The New York herald., 1871-12-04
NJ E X G O.
Probable Interruption Of Friendly
Relations.
The Presidents Message on Our Sister
Republic.
THE FREE ZoN NE.
Smuggling Across the Rio
Grande.
Decay Of Texan Commercial
Towns.
FEELING on fAE SOUTHERN BORDER
Recti1lcatiOn Of the Frontier
Necessary.
THE FIGHTING IN TAMAULIPAS.
The Line Of the Sierra Madre
Required.
FEIlING on fHE SOUTHERN BORDER
RectillcatiOn Of the Frontier
Necessary.
THE FIGHTING IN TAMAULIPAS.
The Line Of the Sierra Madre
Required.

Required.
About month tnca the condition Of affairs along
- Rio Grande was the subject OF discussion at
special meeting OF the Cnbinet held at
Warrington. Tho matters considered were
Il serious importance, ana, according to
lAe published reports, involved the question
sf peace or war with Mexico. For over thirteen
years the Mexican government has maintained
system ON its northern border by which
immense quantities Of foreign merchandise
have been smugged into the United States,
and all efforts at having 1t discontinued
have proved fruitless. The Juarez government has
done all In Its power to comply with our reasonable
demands. but 1t has been powerless. The Congress
Of the republic has refused to listen to argument
common sense. The present ruler Of Mexico has
been deserted BY many Of his supporters, who are
engaged In some new struggle, throwing Mexico
snce more into q condition OF chaos from which
national dlslntegratton seems inevitable Our un-
fortunate ana distracted neighbor mas frontier
running about one thousand miles conterminous
WITH our own, and only separated from us BY the
Rio 0rande part Of the distance and by an imag-
inary line along the other part.
THH IONA LIBRB.
Seine time IN the year 1868 the Governor OF Ia
Daulipas issued decree authorizing the merchants
and citizens inhabiting the strip OF territory extend
ing from the mouth Of the Rio Grande to its furthest
boundary, and from the river inland for two leagues
20 Introduce free Of duty, foreign merchandise Of
III GLASSES. This Is known a. the coma liore (ree
0eitl and the decree Of the Governor in opera
ton for three years before ratified by the general
government. Il is in full force at this time not
witbstanding the protests OF several seaport
cities that 1t Is partial and unjust. The
government at the time was not able to
refuse the request Of the frontier for the Inhabitants
had just put down Carvajal and other raiders. The
e0ect has been most disastrous TO Texan towns as
we'll as to the revenue Of the United States. No
argument Is required to prove this nor Is any
needed to show that millions Of dollars Of contra
band goods are being continually conveyed to the
American side Of the Rio Grande. The induce
menus, which are irresistible, to purchase
liquors, silks and foreign merchandise In
Aatamoros at very small advance over the
foreign cost are avalled OF to introduce them
into the United States at some point on an
extended frontier OF over nine hundred miles. This
cannot be prevented Prior to the existence Of this
decree the amount Of merchandise In the bonded
warehouses Of Brazos de Santiago and Brownsville
ranged from two to three million dolars but since
shat period the trade has dwindled to such point
that the Custom House there instead OF being means
OF revenue, IS an expense to the United States.
At first our demands were confined to asking Mex
ico to put end to system injurious 10 both
tries. We did not claim the right to require
her TO modify her tariff for our convenience,
but as q friendly nation asked her to give
attention to the subject. Since that time the evil
has grown into vast proportions. When 1t Is remem
bercd that the privilege granted to Matamoros,
Oamargo, Mer and tho other towns on the right
oank OF the lilo Grande OF importing European mer.
chandlse free OF duty opens up for the purpose OF
smuggling the entire Southern and Southwestern
borders Of the country, 1t win not appear strange
tnat our government. begins to view the matter
IN a serious light. The rev0lutlonists or NAL.
contents or by whatever name the fac
uons now tearing Mexico TO pieces may
be designated, select the districts where commerce
or wealth exists for their operations Corttna and
other generals occupy the towns alternately where
these imported goods are stored and, no doubt,
will convey them the best arkets for sale. Cor
tina Is debarred from entering Texas at present for
point that with q slate Of revolution existing in
Mexico ana the Tree belt occupied by chieftains
has found Il necessary to advise some positive &C.
tion In the premises An extension OF the frontier
from the Rio Grande TO the Sierra Madre would be
remedy for the evil.
OBJECT OF THE FREE ZONE.
Ever since the conclusion OF our war with MeXlcO,
In ls1s, the prevailing sentiment Of that country has
bcon dislike or hostility TO the United States. 1t
would Os useless 70 Coneea! the fact, In 1881 she
Grande was suggested, but It was not put into
operation until seven years later i was confirmed
by the national Congress In 1861. The Oh ect was
border BY placing . serious barrier on the road
1exlcans on the frontier are favored at the ex
pense Of the rest OF the people IN order that they
States ana this Is really large part or the expia.
nanon Of the continuance OF system tnat is in
passed. We have borne ingratttude, insults and
injuries for years hat lew nations would submit TO
ali that sister republic should have fair chance
TO consolidate her institutions and learn maintain
. staDle governments
In 1870 the government Of the United states,
through its Minister Mr.. Nelson, made unusually
Abolished. Tne 6ili introduced by Inc CABINET FOR
that purpose was defeated as stated, and during
hostile the sentlment Of members was toward this
country. Tne free zone system was known or
INJURY " other parts OF the republic, but It
seemed sufficient that II was working harm
n Of 0ay 20 agents vs s susrel
was III favor OF the plans or suggestions OF our
Sg as q me
could be more easily prevented under the present
Arrangements tnan II the free zone was abolished
the United states from the liberty now extended TO
the merchants in the free zone to land and hold
same across The slight barrier q the RIO
was urged, should be removed without delay,
we're pointed ont, but passed unheeded
MEETING OF TIE CABINET
Al the Cabinet meeting referred to as having been
aeld few weeks snce there were present General
Grant, the greater part Of his cabinet, ana Mr..
Patterson, q member Of the senate Committee Oh
Foreign Affairs Mexican affairs, particularly as
,s III as the Free Zone is concerned, were dls-
cussed; and as It was found that every means,
except the use OF force, had been employed ~
cSe6 1ss9 up up the Sigantc smuggling system esta6-
ment nothing was lett eli 'S but ,'' to refer the
snnsa msMes 70 congress TO decide tho policy TO be
would embody IN his annual message the recon-
mendat0ns agreed upon and then the question
" Mtefposluon W the Affairs Of Mexico would take