The Lake Charles echo. [volume] (Lake Charles, Parish of Calcasieu, La.) 1876-1898, 1882-03-11
WgnFEronds I'm HhGxicO-A E-E'S't'ss"
HSIe War.

From the n. 0. Times-DemocrhtJ
Yesterday It'd reporter had The
pleasure of meeting Gen. a. McN'a, d"
prominent officer in the Mexican army,
who is Ell route TO Washington on
official business. Knowing that Ten.
Mexia had many interesting facts IN
his pUssessiun, the runorter requested
an interview, which was kindly grant-
ed.
"Gcnoral," inquired the reporter,
"can YOU furnish the 1'imes-Democrat
with some information concerning the
present condition of Mexico"
"Yes, sir The country is now
quiet, and the prosperous condition OF
the crops, together with the active
mining operations now going on, has
riven new impetus to business, and
property in the City Of Mexico has
increased in value two-foId. Through
out the country the condition of the
lower classes is considerably improved,
and they are much better fed and
clothed than heretofore"
"What progress are the railway lines
makingl"
"Well, sir, the Mexican Central has
been completed and is open for bust
ness to sQueretaro, 100 miles north Of
the City of Mexico. The Mexican
Oriental road, of which Gen. Grant is
president, has completed its survey
from Vera Cruz TO the City of Mexico
and 0iaca, and the construction of the
line will be pushed with al possible
speed. When this line is completed
with the present. English line from
Vera Cruz to the capita of the repub-
lie. The road from TuXpan to the
City of Mexico, which is one of the
most important in the country, is
being rapidly built, and thirty miles Of
the road is now being operated
''Is there any truth in the report
that the Palmer-Snllivan combination
has abandoned the construction of its
lines" !
Sin reply to yonr question cannot
make positive statement. All that
I know is, very grave rnmors have been
circulated to shc eff ct that the com
bination has failed. A short time ago
the company had large force Of men
at work. but had not opened their line
for traffic, except a short branch road
which rims parallel with the Mexican
Central"
"What is the state of the contro,
versy between Mexico andGuatemalai'
''NeFy critical, indeed. The Rresi-
dent has called an extra session OF
Congress in order to decide what
course to pursue"
allow did the trouble arise :"
"FFom the fact that Guatemala de
mands two States of the Mexican
republic as having been part of the
Spanish intendeney. The troops OF
Guatemala have crossed the frontier
and occupied one of the border States,
I in which they DESTROYED n Iarg" amount
of valuable property belonging to
/ Senior Mathis Romero, formerly Minis
ter to the United States, and who is
now on a special mission to Washing
ton concerning the trouble"
'Do yontIiIlk the trouble will re
suit in a war between the two govern
meuts"
Il cannot sec how such an issuc can
be avoided. The Mexican government
has already sent a division Of troops
to watch the frontier and to prevent
an invasion. My impression is that
/ hOstilities will commence in short
time, and although We do not propose
to be the aggressors, we feel that it is
our Gnty to protect our territory"
How many troops can Guatemala
put in the field, and how are they Of
ticercd and armed"
THE standing army of Guatemala
amounts to 5000 men, but | suppose
in case of a war they can put 10000
men in the field. The army is pro
rided with Whitney rifles and two
batteries Of krnPP guns. There are
two or three American officers in the
army who are very good, but the rest
OF them do not amount to much
F"lll not all the Central American
States ally themselves with Guatemala
II a war sehsnes with AeNicoF
~ IS; such Is the prevailing impress
sion; but 1t Is safe to say that the al
, ,i a = res VIII not 2, amount to mere