The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1886-08-13
FREDERICK W. BAKER, Editor.
Cur Relations With Mexico.

The trouble between the United States
and Mexico is not yet settled. The Mex
lean general government, at the head of
which is President Diaz is apparently willing
and anxious to make any reasonable conces-
sions TO the United States, but the hold it
has over the State of Chihuahua, where the
wrong complained of was done, is very
slight, and interference by the federal author.
ity might cause q revolution.
Editor Cutting is in a bad way. He has
been tried, found guilty, sentenced to pay a
fine of 5000 and to one years Imprisonment
at hard labor. When we are told that he
will be allowed only five cents day for his
support while imprisoned, the severity of his
punishment may be realized. In addition,
the Mexicans say that the moment their
country is invaded from Texas they will cut
off Editor Cuttings head and send it to the
Americans. That would be the unkindest
cut of all.
1t would be midsummer madness TO go to
war with Mexico merely on account of Gut
ting. The fellow, from all accounts, is seal
hard labor in Mexican prison, but in arrest
ing, imprisoning, trying, convictng and pun
ishing him Mexico has acted upon princi-
pile which the United States should not and
will not recognize
Cutting published in Mexico an article IL
beling rival editor. For this he was justly
arrested and compelled to make retraction
or be punished He backed down, confessed
himself liar and went about his business.
few days afterwards, in n paper published
in Texas, he reiterated his charges against the
other editor For this, apparently, he did
not render himself amenabe to the laws of
Texas or of the United States, many privi-
leges being accorded to wild western Jour
nalism. Unfortunately for him, however, he
crossed the border and was arrested by the
Mexican authorities, under law which
makes citizens of other countries liable to ar
rest and punishment in Mexico for offences
committed in their own country against
Mexican citizens
1t is against this principle the United
States protests, and if it were recognized no
American would find it safe to travel outside
OF the United States. Any Mexican whom
he might offend might trump up a charge
against him, laying the scene of it in the
United States, and if he were found in Next
co might cause him to be sent to prison.
This has been done again and again in Next
co, but the sufferers, mostly commercial tray
elers, have made no complaints, lest the bus
mess OF their employers might be injured
War is grim and terrible way of settling
disputes between nations, and every peaceful
effort should and doubtless will be exhausted
before resorting to it to bring the Mexicans
to recognize the absurdity of their position.
But they must be made to see and acknowl-
edge it, The United States can never con-
sent to the principle that her citizens may be
arrested in Mexico and tried by Mexican law
for offences alleged to have been committed
in their own country
AT any rate the affair may safely be left
with President Cleveland and his cabinet.
They will maintain the honor and dignity of
our country and do nothing rashly to pre-
cipitate war with our neghboring repub-
lie