The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-12-05
Hayes and Mexico.

Twenty months have passed since HAYES
began his outragcs upon the Mexican re-
public, and all he can now report to Con-
gress Is that correspondence still con-
tinues between the two Governments upon
tho various questions which at one time
seemed to cndaugcr thoir relations" The
attitude Of invader assumed by Mr. HAYES
not only at one time seemed to imperil both
countries, but did impefil them, and SO con-
tinues to do to-day. 1t is simply through a
temporary lull in our raiding upon Mexico
that the threats OF war have for the moment
subsidized; BIT the power TO resume the vio-
lations Of Mexican territory is S:..,l lodged
by HAYES in the hands Of various military
commanders.
HAYES now processes TO be reluctant to
make military movements across the bor-
der" There Is no question OF reluctance
in the case. He has no right to execute mill
tary movements on Mexican soil, any more
than Gen. DIAz has the right to execute mil
itary movements on American soil, or than
the Marquis Of LoRNE could justiliably send
his redcoats across the Canadian border
into New York and Vermont. The orders
issued by the authority of HAYES are not
only a standing menace TO the peace Of the
two republics. but constitute a gross viola
tion OF international law. HAYES, how
ever, now says to Congress:
Reluctant to assume any action attitude in the
troll Of these incursions by military
the border not demanded the protection
the lives aud property Of our own citizens shall take
the earliest opportunity consistent with the proper dis
charge this plain duty recognize the ability Of the
Mexican Government to restrain effectively violations Of
our territory
II is eighteen months since HAYEss raid
ing order was signed, and his earliest OPP
portunity" has not yet arrived The Ian
guage he now employs TO Congress is OBJ
viousy Of the same deceitful sort that he
found IL convenient TO use TO that body n
year ago During the year he has found no
consistent opportunity TO recall an order
which violated the admitted right of every
independent nation 10 police its own from
tiers. Under the wording Of HAYES 5 prom
Use he can easily pass another year in oc-
casional raids into Mexico as time and his
plans may serve In fact, the military officer
who commands the region OF the Rio Grande
border has expressly recommended the es-
Enlistment Of garrisons on the Mexican
side OF the river, recommendation which
| has brought from Mr. HAYES no word OF
rebuke.
The treaties still subslsting between this
country and Mexico specifically provide
that mo acts OF reprisal, aggression, or
hostility OF any kind" shall be resorted to
by either, while peace continues between
them. But HAYES in disregard OF these
treaty obligations, has undertaken to pro-
nounce on his own authority, and without
any counsel with Congress on the point,
that Mexico has failed TO fulfil her interna-
tional duties; and thereupon he has EN-
powered and directed the commanders OF our
troops TO commit acts Of reprisal, aggres-
sion, and hostility against Mexico. He has,
without justification, used the army OF
the United States to assault a friendly
power, now too weak to resent IL, as a
stronger power certainly would do. He re-
jects any peaceful solution OF the questions
at stake, ignores the specified methods Of
settling them provided by treaties and as
10 his diplomacy can only report that "cor
respondence still continues" and that h'
will take the earliest opportunity to recog
nize the ability OF Mexico to govern herself
Such an attitude deserves the investigation
and conformation Of Congress, as a viola
ton not only of international courtesy, bu
OF the laws Of the United States.