the recognition
| Will not doubt the correctness OF this assertion.
| With reference single paragraph ia the above
| extract from Mr. Romero's speech your correspon
dent remembers that the recognition Of Zuloaga By
Minister Forsyth was fully approved by the govern
ment OF the United States whose instructions to Mr.
Forsyth were OF such nature as to require HIM tc
use his own Judgment upon the question at that
time so often arising to which was the legitimate
and de Jacto government OF Mexico.
The efforts Of Mr. Romero to secure the abolish.
ment OF the zone have been earnest and distn-
guished ana, although not possessed Of fiery elo
quence Mr.. Romero has acquitted himself on this
subject before the Congressional body with creut
and honor. o@
Mr.. Guzman, In favor Of the extension Of the
"zone,n thought proper to make long speeches,
from which the following is an extract =
Ihaye said the Executive because in his name the
Minister OF Hacienda has addressed us: but may
be permitted TO take exception TO this, noting that
the present President or the republic remains IN
mower the same time that he uphods the law OF the
free zone; that by establishing the constitutional
order that law has been ratified by the Congress OF
1861 without any observations on the part OK the
iicr