The New York herald., 1878-10-06
MEXICO.

DEFIANT ATTITUDE OF THE MEXICAN PEOPLE
AND oovERNMENr-LACK or sINEws OF
wAR-sMUGGLING AND ITS DIREEUL CoNsE-
QUENCEs-cosGgEss WANTS PEACE.
CITY OF MEXICO, Sept Is, 1878.
Is there 70 be- war between The United States aud
Mexicos THIS is the question OF the day at this CAPT
tai as well other parts OF the Republic where
the people intelligent eaough to take an interest
the affairs OF their country. General Aacken-
zies latest Invasion OF Mexican territory has started
the question raised storm OF dgna,en against
the United States. Tnc enemes Of the Diaz govern
ment in tho hope OF embarrassing IT, are adding fuei
to the flames. The opposition papers are ioudest
In calling upon the government 70 resent the sup
posed and vndicats the "national dignity.'
But In case OF with the United Sta.ss-an
emergency which, to most thoughtful minds in this
country, appears remote as ever-now Is this gov-
srnment prepared face the musicS With the
Treasury empty and the pay OF It's army and civil
service employees In 10 but Ill prepared IN
deed. Even the Supreme Court OF the nation throat
ened TO "strikc' short time ago. because their
monthly pay not forthcoming In fact several
subordinatss OF the did strike. Whom the high
priests Of Temple of Justice clamor tor their pay
IN such undign nHed manner lhsy did what 10 to
be expected OF the baser sort of hlrengss The eyes
OF the government directed with waichiul
pestiience It derives most of It's revenue But tho
imports during the past summer have been exceed
ingly light and the received for duties
respondingly small II the imports at Vera Cruz do
show any considerable increase during shs coming
months tho government will Be put TO severe test
LIS comparatively large army VIII be q source
Of weakness rather than OF strength. Mr..
Romero, the Secretary oi the Treasury, has
been racking his industrious brains to keep
his financial head above water Several large
German imporuax houses have been appealed
to and have IN part offered 10 advance the nscdiuI
funds bot at q rate oil interest which wouli make
Shyiocx blush, and consequently their offer
ci,ned. Mr.. Romero, account OF his honest cHorts
TO check the waste oil pubic money, has RAISED up
Tor himself many enemies In h,sh places, who are
aiming his removal II they cannot effect his vol
untary retirement by creating Tor MIN all kinds OF
obstacles Matters have come TO such pass that his
resignation at An early date Is extremely prooaOe.
He mas already been mentioned as successor 10 Mr.
Zanaeona IN Washington; but when the writor qucs-
Iioned HIM about TINS report be said there was no
Foundation Tor IL
The continued decline IN the Imports at Vera Cruz
Ia partly explained by The vast amount OF smuggling
said 10 be going on st the American frontier across
IN. zona nbre ana this suvjsc next TO the rumor cd
trouble with the United States. occupies the pubic
mind more tnan any other How 10 stop smuggling
Is at present the most important problem Tor this
distracted country. The newspapers day alter day
publish articles on the subject, offering sugges-
IONS anu deploring the decline OF legitimate
against The Uped states tho primary cause Of TINS
cvii frontier IL mas been even dxrkly limited
that tho periodical invasions BY American troops
under General hacSchze and others had been Tor
the purpose OF escortlug contraband trains oil mer-
chandise into Mexico, with Tue ostensibe object OF
pursuing bandittI across the frontier.
The fasiIy oil ths must be apparent TO any one VINO
knows The state OF affairs on The frontier La point
oil fact smuggihg has bseh carried on under pfotcc-
uon of tue Aexican commanders stationed there,
General NaranJo among tue number II Is we'll
known fact that Governor Caualss, OF toe state of
partner (as the case happened 10 bel ia many
n big smuggling transaction. Mr. Romero ssked an
American q snort time aga "wnat do you tnink
would be the best measure fer the government to
isko 10 stop sm dggiingSn The answer was .'Reduce
the larIn 10 point wnere smuggling ceases to pay
With It's vast extent OF territory, sparse popuiation
the corruption or weakness of tpe federal authorities
and lack vi communication, no Mexican government,
however firmly established at the capital, can enforce
The collection OF import duties al distant points OF tho
Rcpubiic
THE MEXICAN TARIFF.
The high and complicated iafIn ls powerful In.
auoemvnt Tor Smuggling. IN worains' sseue anu sn.
snit tho purposes vi custom oouse officials Inclined
to chicansry aud corruption. rhe noncompliance
with the most Insignificant OF the many Tuios, by
rules and requirements brings down lines upon the
devoted head ot the importer at the discretion Of the
custom house officials so that sn importer acting
iD good aith, but who has made special study Of
the Mcxcan traiI, IS liable TO Iare as badly as the
man vino Is detected iu smuggling hr Zamacoua
may make hne speeches beor. the merchants OF New
York anu Cnicago TO induce commercial relations with
hexico but tney better not listen TO his siren
song Tor tbey will ind tner Ia tho shape
OF ueavy custom house dncs that the Mexican
tnorties place all SORTS obstacles IN the way OF
legitm ate commerce. German merchants alone, with
their pationI attention 10 detail skill
cumvenuDg toe hexicau customs auhorItlcs, have
been abe TO hold their ground IN tbis country. All
the Engiish havc lett ~ disgust and there only
two American houses at the capital Mr. Romero in
his perplexlty at the alarming increase snug
has called tor Tue suggestions OF tbc representatives
of large houses in TINS CITY to what measures
snoulu be adopted TO stop H. IL was IKE forming
council oi wolves 20 pfovide way and aDol-
ish sheep klning. For ''thoy all 40 IT,"
PROPOSED
But TO return 10 Ihs American invasons OF Mexican
territory. There ~ oonot tDat This rovcrnm
ABOUT clude convention with the UnIed states