The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-02-13
THE TEXAS FRONTIER TROUBLES.
GENERAL oRD's METHOD FOR. STOPPING THE
CATTLE STEALING FoRAYs

GENERAL ORD METHOD FOR STOPPING THE
CATTLE STEALING FoRAYs.
WASHINGTON, Feb. IL, 1915
General Ord, Commander of the Military Department
OF Texas was examined to day before the
Select Committee ofthe House the Texas frontier
troubles and gave to the committee . very full and
intelligent account Of the cattle raids, 10 which the
rancheros the American side Of the Rio Grandc for
500 miles along the river aud for $50 miles back from
II are subjected well of the remedy which he
would recommend them.
According to the Generals statement the country
which the scene Of those border forays separated
from the river by very extensive belt of underground
forest, or chapparal which forms and shelter
for the cattle thieves who live by pu nder and which
renders 1t next to impossible for military patrols
or military posts to interfere with them There
are two classes Of Mexicans living the Texas side
the one consisting of intelligent, honest rancheros
who are much opposed to these raids the Ameri-
can portion Of tho population and the other consist
ing OF worthless fellows many OF them outlaws de-
serters from the Mexican army who work occasionally
on the ranches and who act spies and nformers for
their cousins eompadres the other side when they
cross the river their cattle stealing expeditions 1t
Is the intelligence which they receive from those fell
lows which enables them TO avoid the routes by which
they might be Intercepted their return with their
booty On their own side OF the these bands.
Wnlcn sometimes number rom 100 10 100 men, In
league with tho local authorities, their recognized
chief being Cortna all the facilities are gwen to
them for dsposng Of their plumber and such q thing
as restoration of the stolen cattle thought Of
The national government Of Mexico is be blamed
In General 0rds opinion for this state Of things first
because the system Of the government to let each
State take OF its affairs and second because
the Mexican soldiers have strong tendency whenever
they get enough to the border desert their col
ors and cross into Texas The Mexican government Is
therefore, powerless in the matter and the State gov
eminent OF Tamaupas to regard these frontier
forays part OF the established order Of things essen
tial for the good OF the community.
The only remedy therefore, for the evil Island IL Is
ono which the General Is urging the War Depart
montto increase the cavalry force the Rio Grande
and give him authority when his troops come on the
trail OF Of these thieving bands let the pursuit
BIO continued TO the Mexican side Of the river and let
the troops deal out summary punishment the
robbers He thinks that whatever opposition
the local authorities might mako to such q prac-
ticai course, the general government Of Mexico
would not make any He says that now in
OF the northern States tChihuhua)
himself and the Mexican commandment have a mutual
arrangement by which Indian expeditions are followed
either side OF the river and that
the American and Mexican troops have cooperated In
their movements against the Indians rations being sup
piled by his order 70 the Mexicans He Ii confident
that the. only feasible mode Of putting down these
forays by following up the robbers the way he
recommendA