New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-05-10
MEXICAN DISORDERS.

The reported disorders on the line of the
Mexican Central Railroad will surprise no one.
The trouble at Queretaro yesterday, which re-
suited in the death of three bandits, fortunately
caused no great delay to trains. But
the very existence of a railroad in country
hitherto so little subject to the restraints of law
rs Mexico has been implies more or less
trouble. 1t may be assumed, as dispatches re-
mort. that the Mexican Government is willing to
do all it can to prevent destruction Of property
and life by interruption of the new road. But,
unhappily, the Mexican Government Is not only
much embarrassed pecuniarly and threatened
with revolutionary outbreaks on account OF
measures to which it has recently resorted; 1t
is radically weak in the most vital respect, be-
cause it has never been able to secure obedience
to ifs laws. or to protect the lives and property
of its own people, in large part OF the country
The lawless disorder which has done so much
to Drevent the settlement of Mexico and the de-
velopment of its great and varied natural re-
sources, now becomes more conspicuous and to
Americans more important, when it is con-
fronted with the railroad.
II must be added that other causes of irrita-
ton are not wanting. A considerable part Of
the Mexican population has been bitterly op-
posed to the intrusion of capitalists and railroad
builders from this country. Partly because the
political consequences of an increase OF Ameri-
can influence are feared, partly because the
| clerical and other influences look with appre-
| hension on a change so important, partly be-
cause the people shrink from Anglo-Saxon
| fidelity to and enforcement Of law, this feeling
of antagonism has existed ever since railroad
| building was begun in Mexico by United States
canitalists. A later but not less serious diff
culty has arisen in the disposition of the Gov
eminent itself to resort to arbitrary measures in
| the treatment of corporations and traders,
which persons accustomed to the equal protec-
ton of United States laws cannot be expected
to endure without strong protest. The fact
that appeals have already been made to the
American Minister, and that he has been
obliged to protest with great eamestness in
| some cases has not been overlooked.
| Possibly because of the irritation of feeling,
there seems to have been of late growing dis
nositim of Mexican officials to pursue rather
| high-handed course in dealing with Americans.
Not long ago. an instance on the Rio Grandc
attracted some notice few days ago, accord
! ing to reports, a Mexican official directed his
| deputies, who were sent 10 make captures Oh
| shizurcs to board the trains of a railway with
out paying fare, and to ride or fight" The
other day a story of gross outrage to an American
captain came from TampicO, where vessel
| from Galveston was seized and the American
flag hauled down by Mexican authorities under
circumstances which will probably be investi-
| gated The American Consul Is said to have
| been treated with indignity and denied the
right to be present at the trial of the mpris
oned captain. Of course there may be two sides
to each Of these stories, and We are apt to hear
the side least favorable to the Mexican officials
but all who know how the laws have hithert,
been administered in that country viii be pre-
pared TO hear Of serious difficulties, as American
rights come more frequently into conflict Will
Mexican habits
The relations between the two countries Az
going to need much greater attention ana care