Arizona weekly citizen., 1881-11-06
THE SONORA TROUBLE.
An Interview with Don Demstrio Velasco Report of the Trouble at caborca and the Motives Of tho Participants.

An Interview with Don Demet1io foAAsNS N-'
 Report of the Trouble at cabOrca and the
 Motives Of tho Participants.
 There having been reports freely clrcu- lated in Tucson for the past week, and published in the papers of this city Tn relation to mining troubles in Sonora, a CITIZEN reporter this morning called up- on Mir. Demetrio Velaseo, who IS m con stant communication with prominent people in all portions of Sonora and Chi- huahua, for such information she could give concerning the troubles. NIT. Ve- lasco expressed himself willing to impart such information as he possessed regard- ing the matter, and without further pre- liminaries he was asked if he was at all acquainted with Messrs. Borquez x Gar cia, of whom a morning paper speaks as having conspired with Governor Ortiz to secure the Santa Felicita mines.
 MT. Yelasco.-I am agent for the nrm of Borquez < Garcia and transact aE their business in this city, and am famll- jar with their mining transactions through my orders to forward supplies to the minee. The gentlemen m ques- ton are well known in Tucson, having lived here fifteen years ago. They are honorable gentlemen and do not seek 10 increase their worldly wealth by any but legitimate means.
 RepOrter-Do you know anything Of their trouble with the Caborca Mining Company?
 MT. V.-Yes: Borquez lS Garcia were the owners of the CabOrca mines, and sold them to Charles Hoffman with a reservation that they should have the exclusive right of furnishing supplies for the mine and miners at q fair price. Mir. Hoffman after wards formed the Caborca Mining Company, and transferred the mines to them. Affairs continued amicably for q year and half, up to last March. when the company, without notice to MT. Bor- quez & Garcia, made heavy purchases of goods in San Francisco, and refused longer to buy of them according to con- tract The firm at once instituted suit against the mining company to recover damages upon violated contract.
 Rep.-Is this litigation likely to be very protracted?
 Mir. V.-By no means. I have letters received but day or two ago which state that negotiations for compromise are in progress, with prospect of speedy settlement of the trouble.
 Rep.-Mr. Velasco, what is the cause of the difficulty between BOrquez < Gar cia and the Santa Fehcita Company?
 Mir. V.-BorqueZ & Garcia own n con- siderable interest in their mines, but the company has the control. They had a contract with the company for certain privileges, which were accorded them under the company's first superinten- dent The last superintendent repu- diated them altogehther and proceeded tO work the mine without even consult ing the firm upon any question. A mill was built of costly machinery among the trees, without any building to protect it from the weather, and the mine was work ell with the evident intention of freezing out !" Borquez X Garcia. Offers were made them by the company's represen- tative of insignificant sums for their in- terest in the very valuable properties, and every means resorted to to obtain their interest for a tritie. The firm concluded that 1t was "dog eat dog" and watched the opportunity to get even. Having positive evidence of the viola tiDn of a mining ordinance by the com pany, they selected trusty man and had him jump" the mine, Tn order to protect their own interests.
 Rep.-It IS stated in the Star that the company furnished a large amount of evidence that no violation had occurred, and that Gov. Ortiz acted arbitrarily in not noticing the protest. Is that state ment correct:
 Mir. V.-That statement presents an exaggerated report of but one side of the matter. The proofs of the violation were incontrovertible and sufficient to war rant the action of the Governor. If the company feels aggrieved, it can resort to the Courts and the matter will be thoroughly investigated and properly adjudicated.
 Rep.-Mr. Velasco, what, in your Opin- ion, Is the object of the exaggeration of matters that are SO easily capable of proof f?
 Mr. N.-Simply to frighten away Americans and make the Mexican au- thorities believe that American capital and enterprise will be withheld from Sonora, and thus intimidate them into a compliance with unjust schemes. There are sixty American companies operating in Sonora, and this IS the first trouble that has occurred. Where can you find as many large mining companies oper- ating Tn Arizona with as little litigation?
 Rep.-Mr. Velasco, you have doubt less read an extract in last evenings CITIZEN, taken from the San Francisco Exchange, intimating that BOrquez < Garcia were parties to an attempt to waylay the stage to Sonora and kidnap three prominent California mining men largely interested in Caborca, and hold them by force pending a settlement of the question?
 Mir. V.-Yes, I read the article, but 1t IS not worth moments thought. BOr- quez < Garcia are gentlemen and not cowboys. That stage was stopped by white men-cowboys. Had Borquez & Garcia desire to stoOp to such a crime they naturally would have hired MeIicans to do the deed. Their connection with that circumstance is the merest nonsense. They have no desire to do more than to protect their property and their rights, and are al- ways ready and willing to abide by the decision of the Courts, be it what it may.
 Rep.-Will Borquez & Garcia endorse your statement in these matters!
 MT. V.-NOt only will they endorse 1t, but so soon as the mail can go there and back, they will forward full statement over their signatures, accompanied with copies of contracts, etc, bearing on the matter, and give them to the public unless the prospective compromise is sooner effected, in which case it would not be worth their while noticing it. The charges made by the Star are reckless and sweeping and cannot be supported by the facts. and do great injustice to an honorable firm, and an upright Governor and to the fair spirit of the Mexican people.
 Territorial Topics.
 Six thousand dollars worth of silver