The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-04-17
Uneasy EiexicO.

Uneasy heXicO.
The least WHISPER of uneasineSs in
Mexico becomes at once abSorbingly
interesting to us on this side of the
Rio Grande, to the government gener-
ally, but to Texas more especially.
Our near neighborhood and close SYM
pathy with both the government and
people of Mexico, no less than the |
large investments made by our people |
there in railroad enterprises and min
ing in stock-raising and agri-
cultural operations, all contribute |
to awaken lively interest in every |
circumstance, no matter how trivial,
which disturbs, even for moment,
the quiet and order of that country.
The stamp act recently enacted by the
Mexican congress, receiving the sane
ton of the executive branch of the
government, is nearly as oppressive
and quite as unpopular, it seems, as
was that famous act which lost con-
tinent to England. 1t IS more OPP
pressive than the stamp acs which
were recognized here as war measures,
and justified alone upon that ground.
OF course disorder was anticipated,
but it is quite plain that congress did
not recognize the full significance of
the somewhat vigorous protests made
during the pending of the measure,
or rather the series of measures af-
fecting tremendously existing COM
mercial enterprises and preventing
absolutely the future commercial de-
velopment of the country. Had they
done so, the position had certain
ly not been taken. The evident
disposition in certain quarters to re-
cede from the line is tantamount to
an expression of such regret. How
ever there is absolutely no protection
there for American investment other
than that accorded to other nations
and to Mexican merchants and bust
ness men themselves. A joint guar
antee is alone the remedy so far as
American investments go. Under
the broad shadow of that policy how
ever, other nationalities and even do
nestle merchants might find that
peace and safety denied them by their
own authorities.
1t is perhaps too late for anything
like serious move now upon the part
of our congress to prevent or stay dis
order from this late course,-they will
have to work out their own escape as
best they may, but the occurrence of
this apprehension should teach us that
the grave interests wehold in common
with our neighbors on the sunset side
of the Rio Grande should be cared for
by some special, fair and broad-viewed
measure, such as treaty jointly guar
anteeing the safety of American in
vestments in Mexico. This would
give our government the right to send
troops to the disturbed districts to COW
er property and improvements placed
there by American capital. This
would be the soundest poll
cy for Mexico and indeed this
is recognized by the more advanced
and liberal among them, and they
warmly favor it. Indeed, the first
suggestion of the policy came from
Mexican gentlemen. It strikes us
that the present is of all times the
best for the friends of the policy of
joint guarantee to act. 1t can be done
with great effect by taking the imi-
nency of trouble there as a basis, and
and it is very fortunate that congress
happens to be in session, so that delay
need not occur.
In adopting this policy, should con-
gress be wise enough to do so, it will
have the satisfaction of knowing that
it is acting only in the line of the best
good of both republics. 1t is confer
ring quite as much advantage upon
Mexico as it claims for itself, and the
general cause of law and order, peace
and quiet, as well as the material de-
velopment of Mexico, is effectively
served by it. We trust that the
friends of the border, the friends OF
Mexico in the congress of the United
States will urge this matter earnestly.
Whenever the affair takes form and
shape here, the Mexican government
will, almost without doubt, fall into
line and adopt similar policy. There
is every good reason why the attempt
should be made, and not single sound
one why it should not.