The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-08-14

frontier into the United states and attacked the Jail at
Rio Grande CITY, hbernting two prisoners and
killing wounding the Judge and some OF
tho guards, alter which II rs thought they fed
toward Laredo Instructions were gwen by General
Benavides to pursue them al vigorously where.
they have gone and to arrest them These
rences this vexatious because they serve,
IN the estimation OF Senior Maia, to impair the tran
Gull progress of events toward satisfactory condition
oil AFFAIR." between the United States and Mexico but,
he AIDES they cannot be helped and. OF course must
not be seriously taken into account, especially Us
everything will be done by the Mexican authorities to
remedy them and bring tho oaerlers 10 justice
INTERVIEW WITH GENERAL BESEyIDEs, THE
DIAz CoMMIssIoNER--A REMEDY SUGGESTED
FOR THE BORDER TROUBLES.
SAN ANTONIO, August o, 1871.
General r. Benevides, Mexican soldier of distnc.
ton, the retired list, however who has been
commissioned by President Diaz make thorough
inspection OF the line OF tho Rio Grande with
TO tho adoption OF such remedial measure as may DO
approved by the latter lett this city yesterday Tor
Matamoros During hts stay San Antonio he had
an interview with General Ord, which highly and
mutually satisfactory.
INTERVIEW
On being introduced to the General at his room at
the Mcugcr Hotel, he cordially invited your corre-
spondcnt to be seated, ana the object OF visit
being explained expressed his Willingness to furnish
all the information within the knowledge OF his mis-
sion TO tho Rio Grande and the results that might
grow out Of it, On your correspondent intimatng
that tho General probably very ardent adherent
Of the Daz cause he replied, with a deprecatory
GESTURE
81 do not belong either to the Diaz to tho
lerdo party, and my sole object in undertaking this
mission Ia TO assist in bringing about more friendly
rotations between the two republics | have friends
among the Diaz adherents and friends on tho other
side, and in this instance | am acting simply as
Moxran citizen who desires to do what little he can TO
| further the interests of his country
| CoRREsPoNDENr-Do you think, General, that Presi-
dent Diaz is IN earnest In his declarations all in
his power to promote cordial relations between the
TWO countries
General BESEv,DRs-l am sure that he Is. When
he desired accept this mission, told HIM
that did not wish TO put myself any trouble about
the matter unless was satisfied that such was his
object and then President Diaz gave every assur.
ance that my mission to the Rio Grande had for its
object the promotion OF raterna relations between tho
two countries. and before concentrating these ar
rangements he wished to have accurate statement
OF facts on which TO base his action; and he also
wished 10 have the bencGt of any suggestions might
have to make, having had considerable experience in
that part of Mexico. do not think, however, that
the administration Of President Daz should shoulder
all the blame for condition OF affairs that grew AMI
maturcd under his predecessors, Juarez and Lerdo
Had those Mexican Presidents done their duty in tho
premises tho present distressing unsettled condition
OF tho frontier could mover have existed. see
where either OF those officials showed any dis
position to suppress the pans other law less per
sons, whereas / know that General Diaz earnestly
desires closer relations with this country and aong
.t.4.. III.
Of affairs 10 IS dong very well, indeed, when you
reflect Cd tho difficulties with which he surrounded
REMEDY SUGGESTED.
CoRREsPoNDENT-Wha hat remedy do you suggest Gen.
cra for the chrome evils on the Rio Grande
and these evils be removed at all?
General BENEviDEs-The condition Of society on the
Rio Grande cannot be changed all once the brigau.
dage cannot be stopped in day or a month, bu,
measures be taken that Will keep within bou nds
or tho suppression Of freebooters would have re-
organization OF the rural police. which is Mexican
institution somewhat similar to your Texas State
police. The force, which should be stationed at con
vcDient points along the line OF the Rio Grande need
not DO large, but should be made up OF picked
men, recruited the spot ana instead OF The PIT
OF twenty-five cents per diem they at present
u dollar day should be allowed The commissoned
officers should be apponted by military authorities in
the city OF Mckee, and great care should be takcn IN
selecting them In Matamoros and the more IMP
and larger along tho river troops
TO the regular army should be stationed, the whole
be under the direct command and supervision Of the
President himself anu then he could be held respon
bio Tor the condition OF tho frontier This dspOsiii ION
of the troops would soon remove all Of complain,
on the part oil the Americans.
THE DEsERrER &c EsrIoN
CoRREsPoNDESr-Wha do you tnlnk of General
Ords suggestion that treaty be negotiated for the
extradition OF de5erters IRON either army?
General BEsEviDEs-A measure of that character is
almost ndispen sable TO the preservation OF order on
the Rio Grande. The absence OF treaty Of that
has perhaps had much TO do with the past inability
Mexico to render justice to the Unitod States There
afuftn
soldiers to abandon their commands and take uge
the American side of tho boundary, the DIN
cues oil recapturng such dcserters great that
heretofore the sending regular troops the border
has been regarded equivalent TO their defamation.
Besides II Is not uncommon for American soldiers to
desert and tuke up their residences in Mexico shall
urge upon President DIaz TO conclude treaty that
character But the great bond that would unite tho
peoples OF Mexico and the United States is "a liberal
ana mutually advantageous commercial treaty The
mutual benefit TO be derived from such is So
great, and the advantages 50 plainly manifest that all
The grievances now complained OF would disappear
COKREsPosDESr-But, General, is not q large por.
ton of the Mexican people utterly opposed TO for.
eigncrs, and would not lily in the face Of any sucl,
policy AS President Diaz seeks to carry out?
General BENEviDEs-rhe element that Is disposed
to SO regard foreigners has very little influence There
OF course some vulgar persons, there
country, who so regard strangers, but Tho integcn,
aud property owning classes glad TO have the coun
Try developed ny the capital and energy OF na
tionalties. do not regard such men strangers
but rather as friends.
THE SITUATION on TIL. BORDER
! CoRREsPokDENr-Do you think that the relations on
the frontier are IN very critical condition and thai
an outbreak is not yet imp probable?
General BENEvIDEs--l am inclined TO believe that al
danger avertcd for the present. but they nav
been very critical there can be manner OF uD IN
United states has been very fortunate in the gentle
men who have ro resented 1t In this matter Genera
ORD Ia very best that could been selected
He has managed the difficult complications with grea
ability Minister Foster also deserves great credit fo
hts conciatory policy He very popular in the city
OF Mexico Genera, Trevihio, with whom l am wei
acquainted, he having served under former
days IS an excellent officer AS long as the execution
Of the orders from the central governments arc in
trusted u such sagacious hands no serious troub,
may be expected Ihe whole question Is merely on,
OF frontier police, which can readily be adjusted with
out compromise 10 the honor OF either party.
CoRaEsPoNDENT--How about General Escobedo ant
his adherenlsY Do you think there Is any i'm mediate
necessity for Daz 10 return to the United States on
their acCoupt?