Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1878-07-09

| expect to be done, but have reason to be-
heve that energetic measures are being held
under consideration by the powers that be.
THE ARMY SUFFICIENT.
as the army now in Texas sufficient to
protect the border along the Rio GrandeY
"No, the army is not sufficient. The whole
force in Texas, according to the last report,
was only between three and four thousand
men on paper, and of these there were cap
able of service only about one thousand nine
hundred men, who are to protect border
one thousand miles IN length. But only
portion Of that force can be used for that
purpose. We have on our northern border IN
Texas very long line exposed to Indian
depredations. The Indians, who only few
years ago constituted the most warlike tribes,
like the Comanches and Kioways, are now
collected on reservations on our northern
frontier. But they have not changed their
nature. They occasionally get away from
their reservations and 90 on raids, and the
slightest proyocation might again turn the
whole of these warlike tribes into active enc
mics. They have committed murders lately
in the neighborhood of Fort Davis and Fort
Stockton. The total force of five thousand
which is intended to be stationed in Texas Is,
therefore, entirely inadequate to the protec-
ton of the whole frontier The present force
is lamentably inadequate"
''What do you think of the bill reducing
the army, proposed during the last session OF
congress?"
Under such circumstances the reduction
Of the army would have been a crime, and 1T
is fortunate that the measure was resisted
and failed. l don't believe, however, it is
necessary to enlarge the army at present;
though its distribution could be improved by
placing more troops in Texas. But 1t is my
firm opinion that if there are many riots this
year, or any extensive Indian war In the
north, and at the same time the trouble on
the Mexican border, volunteers will be called
out to make up for the ineficiency, or, rather.
inadequate numbers of the regular army.
am not in favor of an increase of the army
as regular institution, but there is no doubt
that extraordinary emergencies will occur to
make temporary increase necessary"
THE REMEDY.
"What steps should the administration
take to stop these raids into our territory?"
''In my opinion the Mexican government
will never restrain them. In my opinion the
only efficient course for Us to take would be
for our troops to occupy belt of country in
Mexico along the Rio Grande. and, without
any view to permanent occupancy or the ac-
QUESTION of territory, take the policing of that
country into our own hands, and hang few
hundred of the murderers and robbers there,
by due process of law. Even Hamilton Fish,
peaceable as he was, recommended this
course, and attempted to get the Mexican
government to consent to the temporary &C.
cupancy by American troops of a belt of
country On the Mexican side of the river.
The Mexican government steadily refuses, as
they have refused, any and all propositions
that would look to an effectual settlement of
these troubles. If necessary, l believe this
should be done without their consent, giving
them notice that it is not our intention to ac-
quire the country, but that we are compelled
in self-defense to occupy 1T temporarily