The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1877-05-24

Something About fhe Reported Filibuster-
ing Expedition to Mexico.

ing ENpGuftlOn 10 heACOs
Especial to the Chicago Times
WASHINGTON, May 13.-The object
of the proposed peaceful invasion of
Northern Mexico, if taken from the
standpoint of the exiled Lerdo, of course
is the ultimate return of that revolution
ist to the presidency by the assistance
of this body of American settlers, who
viii go ostensibly for the purpose OF
prospecting in the mines. He intends
under the present scheme to take po-
sition on Mexican soil and solicit Amer
lean filibusters to join him. They VIII
not be enlisted on American territory,
and hence columns can be formed with
out any direct breach ofneutrality laws
1t remains to be seen whether in the
event of a rupture between the Diaz
Government and the proposed body
guard of Lerdo, the United States would
intervene to call off this considerable
body of her citizens. Lerdo is repre-
scented as thinking that Diaz would leave
Mexico and allow him to resume the
presidency before there could be any
rupture between the contending factions.
He could then settle down and quietly
negotiate the transfer of the territory in
question to our Government, inasmuch
as any further attempt to con-
troll it and be responsible
for the depredations committed
on our border would only be continual
embarrassment to him. Not many days
AGO Lerdo visited New York incognito,
where he met number of capitalists.
1t was thought best before proceeding
further to dispatch an ambassador to
the Secretary of State to find out what
action the Government would probably
take in the matter and how far a policy
of non-intervention could be relied upon.
Accordingly Gen. Thos. Beal, leader OF
the expedition, came here several days
ago, and had long and secret inter
view with Mr.. Evarts and the result was
in every way gratifying to him. 1t
seemed to be his opinion that the Secre-
tary of State, who is fully determined to
take Mexico to task for her border ruff
fianism, would wink at great deal
without giving the plan any official sup
port. 1t .is looked upon as a simple
business transaction on the part OF this
Government to demand payment in
some form of the heavy Indebtedness in
Cured by Mexico to our citizens, and 1t
being perfectly clear that no money can
be had, there is no objection to fore
closing the mortgage and taking land.
A gentleman now here from Next
co, who has had repeated con-
ferences with the State Depart
ment, believes that Mr.. Evarts Will
make diplomatic use of the reports
about these expeditions. He will at
once, while these forces are forming,
press Diaz for settlement of the claims.
| He will of course receive the stereotyped
answer that there is no money on hand
and no immediate prospect OF balancing
the account. Thereupon he will offici,
ally propose to Diaz that the bill coulo
be Cancelled to the material benefit Of
the two Governments by the cession OF
certain Northern States of Mexico which
manifestly must be under the United
States authority if American citizens are
! 70 no Drotected in their rights. Dial
would probably be willing to settle IL
this way by disposing of the distric
which has always been an elephant OF
his hands, and the transfer could b'
made in due form before the filibuster
had commenced operations. Lerd'
could then be provided for by some pos
under the Territorial Government, o
could fight his own battles with Diaz
Some movement of great importance
may be expected in few days.