The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-04-04
THE MEXICAN BORDER TROUBLES.
Interview with the Next
can Minister.
"a Mexican Investigating Commits
sion-What it Found.

subject OF the recent Mexican outrages. Minister
Mariscal was anxious that II the question Of
alleged or real outrages the Rio Grande was
70 be discussed through the popular medium OF
the press, nothing but facts should 20 before the
public. A good deal had been said by the papers,
some OF which might be true; but considering the
amount OF exaggeration that generally creeps
anto reports, from the Rio Grande frontier In par
tlcular II would be well TO give present rumors
some quaran tine until offlcial information on the
subject could be recelved IN detailed manner.
The Minister said in substance that he has not
yet had anything of1cial about the matter. but
shat doubtless the proper steps would soon be
taken 10 have IL thoroughly silted to the bottom.
There has always existed Q good deal OF dsquiet'
amounting to Disturbances along the River
Bravo frontier. The Texans were known ire
quently to be in fault themselves and II occasion
ally Mexican citizen was found In the wrong,
mis- shortcomings were magnified thousand
1imes. The cattle rooberies ana frequent murders
were often committed by q class OF outlaws who
really had NO nationality. They lived on either
side OF the frontier line just it suited their oc-
easional interests. These people observed no law
but that OF the strongest and had no nag save
tne winning one. without saying anything against
the people OF Texas in general, Il must be con-
ceded that numerous disreputahle characters
arom other parts OF the Union sought refuge there
from police pursuit, in the extensive plains.
THE LONE STAR STATE.
These people came TO know each other, ana
combination among them against the best inter-
ests OF society the natural result TO be looked
Sor. BY reference back to the criminal statistics
OF Texas. 1t would be found that majority OF
convIcts in Cameron and other border counties
ala not belong to the place at ALL but were impor-
tations not, indeed, from Mexico so much as out
OF d1rerent parts or the United States themselves.
- nd he
altogether blameless. Unfortunately, on the Mex
acan side OF the river, as elsewhere there were
1awbreakers. Besides this there have been, from
one cause or another, frequent disturbances OF the
peace IN Tamaulpas and few more border States
OF Mexico. These warlike operations or revolu-
tionary movements always-as the United States
can testify-left a bad element benind
them, an element composed, in many
instances, OF desperate men, who were
ready for anything. People OF this kind would
disturb the peace OF any country; and 1t had
always been The care OF Mexico 10 watch, hold IN
cnecK ana punish them Wherever found. On the
crimes of highway robbery, housebre9king and
kidnapping the la ~ oil Mexico were mucn more
severe than in the United states. There they
were punished BY DEATH but here by impr-son-
ment.
IN 1878 the Mexican government sent TO the Rio
G.anoe an investigating commission; lor we put,
fnen complained Oh THIS commission examined
ABOUT $40 witnesses and tae evidence q a ma
rOoberies committed along the frontier were per-
petrated Dy Indians, or outlaws, princlpanY from
Texas. IL was not SHOWN that Mexican citizens
had figured largely IN the cattle RAIDS OF that year.
Doubtless some cases would be round wherein
Mexicans had participated, but these were 0y no
means numerous. One mistake Of the Texans IS
tbat persons having DARK skin, or being in
digenous 10 the Valley OF The Rio Bravo, are
hexicans. This Is TAR RON being the fact. When
Texas became state OF the American Union tens
10 Mexico changer their nationality and became
American citizens. Among tins element, too.
must be looked or many o. tue Crimes com%aItea
men OF this class are taken up Tor any OFFENCE they
CLASSIFIED AS MExIcAss
Just because OF tneir physiognomy and the fact
that they happen 70 speak spanish. Again. az
under which they live. the wretched creatures
think that by saying they are Mexicans less pun
ne Is told ABOUT their nationality. and the bur-
den OF such evil doers cupaDlhty i charged upon
Tnere IL stIll another class on the Rio Grande TO
pe enumerated. Tney constitute a portion Of
speculative, sometimes eyi.minded individuals
VINO are always on the lookout Tor grievances
AGAINST Mexico, IN order to subsequently make
an outrageouslr extravs2ant claim for damages
very remote period great portion, n not all OF
Mexlco. VIII become annexed 10 the United States.
and thus they think 10 enrich themselves AZ the
cost % their neiRnbors. These delnded creatures
have multiplied in numbers OF Iate years. possibly
because OF the existence OF an international Claim
Commission 10 Washington. Is - hardly neces-
sary 10 say that the hopes OF tnis mlschievous
GiaAn are 0a9elees as a cream.
A grave matter or international Importance
nke that 81 the peace OF the frontier dividing TWO
great nations must be carefully looked INTO, and
compromise itself 20 any given course. u, after
cue investigation, II appears that the Mexican
government ~ IN any way responsible Tor the
present border troables, then, as matter OF
course.
America can AK no more tna0 this, and Mexico
would concede no less. hus Tar the governments
OF Dota countries are n ACCORD generally, and
npr A d 4
VIII be taGen on either side Ine Mexican gov.
grauoD Of Generai Grant IN - Tar as his pOicy
toward that Republic - concerned. Neither tne
President nor MI Pisa would SANCTION ans precip-
itate step that mlKht insoFe = wrong toward
Toe line Of the Bravo Is very extensive rom
Begdad % ~ Paso. The only way 70 preserve II
intact rom lndIan or other depredatIoHs would
be 10 establish line o. military posts along It's
necessary either side would amount 70 more
than either Mexico OF the United states might
care 70 employ In this duty during times Of peace.
Tue next best step Il 20 organize nylnR column
oil cavary 20 patrol the rlvcr banks on both SIDES.
In ibis latter case y ezsy 20 see tnss rne ne
crossed nearly anywhere between there and the
rivers mouth. True. mutual nnderstanaeing
authorities. while the up-goinR column OF tue
one country took care u ooth sides mmedi-
ateiy above and oelow wherever 4 might oe. toe
d0wn-noing column OF tue other could do as much
In that part OF the iine within reacn. ms would
border ponce that might eve good results
mere ~ another thing also 70 he considered.
Last year MANI Mexican cltlxens. residents Of
Texas. suffered some prosecutions At the hands Of
funeral people Of one KIND Or another lnere
was prejudice agaiDst them ~ . class; and they
were frequently robbed and murdered without
mercy. III should now be proved that any Next.
can citlzene were engaged in the late alleged
raids, may they not have been melted 70 the acts
by q spirit or revenge Tor past Injuries.
AZ 20 Cortlna's being mixed up ln tnis unlor-
fnnate business, there - no proc ~ ali tnat Guch
IN the case. Corflna ~ 10 Matamoi 0s--was lately
Chlef Justice 81 tnat ciiy, but ~ now retired 70
private HE, aud ~ "a hard 70 see why mis- name
should be mentioned IN connection WITH these dis
turbances wnen there y no shadow 81 evidence
against nlm-
Extravagant newspaper reports have given pub
ficity TO an absurd rufnOT about the American
governments assumed intention TO aAnneXa pOr-
fgon Of Mexicon the better 70 secure peace on toe
frontier. The report he the Minister ged
upOn as being too nonsenscal TO deserve q
thought. Upon this question the policy 81 Mexico
was well understood, and he, az ner representa-
1--WE, could say nothing upon MS head There can