The Portland daily press., 1878-08-19
MEXICAN TROUBLES.
The Mexican Minister Thinks
there is no Reason for War.
McKenzie'S Movements,
An Interview with the Mexican Minister.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 1S.-Senor Fam acona,
Mexican minister, having recently been asked
whether he aDtcip ted war. There seeming to
lie an impression that the United States and
Mexico were on the eve of serious complica-
tions, replid: By no means, President Diaz is
very anxious to preserve friendly relations with
the United States, and is doing everything in
his power to put down lawlessness on the
border, but the Mexican govern ment is like
this country in that respect. 1t cannot at all
times keep perfect order in outlying aud spare
~ settled states. have visited many parts of
the United States and have been brought into
contact with the best classes Of American
people, merchants and manufacturers, and 1
have found not the least sympatbey with those
who seek to provoke hostities between the
counrriee. On the CONTRARY there seems to be
the most sincere desire to preserve peace and
develop the commercial relations bstween the
two countries Since 174S there has been talk
about the Mexican depredations, SO much was
SAID and written upon the subject that at last
IN 1868, after 70 years agitation the mixed
commission agreed upon who should examine
and arbitrate all the claims for damages In
1876 the commission concluded its labors, with
the following result: In the class of robberies
by Mexlcans crossing the border during the
20 20 years between lS48 and 1868 there were only
% claims all told, 20 Of these amounting to
$4, 709,472 were disallowed, and five amounting
to $22,675 were allowed. In the class of
Indian depredations across the border from
1913 TO 1868 there were ten claims aggregate ng
$445,S29. OF this immense sum but 1862 was
allowed by the commission. Other classes
were put in by Americans living in Mexico
who had lost their property, been injured in
body or subjected to fore ed loans; their claims
amounted to over $470,O00,000. There were
831 OF these claims dismissed and 1856 amount
ing to $4,125,622 We're allowed. No one has
disputed the impartiality of the umpires; yet
this is the result of 20 years depredations,
about which so much has been said.
NEW YORK, Aug IS.
A San Antonio special says Mckenzie is af-
ter Aerola who raded Texas last week. Nc.
KeLze has 1000 men, four pieces of artillery
while Mckenzie is proceeding one way Lieut.
Bulls has gone another and will strike Sara
gosss or Santa Rosa.
A Washington special says that when Gen.
Ord left last month it was understood that
Mckenzie should CROSS into Mexico on the next
provocaton and should take large force and
that he was not to report to Gen. Ord until
something decisive was accomplished. The
force now with Mckenzie comprzss 10 COM
panies of cavalry, ID companier of infantry,
one battery and a section of another of artil-
lery. Col. Shafner commands the infantry.
Capt. Young the cavalry and Capt Wilson the
artillery,
GALVESTON, Texas, Aug. 18.-A News spec.
ial from Eagle Pass says: MacKep zie's forces
on Saturday, after crossing the river, surround
ed Newtown, but Auresla. whom the Ameri-
cans were after, escaped. All the Mexican
troops at Pedras Negras, about 100, have gone
up the river, and have been ordered to skirm-
ish with the Americans, but to avoid general
engagement