The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-06-12
THE NEW WAR IN MEXICO.
Mr.. Uayes's MILITARY Order Discussed from
Mexican Point or View.


To THE EDITOR or THE SUN-Sr: Since
writing my last article I have again read tho
order Of the Secretary of War which had dis
cussod. | was induced TO read 1t again by
several respectable persons, who called my at
tcntion TO the fact that the order was not
hostile act. hut simply warming. an admon-
ten which our Government could at any mo-
ment nullify Ivy chastisng the evil-doers. 1t
merely meant. IF you do not punish these
marauders who are annoying me. cannot
allow my interests to he damaged. and will havo
to take them in hand myself"
With every Appearance Of preventive care,
this view only adds insult TO injury. The Gov
eminent Of Mexico still exists. II recognized by
that OF this country. and Governments exist
specially for the settlement of Just such ques-
tons rs these. And while Governments which
rcdprocaly recognize each others sovereignty
exist. it is absurd to suppose that 30 vital
question az one affecting territorial integrity
could bc delegated for settlement to y justice OF
the peace and n subultern mil tary. OH 'er
II is ridiculous to imagine that friendly rea-
tions could Lee established under the very SIM
gular routine. provided by the order.
BY the order. the Mexican Government IL
obliged to station, for an unlimited time and
without any consideration, military Gordon
over n line ~ over three hundred lragucs in TX
tent. mostly through Y desert, country, unirra
penalty, In case Of refusal, OF losing tts nttri-
hutcs Of Sovereignty under the pretencc. true
or false. Of pursuing robbers. And M this
guard could not be "A pleasant employment Tor
the subultrrn In charge " II, and who would be
the only Judge Of violations of the boundary.
W" should b" NJ the mercy vi people VINO choose
to be- our enemies.
An attempt nj robbery. n drunken, man aus
pcct"d Of robbery passing 10y. would suffice To-
spread disnay among peaceful citizens. and
might authorize plumber. deeds OF vengeance.
and all sorts Of vandalism. Is this noble. hui
We have already stated that very frequently
these robberies complained OF ARE committee
by Americans. either alone or in concert with
McNicans and similarity of costume and habits
favor the Americans In the confusion, IL 4 in
tended that the r,sponsibillty even Tor these
However, the very arguments which the
United States use against Mexico really favor
us. Docs the order intend TO imply TINT we may
cross the frontier with an armed force, at the
discretion Of a military commander. whenever
he thinks that justice has not been rendered us
1t is evident that If the order bears this con-
struction, il would only be authorizing barhar-
ism rs IA last RESOURCE. and would reduce our
frontier to savage state, whore brute force
would be the sole law. II would be legalzing
assassinations and every species OF violence.
Matters like these arc settled brtwecn nations
only by treaties and conventions. in which
honor and the spirit OF humanity. which are
above all private or national interests place the
nations VINO diner in opinions under the Fu-
preme. protection Of law. These conventions
are held between governments.
In them eventuaities are forescen. the limits
Of investigation and proof are fixed. interests
are conri,iatri. AMI all the elem 'nts OF power
oi IN" contracting governments are brought 10
con 'ur 10 the common good. A convention with
all It's diplomatic iormaities II the only manner
oi solving llculiies which keep alive bnneful
passions, fatterng the mad theory, OF q mani
irst 4 stiny. which Washington. Hamilton. or
Clay would have regarded with grief and
shame.
A convention would be n simple md cfllca-
cious way Of settlement but simple and eff n
cious ways of settlement oifer little or no Held
Tor any dirty business. term 10y Whlch
classify thu business ofthose adventurous whose
only capital II deceit. whose only chance OF
profit lies IN raising vexatious Obstacles; -,
A treaty presupposes authority vested in the
| contracting parties, and President Hayes not
only hollis no such authority under tn" Consul
tuition but II has absolutely been refused to him
/ Oh "a previous Occasion. 80
So this arbitrary order ls null. because 1t has
| been issued without authority, on authority
! which W. would clearly have the right tn scru-
/ tnisc, because Of It's Importance n lar a. uui
interests are concerned. and beraus" i brings
which exists between the American people anc
| President Hay"s-thc former careful and Just
tn. latter sef-willed and inmical 10 Mexico.
! Moreover. Congress closed its session withon
| voting any appropriation for the army, hni
falling an appropriation. there Is no law, wh,rl
| American Constitution. Ike our own. requires
/ that the expense of tho army shall 10" vot"'
year hv y,ar M an Indispensable necessity %
| the maintenance of the army. Therefore TIM
| .orrc. Whatever Il may be-, cannot b" deemed
national force after the Isl OF July next. So tina
the order represents tyrannic"i order, whlci
AMI in this ngit President Hayes become,
merely a commander Of invaders. who. rs
leading paper Justly remarks, ought TO b'
! treuted n hlihuster-.
This il what the order amounts 10 in point o
law.
What ought Mexico 70 do? Ought she to wal
until some at is committed beforr she admiu
/ tllHt she il cognlNlnt of the wrong Ought sh'
toailow her rights 10 bee al the mercy of al
American military commander on the Ri
| GrandcY i IL likely that MrXican justice %
the pence ~ one OF the border towns VIII fur
/ nlsh "A detailed account of every step ne intends
a. take. So that his intended policy may be crit
| Iclsrd 10y this American commandrry
There Is in all this "A contempt of all law. nm
Mexico IN mssse will prot st against IN" eNrcu
ton Of tho order regardless OF Consequence
for when her honor is attacked she disregard
everything except it, defence
II is not obligatory on my country 20 he eithe
/ powerful or victorious. but sh" l. dilnliled AN
s"li-respscting. and. even when defeated. Sh
has ever won admiration by her prOwess an
her heroism.
The only hight In which have still to revioN
the order II in tn" possible benefit II may be- I
the American people. hut this will b" the sub
Ject OF another letter. Respectfully yours.
GUfLLFRMo pRIETo
ST. JULIEN HOTEL. June ii. 1877.