New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-12-07


their owners. The execution Of this law, he said
could not fail to do much injury. Besides this mill
tary companies raised by authority Of Gov. Coke in
Nucces and Duval Counties, had been most terri
BILE soourge to the Mexican population, among whom
they had committed all manner Of outragcs, and
murders. In conclusion, Mariscal asked our
Go yernment for indemnity for Lozano. and for the
families of his shepherds who were murdered
In June last Mr.. Foster had n long conversation
with Lagragua, the Mexican Foreign Minister In
relation to these border troubles in which the whole
subject was discussed at some length. Mr.. Foster
referred the ne had previously received
of the disposition Of the Mexican Government to
rcpress the troubles the Rio GTande border, but
he SAID that these were not sufficient IN
view of the fact that the maraudings from Mexican
territory continued frequent, bold and destructive
and caused much public excitement In Texas, and
that il was expected that more energetic measures
would be used by the Mexican authorities.
Lagragua replied that his Government had done all
that was possible up to that time; troubles on the
border were an evil common to both sides, and RAIDS
occurred from Texas into Mexico as well. Mr.
Foster then gave him declaration, received from
Secretary Fish, that incursons had been made
into Mexican territory from Texas, and that proof
was challenged to the contrary.
Lsgragua said that the border troubles had been
much discussed by the Mexican President and his
Cabinet, and that it apparently impossible 10
suppress the evil absolutely that all that conld be
expected was TO restrain and diminish il much as
possible. The reasons why Mexico was unable To
maintain peace and restrain raids from Mexico into
Texas were first: Troops could not he sent to that
quarter without fear Of desertion Second: The In
ternal troubles of the country rendered it impo's-
BILE; and thrd-In the state OF the National Treas
ury a sufficiently large force could not be main
tanned on the Rio Grande
Mr. Foster then said that he was authorized 10 as
sure Mr. Lafragua that the Government OF the United
States had information of any design Oh ac-
quring extension of territory on that fronJier'
but the Governor and citizens Of Texas were
camorous in their demands upon the Federal Goy-
ernmcnt for protection, and that the public press IN
the United States in reporting these frequent incur
sions and depredatons, was creating strong pubnc
sentiment in favor of an aggressive and vigorous
policy on the part OF the Government. AcknowieHg-
ment of the inability Of his Government to restrain
the lawessness Of it's citizens as just made by
him. would afford the strongest possible argument
to whatever advocates of an acquisition OF territory
there might be in the United States.
Mr. Iafraqua said the adoption Of any such pol
lev would be a greater evil than the present troubles
Mr.. Foster replied that, however much both gov
ernments might regret it, In the light Of such facts,
with a continuance of the raids the spirit of ter
ritorial acquisition could not fail 10 increase.
Mr.. Foster then suggested that permission be
given to the regular troops of the United States to
follow raiders across the border when III close p1r-
suit or, what would be still more etficacions, per-
mission temporarily to occupy certain points on the
Mexican side, where raiders were accustomed to
cross the river.
Mr.. Lafragua said that the Executive had no
al Mt fha AnUGQ
of Congress and that 1t would not be prudent to ASK
for this consent The sentiment Of the country
would not approve it,
From this conversation and the representations OF
Marseal il will be seen how difficult Of solution the
Mexican question il.