The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1878-12-28

Sl0,OOO,00o.
Our ExeursIonists to Mexico.
In view Of the fact that several promi-
nent citizens OF Wheeling will leave next
week for visit to the republic OF Mexico,
everything relating to the prospects for
opening up trade with that country
possesses sort OF local interest for US.
We have received a pamphlet containing
some correspondence between the Manu-
iacturers' Association Of Chicago and the
Hon. John W. Foster, the American Min
lister to Mexico, which, while quite inter
esting, is not exactly as inspiring as we
could wish. In the first place, We regret
to observe that there is a tariff on nails OF
twelve cents per kilog, or say six cents per
pound, and seventeen cents per kilog on
Common glass" or say three cents per
pound. Although we do not mako any
very common glass" in Wheeling, yet We
suppose that II they tax a common article
OF glass that way in Mexico they would be
even more severe on the superior article
made here. .........
1t seems that Mexico has but one rail-
road Of importance, that from Vera Cruz
to the City OF Mexico, 263 miles in length.
It seems also that while they recognize
their need OF better development by
means OF railroads, yet they are very eau
tious and jealous about granting charters
for such enterprises, and require as con-
dition precedent to an act OF incorporation
that the corporators shall waive all their
rights OF redress as foreigners and become
wholly Mexican institution. They seem
to be particularly jealous OF the United
States, and look with suspicion ontheidea
OF a railroad from our Texas border to
their Capital. For instance, when rcso-
luton was offered in Congress to the effect
that sit Is expedient to provide by treaty
for the protection and encouragement OF
such citizens OF either country US shall,
with the consent OF the Government OF
Mexico, build and equip line OF railroad
from the city Of Mexico to the Rio
Grande," it was denounced in Mexico as a
proposition to establish mn American pro-
tectorate over Mexico with the ultimate
aim OF ANNEXATION. Minister Foster writes
that .......5 .......s ~
an 1878 contract was cntercdinto by
the Executive with the international
Railroad Company OF Texas, for the con-
struction of railroad to this city. That
contract or charter contained provisions
OF absolute forfeiture in case OF the trans
fer OF any OF the stock or the alienation or
hypothecation OF any OF the property or
interests OF the company to any foreign
government or State; oil the capital,
shareholders, employees, and oil persons
connected with the company were de-
clared Mexicans in all that related
TO the enterprise within the Repub-
lie; nor could they maintain their
claim Us foreigners, "eren Then
alleging denial Of justice" And similar
provisions have been inserted in every
railroad contract or charter made or pro-
posed since that date with foreigners.
None OF these charters have been found
available, and one OF the reasons is very
plain. American capitalists arc very 10th
to invest their money in Mexican enter
prises without some greater security than
has been afforded in the past; and es-
pecially are they unwilling TO forswear
their nationality for the sake OF building
railroad in foreign land, and to cove
nant, in advance, TO renounce tho inter-
yention OF their own Government in case
OF denial of justice, privilege recognized
by the general principles OF international
law" --~-n.
In connection with this extract from
Minister Fosters letter, We note the fact
that the American Mexican organ pub
lished at the City OF Mexico, strong sup
porter OF the present Diaz Government,
and also a severe critic Of the action OF our
Government with reference to the Rio
Grande raids, says in It's issue Of Novem-
Der SOth, that
"Mexico has one duty 10 perform her.
self, irrespective Of the embarrassed rela-
tons with the United States, and which
at the same time will erase unlaVoraOle
doubts from the minds OF the American
people. We refer TO the subject OF rail-
roads. With her vast undeyelOped re-
agricultural, and pas
toral; her valuable tropical products, that
are sought for by nearly all the world, her
precious woods, plants, and herbs, she con-
stitutes tho richest natural country on the
earth; and when considered with these,
her territory and population, she is in re-
spect to railroads the poorest, AL the high
blown editorials and speeches on the sub.
jects OF internal improvements and emf.
grafton have amounted to nothing, and
will continue to be valueless II there is
not some corresponding action. It Is
convection upon the minds OF all intelli-
gent men, lucid as tho monday light, that
Mexico must have railroads or she is lost. |
The Mexican people have not the capital
or the experience for building them. Con-
she must look abroad for this
great factor Of her future prosperity and
salvation. 1t is useless to disguise the
iact neither capital nor railroad
builders can be induced to come from
Europe. No person or company in any
II the nations Of that continent has made
m offer TO this end. Therefore 1t Is 10 |