The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1883-05-18
OUR BORDER TROUBLES

OUR BORDER TROUBLES.
II is an unfortunate fact for US that our
statesmen are ali of the order who must
have tneir attention directed to the neces-
sity Tor measure by some notable public
occurrence. 1t seems impossible for them
10 anticipate, to provide In advance for the
settlement or prevention of trouble that
everybody else is convinced must happen
sooner or later. This procrastination, this
inability or neglect to anticipate national
and international difficulties is most strik-
ingly illustrated in the handling and gen
erai management by our government of
our border troubles with the Indians and
Mexicans, and the question of international
Import that grows out of them Year after
year our intercourse with the Mexcans and
our differences with the Apache Indians
nave been multiplying. The territories of
New Mexico and Arizona and the western
portions OF this state have been filling up
rapidly with population; railroads have
crossed the Mexican froRtier and the COM
mercial intercourse between Mexico and the
United States has begun in earnest and
yet not step has been taken by this gov.
eminent to so modify international laws
by treaty to meet this changed order of
things with the single exception of the
treaty now pending ratification by our
national senate, and which only refens to
the interchange of lew commodities.
Fhe real troubles, the question of the
pursuit by troops and citizens of the re-
spective countries of thieves, Indians and
criminals into the territory of the other I'M
der such free and easy circumstances and
conditions as to put IA weapon into the
hands OF both governments for the eifectual
aud speedy settlement of these troubles on
the border that are doing so much to re-
lard the progress Of all our southwestern
frontier has been left severely alone or con-
tlnued by agreement under the stiff and
obstructive principles and deter.
mutations of international law.
The matter ms it now stands
has received fresh interest from the ex.
perences within the past few days of GEN |
ERAL CROOK on the one hand, and the Mexi- |
can troops on the other, in their efforts TO
round up" ami destroy the hostile
Apaches. AS the case now stands, the
troops Of each country must look after its
own territory exclusively, and can only act
by agreement and not under general orders |
Inc absence OF telegraphs and railways, the |
broad expanse of the country to be ira |
versed, and the old-time jealousy between
the TWO governments, render such de-
pendence an excet dinghy slim one Tor any
thing like vigorous and effective work either
against Indians or rustlers, or criminals of |
Whatever character. 1t is a physical i'm
possibility to reach that understanding
that will enable the pursuers under two In.
dependent commanders and on opposite
sides of line II at cannot he
crossed, to effect the capture and rout of
s'rohg' daring ana cunning foe, who know
no law but the necessities of the present.
thus 1T is that the border troubles instead
OF diminishing increase with years and
greater population. II has not been but n
lew days since it was rumored that G ENrR.L
CROOK would be court martialed If ne
should venture to disobey instructions and
follow the Indians into Mexico. 1t is high
Time that these clumsy international re.
strictiohs were being so modified as to suit
the changed condition of affairs on the bor-
der, and ensure greater yicor and despotch
IN the contest between the good and evil |
elements on the frontier, on the part of
those whose duty it is to enforce law and or
DER. we have in oil the territory named
grand domain, rich in all the gifts OF fer
tlie SOIL, beds of mineral and magnificent
climate and scenery, a domain that must
some day be one of the most prospe |
rous and powerful sections of the
American union; but it is developing
put slowly and falling behind the leys
favored regions of the northwest simply
oy reason of the existence of these border
troubles Travel and extended labor and
enthusiastic efforts in opening up the coun.
Try TO The outside world have fallen off
rather than increased recently owing to the
dlfhculties mentioned. In a few, very few
years at most, the necessity for practically
wiping out the border line will be even
greater than at present and yet our govern
m"nt and even the representatives of this
southwestern country in the national conn
GUS sit idly by and wait for the slow pro.
cesses OF frontier growth and pioneer civil.
zation to present practical solution of the
problem. There ought to be a thorough
overhauling and remodeling of all
the laws of this country and
Mexico touching the social civil
and political intercourse of the two
peoples ON the border, questions that are
not settled by the pending treaty. and
we must again urge the Importance of
prompt action in the premises by the Fed
eral authorities upon our own citizens and
national representatives. Untn changes
are made In the present clumsy mode of
treating the matters we may look for moth
ing else but a continuance and a steady
growth indeed of the difficulties and dan.
gers that are now so conspicuous and that
are now so retarding the increase of popul.-
ton and material development in one of
the most promising fields in the Union.
10 us Of the southwest, the question is
one OF tho most important to which nj.
tention IN this section could be directed.