The New York herald., 1877-09-05
OUR SOUTHERN BORDER.
Humiliating Condition of Affairs on
the Rio Grande.
AMERICAN PRESTIGE WANING
Mexican Authorities Refuse to Stop the Raid.
ing Upon American Settlers.
ONLY ONE REMEDY.

SAN ANTONIO, Texas, August 80, 1871
The present condition OF affairs on the Rio Grande
is just about as lar from being satisfactory TO the
people and authorities this side oil the boundary as
II is possible for IL The conduct OF the Mexican
local authorities the border referring to both civil
and military for the past few months, establishes u
beyond the possibility OF successful contradiction
that there no earnest intention on the part OF the
Mexican border population to put end to the
stealing but, on the contrary, 1t IS regarded as a
legitimate of revenue, which is to be perpc-
uated far they concerned. ad ir.i"itum. 1t
also not 10 DO denied that every Mexican general on
the border excepting General Benavides, who does
not live or belong there dong his utmost TO pander
this popular local sentiment, and Is tanning into
fame tho glowing hate which Is to be found In the
breast OF almost every Mexican. The events OF the
last few months have completely banished tho last
lingering hope in the minds oil United States officers
That reliance be placed the promises OF Mexican
officials that any good will from tho continu-
OF diplomatic negotiations between General Ord
and tho Mexican officer in command on the Rio
Grande
PRESENT SITUATION HuMIIIATING TO AMERICANS.
That the border MeXicans do propose even TO AZ.
tempt ID make any change in the existing dsgracetui
and humatlng border status is SO plain and the evil
dence cumulative that II seems almost superauous
to elaborate the case. IL not that large pro-
portion of the American people comparatively un.
informed OF the events transpirng on tho Rio Grande
and OF the astounding perddy of the Mexican char
acter. That the Americans neither respected
feared by the Mexicans is due TO the modification
of the instructions to General Ord, torbiddiag him
to pursue the raiders the Rio Grande
when the Mexicans had forces the other side.
Within the last few months, on three separate occa
sons, the Mexican authorities have Jailed or refused
to take up the trail on the Mexican banks, when the
American troops were on the spot, ready and willing
to assist them. On ono occasion, whcn the Mexican
officer notified when and where the raiders would
cross over, he did send q. detachment TO the place
where the stock had been driven over but few hours
previous. The American officer also the
ground With sufficient force, but the Mexican officer
gave the whimsical preext tor refusing to
that the Indians were too strong, and expressed his
unwillingness at the United States troops cross
ing at all. On another occasion, when the
raiders could have readily bcen overtaken, the Mex
officer failed 10 put In an appearance at all On
occasion General Naranjo announced most
emphatic language that he going to send troops
pursue still another band Of Lpans, aud he INDUCED
in the sangune prediction OF the fate Of the
marauders soon his invncble regulars overlook
them, which, hc averrcd, was foregone conclusion.
This unexpected conduct OH the part of General Ma
rapjo was telegraphed all over the United States
government had determined to pursue new lIae OF
policy toward the United States. SO ferocious
was General Naranjo toward the unfortunate
thieves that fears entertained that even thk
| women ana children would be ruthessly slaughte
Fortunately the barbarities practised by the bashi-
bazouks were not ocnacted Mexican soil, as the
Mexican avengers, by some mistake other. missed
the trail Nevertheless, great credit given Gen.
era Navanjo for his manifest disposition 10 punish
with unnecessary cruelty, perhaps, the invaders OF
Texas SOIL 1t has, however, leaked out since-so 1t is
| my painful duty to chronice-that the guide fur.
nished the pursuing Mexican troops by General Ma
vano notorious thief, named Arieola and actu-
ally Of the identical raiding party he sup
| posed to be pdrsuns The failure OF The Mex.
lean scouting party to realize all the sanguinary
pecations Of their General may hence DO attributed to
natural causes. AS far as humbuggng the simple
| Americans concerned the scout grand sue
cess for the time beng
The foregoing illustrations seem to be sufficient in
establishing the that far the authori-
ties at Salto concerned there dspos ton to
act in good faith. That the authorities AT Camanga
are in nowse behind General Navanjo treachery
deceit, the negotiations for the extradition OF
the Rio Grande City raiders furnish abun-
dant testimony. 1t is very plain that the Jail
breakers were Mexican citizens else they were
not II they Mexican the Mexcan govern
mcnt is responsible for Their conduct. II they not
Mexican citizens but Americans living on this side Of
the river then they properly subjects for extra
dton In either event they arc iabie to arrest and
punishment. II Is not worth while TO follow the
negotiations that like wounded snake, drags lis slow
length along. Let IL suffice 10 say that were
1t not for the presence OF General Trevino,
of whom the various Daz guerrilla cniefs have a
wholesome dread, not even semDlance OF respect
would been shown TO the demands OF the au or
States nave lost prestige ana Americans are OBJECTS
OF melancholy derislon. We have been successfully
hunbugged jeered at so long that 1t IS Low mpos-
sIbe persuade these mongre bes To any defer
TO demands and protests except through the
medium OF Calling guns and o'her arguments within
tue range oi Mexican COM Irchenson In this COZ nee
ton may aud that the Lpans, Tor whose extradition
proper papers nave been forwarded 10 General Fa
con, are within a lew hours ride Of the border and
could be arrested, but as was done ore. the
matter has been copsigned to the tomb oi tue Capu-
leis "Nolning will be zone in the premscs,'' is what
a well informed gentlemen at Piedras Negras writes on
the subject
THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT UNABLE TO ACT.
Having established the fact that nothing be ex-
pectc1 from border authorities, the question ~,
Can DiaZ compel the generals on the border 10 enforce
dispensaule 10 the preservatlon OF peace and good
order the oorderr 10 THIS question tnere can be
but answer aud that is most emphatic negative
He dare attempt III the present temper oil the
Mexican border population. He cannot sen an army
there they wocld desert or become dcmoralzed BY
| coming IN contact by tho local caaaiHe Mexican
Presidents OF quite as much hrmness as Diaz aud much
Irmy seated IN me Presidential cnar Than he IS
have tried II and failed Besides, lie is under obga-
tons leading IN tho frontier states and be cam
break up what they regard as legitimate trade or
| pursuit am privately informed that General Bena
vides has lost all hope in this direction.
REMEDY.
II President Hayes means to recode from the posi-.
tion he TAKEN then OF course, there IS nothing
more to be sad but something very prompt and de-
will be done at very early date by tbe people
| OF Texas On tnat point there IS no doubt; but If
President Hayes intends To uphold the national honor
and put stop to this trailing oI the American flag in
the dust, then that portion OF General Ord's ustruc
tons requiring him 10 consult the Mexican authorities
before pursuing thieves must be revoked. But that
Is not all that is required. General Ord must have
more men, The depieied infantry companies should be
flied up and two more regiments of cavalry should be