Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-07-20
The Shaw Outrage.


The brutal attack Of the Mexican mob
on Rev Mr.. Shaw, in Monterey, while in
charge Of the American Consulate in that
CITY. raises a doubt whether a continu-
ance Of the amicable relations between
this country and Mexico is probable.
For a year or more prominent men IN
this country, who have closely watched
the course OF events in Mexico, have en-
tertained the impression that sooner OF
later trouble with Mexico is inevitable.
The ruling class in Mexico is friendly to
the United States, but the great mass OIL
the people are bitterly hostile. When
the Mexican commercial treaty ques-
tloD was under discussion last win
ter. the unfriendliness Of the common
people became very marked. The lead
inc men Of Mexico are engaged in all
kinds Of schemes with American
Spectators for enriching themselves.
Nearly all Ofthem, in one way and another,
are interested in the grants of lands and
mines. and the various concessions which
the Mexican Congress has made to Amer
can companies. 1t is to their interest,
therefore, that the two countries should
remain on the best of terms. So long as
they are promised fortunes they care very
little for the welfare Of the State. The
common people, however, view the situa-
ton differently. They see their
country burdened with debt and
all the revenues absorbed to
enrich a few American and Mexican
capitalists. Although they may eventually
be benefited by the building of railways
and the opening Of mines they do not be-
Iieve they will be, and they naturally re-
volt against this condition Of affairs.
There is no organized opposition, but no
opportunity of exhibiting their hostility
is lost. Without organization they can
not hope to change the policy Of the gov
| eminent. They can only embarrass the
/ government by such acts as that at Mon
| terev. Acts Of that character may embroil
| the United States and Mexico i'm a war If
| repeated too often. Should the hostility
| to American enterprise take an organized
/ form, under able leaders, a revolution
| would be the result. In that case war
| between this country and Mexico could
| hardly be avoided. Americans have too
much money invested in Mexico to per
nit their property to be destroyed or con-
/ fiscated without an effort to protect it.
Indeed, this government is bound to see
| that the rights of her citizens in Mexico
| are protected. In the event of a
war it is question whether
/ the boundary between the two countries
would be preserved. There would be a
! strong sentiment in favor of absorbing
] Mexico, but it is doubtful If it would be
| strong enough to bring about annexation
| Undoubtedly American railway interests
! in Mexico would lean in that direction
| These interests have not the strongest
| confidence in the stability of the Mexican
! Government a revolution is liable to
occur at any time, and jeOpardize these
| interests. Mexico is rich in undevelOped
| resources. and American capital would
| flow there if it were certain that it would
/ be protected. This uncertainty Will
| strengthen the sentiment in this country
| in favor of annexation as American in
| terests in Mexico increase. The Shaw
| outrage will no doubt be amicably ad-
justed, but every outrage of that kind,
! however abjectly the Mexican Govern
ment may apologize, Will hasten the time
when strong party in this country will
! demand American interference in Next
/ can affairs.