The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-05-09
General CrOoll's Raid.

POSSIBILITY TBAT HE WILL. BE COURT
MARTIALED on HIS RETURN FROM MEXICO.
A Washington special to the Phlladcl-
phia Times says: 1t is not beyond the
range OF probability that General Crook
may wind up his little iaunt into Mexico
with court-martial. At any rate the De-
rartment has washed its hands Of him and
he is going ahead upon his personal re-
sponsiblity. There has been good deal
OF talk about the matter, aud among other
things it has been alleged that the Secre-
tary Of War allowed Crook TO 90 ahead
with preparations for his expedition till
the last moment, when his cOuntenance was
withdrawn in the order OF eight days AGO,
which was delivered Just before the Gene
raj crossed the border. The facts are quite
TO the contrary. The War Department
never countenanced the expedition, be-
cause it had no knowledge OF what Crook
was doing. lie organized the campaign
upon his own responsibility. Day after
DAY the press dispatches from Arizona an
nounced that Crook was organizing for Il
raid across the border. Finally, although
not a word came from Crook himself, the
Secretary came to the conclusion that
something must be going on. Day after
day he inquired ii anything had been
heard from Crook. The report was
always the same: " Nothing" A week
passed. and on Saturday the Secretary deter
mined not to LET the matterproceed further
without putting the Department right. and
he sent the dispatch reminding Crook that
no crossing OF troops into Mexico could
take place except in accordance with the in
ternational agreement. Crook replied that
the message just reached him at the bound
ary, ard that nothing would be done in
cOntraventiOn OF the agreement. With this
Crook went on and has placed himself in a
very delicate position. The Department
having gone 50 far as to call his attention to
the law, the offence, il there proves TO be
anv in the end. rests with the General per-
sonally.
The agreement between this Govern
ment and Mexico was that the troops OF
either might cross the border when in close
pursuit Of hostiles, and upon so crossing
the senior American officer should COM
mand the combined forces Of both nations
when upon the territory of the United
States. and the senior Mexican officer the
combined forces when upon Mexican soil.
The crossing was only TO be allowed on The
part OF either, however, when III hot pur-
SUIT OF an enemy. Application was made
during the late trouble for a modification
Of the agreement, which practically would
allow our forces to cross and enter upon Il
campaign. but the Mexican Minister here
declined to take steps in the matter, saying
it must be referred to the Mexican Senate.
II is not believed that the hostiles who
had retreated across the border two weeks
before stood on the line making grimaceS
at General Crook while he was organizing
a force Of some two hundred Indian scouts
and a company Of soldiers to take mp the
hot trail. The fact is understood to be
that there were no Indians in sight when
he crossed nor were their whereabouts
known. Ii so, the Mexican authorities
have distinct power under the agreement
20 seize General Crook end his men. take
their horses and arms Of every description
away from them, and march them back
into the territory Of the United states:
Again, ii the Mexican Government should
complain Of Crooks invasion in violation
Of an international agreement, the Presi-
dent would be obliged to take cogn'zancc
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