New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-12-17
THE DIsTURBANCE IN EL PASO.

ROW OVER THE POSSESSION or SALT LAKES on
AMERICAN SOFIA RACE AFFAIR, But NOT An
ISrERNATIoNAL QUARREL.
lBY TELEGRAPH To THE TRrBUSRI
WAsHING1oN, Dec 1G.-lhe fighting at FL Paso,
reported within the last two or three days. has no
relation whatever TO the Mexican border troubles
which both branches of Congress are investigating,
and which are engaging much of the atten-
ton Of the American people.
These troubles are of two kinds. A year ago cat
tie thieves from the Mexican States of Iamaullpas
and Nueyo Leon on the lower Rio Grande
making constant raids the river upon the
stock ranches of citizens of Texas. They had made
the southern part of that State, bordering upon
Mexico and extending from the mouth of the Rio
Grando River for about a hundred miles M that
stream, almost uninhabitable The attention
Of the Administration having been directed to
this state Of affairs through the efforts of the
Texas delegation, especially by the report of the
special committee of which Mr. Scheicher was chair
man. an additional force of United States troops
was stationed in that part Of Texas. Since that
time the raids have almost ceased Further up the
river are the Mexican States of C0ahuia and Chihua
Eua partially inhabited BY Wild Indians, and these
people have crossed over from Texas and occupied
tho mountains on tie southern side OF the river.
For several months past they have made repeated
incurious into Texas for tine purpose Of capturing
horses and mules from American settlers along tie
RIO Pecos; and these are the inyasions which Cen
erdl Old has been engaged in suppe,,lng, aud Tor
the prevention Of which the Executive order to
United States military officers % cross tie ryor, It.
capture the stolen property, and punish the outlaws
on Mexican territory, was issued.
From the western point at which these Indians
have been crossing the Rio Grande, 10 III Paso,
whore fighting has been reported within Tie last
two or three days, about 800 miles. The inter-
,.n,uy country is almost unnhabitcd, on both sides
Of ,uc river. The people of the lower Rio GraAde'
or even those about Eagle Pass, have no COMMUNE
cation with those at FL Paso, as there arc no
roads leading from section Of the country to tho
other.
IT Paso itself IL settlement, ori iue Of settle
uents. embracing population OF about 5000 in
hsbi.ant~ situated ia ,Lc rich but narrow valley eX-
tending nine or ten miles along the bank OF the ido
6raldc River in Mexico. Ii is one OF the oldest
towns In that part Of ,c country, andi Is upon the
chief tuoroughfara between NcW-Mc&ico and CHI
hiahua. On tine Texas side Of tho river and really
forming ual, # the same settlements, ara ne small
villages oil san Ezar.o and lslec. Both o. these arc
inhabited chiefly Icy MexIcaus, though few Amerl-
c,ys have established themselves there. The NcAi-
cans are in constant communication win theif
couu lymeu ip Fl Paso, aud, indeed consider them
selves Is MeXicaus rather than American. strong
race autiuathy has long existed between the differ
eat nationaIitios, and ont OF las seems To nave
grown al The present trouble.
In the interior Of Texas, several hundred miles
from the Mexican border, are extensive slt lakes,
AZ which, from time immcmorial. the Mexican resi-
Jopts Of III Paso and the country for hundred
mile. around ii haze been IN the habit of obtaining
hcir,lt free Of cost. st different times within the
last thirty years Americans have attempted 10 gel
po,esson of these Lakes, and to levy toll upon ali
salt taken away; but the opposition OF the Mexican
uorrlatiou in Texas, as well IS on the soulh
side OF tho river, has been so great, ana
the number of Americans 50 small, that
the latter have not thought II eAprdIehI 10
enforce what they considered to be JheH legil
RIGHTS Onto recently new attempt TO leN5 Il Ton
upon the salt taken from these lakes was inaue'
ont If il has grown fcGd between the M"xicans
and Americans. Judge Howard, who is an American
was IN some way mixed UP with this controversy,
,rd a few months ago he killed an Italian named
Cards. who had c,pouscd the cause Of the MeA'cans
| and was very popular among them. This homicide
caused Great excitement among the Mexican
| pouulati0n on both sides Of the river. Judge
| Howard believing that he could not remain
| in safety in tho vicinity Of FL Paso, He'd to
| Pr.,.dIo where he remained for some tlhe'
! The antagonism between the Americans ana
N.x;cans was intensified by the bloodshed Peacea-
H., citi,ons were so much alarmed that the Gov
| erior Of Texas sent 10 san Eiizlrio squad OF
twenty STATE troops for the purpose OF preserving
| ord.r When he learned of the arrival OF these
| troo,s Julgc Howard returned to his home ana de-
cred himself up 10 the civil authorities, expecting
that the State troops would be able To protect hlui'
within the last two or threcd days
lead TO the belief that the enraged Mexcans lhcud
ing residents Of both sides of the river attempted 10
lynch Judge Howard, and that when the Htate
troops undertook to defeat INN, they were SUI
rounded, and fight ensued.
On receiving dispatches from the Governor OF
Tcvas and from others in that State as to the con-
dition of affairs at FL Paso, the Texas delegation
e,edupon the Presdent;and requested him to order
sufficient force of United States troop, TO san Elizaro
for the protection Of the American residents. Mr..
Schlelcher. who IS thoroughly familiar with the
couutry and with the causes of the present trouble,
.v,lainad the matter to the President, and showed
him how distinct this outbreak Is from anytl ing
connected with the so-callcd Texas border troub-
les. The President replied that he had already
received a dispatch from the Governor OF Texas ask
ing that United States troops bc ordered to I'll
Paso the necessary steps for atording the protec-
ton asked for had been taken.
The nearest United States post that Is garrsoned
is at Fort Davis about 800 miles distant from IL
Paso so that it is hardly possible that troops can
reach the Rio Grande ia time to be OF much
service. although the condition Of affairs Is such
that their presence in the vicinity VIII un-
d,ubiedly have sautary effect for some TIM
in come. There wera formerly two small mile
tary posts i'm that region ono known as Fort bi'7'
directly opposite FL Paso and the other as Fort
o,itran about thirty miles further down the TiNer'