The New York herald., 1872-10-18
M e x I G o..
Interview with the American Min.
lister, Thomas HI. Nelson.
His Views on the Resources and Financial Con-
dition of Mexico-The Lerdo Administra.
tion-Railroads Necessity to Msxi-
can Prosperity-Ths Claims and
Rio Grands Commissions.

The Hon. Thomas II. Nelson, OF Indiana, Minister
OF the United States to the Republic OF Mexico. re.
Gently arrived In this city per steamer Cleopatra.
from Vera Cruz. and Is stopping at the Holman
House. Mr. Nelson has, during the years OF his
residence In Mexico, made the present condition
and future prospects OF that Republic profound
study, and to obtain his ideas concerning them
HERALD reporter was yesterday despatched to sin-
terview" him.
Our representative found the tail diplomat in an
excellent condition OF health, though somewhat
fatigued from the rough passage home. Though,
as usual, courteous in demeanor, he, with true
Western promptitude declined to be interviewed"
on the subject OF Mexico, giving as reason the
delcacy OF his position as foreign representative
to that Republic. There were, however, certain
general matters upon which he spoke with entire
freedom.
In referring to his journey home, Mr.. Nelson
stated that the railroad from Vera Cruz TO the
City OF Mexico Is nearly completed, there
being only a break of five miles remaining.
The train upon which he came was the
first that had passed the road in It's
present state OF completion and the efforts
of the officials were untiring to make his journey
agreeable The break referred to Is between the
small village OF Maltrata and La Boca del Monte.
which comprises the more difficult portion OF the
ascent to the table lands, upon which the city Of
Mexico s situated. This will be finished by the
31st OF December and railway communication be
thus opened between the sea coast and capital. In
speaking OF Mexico Mr.. Nelson expressed the
highest respect for the honesty and abilities OF the
late President Juarez, who fully appreciated the
services rendered the Republic of Mexico by the
Unitea States and was their steadfast friend, and
yet by Accumulation Of circumstances, matters had
arrived at such pass that benefit accrued to the
hp accaa inn nj QrdO Mr.
regards that gentleman as one OF the profoundest
statesmen Of the age, an opinion concurred In by
the great mass OF f0reignersln the Republic. His
elevation to the Presidency brought about conf
dence throughout the country which had long been
wanting, and which relieved the government OF ),
large share OF the embarrassment under which it
labOred. Lerdo found but $4,000 in the treasury;
but on appealing to the merchants and capitalists
of the city the amount he asked for ($50O,0eO,
immediately rendered him. and five millions could
Mr.. Nelson think thinks there is no reason why the
finances OF Mexico should not be placed, and at No
distant day, upon sound basis. The system OF d.
rect taxation and tax upon incomes has never
been adopted in Mexico Indeed no country under
the sun has been 80 little taxed In any legitimate
be assured OF the permanency and strength Of the
government the property holders throughout the Re-
system and the Immediate and remote wants Of
the administration would, with the other sources
OF revenue, revenue, 6e amply supplied Again the
dishonesty Of officials have made the merchants of
Mexico race of smugglers But once satisfy them
that the duties will be impartially exacted and
properly applied in such manner that their inter-
ests will be protected and themselves relieved
from the constant exactiOnS made by irresponsible
chiefs, and no effort will be made to avoid them.
Ostensibly the ZOna Lbre extended only along the
line OF the Rio Grande but the weakness and needs
OF the government combined with the dishonesty
OF its servants, practically have established 1t
the entire country. Senior Lerdo has set his face
diligently toward the consummation Of the needed
reforms, and as he has the Congress with him the
happiest results are argued.
Mr.. Nelson speaks In enthusiastic terms Of the
agricultural resources OF Mexico. ut Can, he
says, ''supply the world with sugar, and that OF
quality superior to that OF Cuba.n Its coffee Is
unsurpassed in quality and limitless in the guam
tity which can be raised, while the article OF to-
bacc0, II not equal to that raised In Cuba closely
approximates 1t. That the needs Of Mexico hereto
fore mostly supplied from Europe, will at no dis
SAINT day be obtained in the United States, for
which will be returned the articles mentioned,
sugar coffee and tobacco, Mr.. Nelson regards as
certain.
In commenting upon the development OF Mexico,
great needs. This Is especially the case, from the
entire absence OF navigable rivers throughout her
borders. The incipient step in the supplying Of
Vera Cruz to Mexico, which will be followed by the
speedy construction OF others OF great importance,
some Of which are already begun.
touched his ofioial position it was evident Mr Mel
son regarded the relations between the twO Repub-
lies as very satisfactory. The LerdO administration
is desir0us to remove all cause Of complaint on the
Rio Grande and has despatched thither Senior Don
Emilio Jalasco, an able lawyer and statesman, long
resident upon both sides Of that river and thor
oughly acquainted with the people, to investigate
and report upon the alleged depredatiOns, with q
view to putting stop to them
Mr. Nelson denies the report that Jose Maria
Iglesia has been appointed to succeed Mr.. Guzman,
relieved from the Claims Commission, and states
that no appointment has been made as yet.