Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1886-07-29
TheTrouble with Mexico.

Mr.. A. K. Cutting, an American citizen,
who is also an editor, was so indiscreet as to
comment unfavorably on Mexican citizen.
The Mexican authorities of FL Paso del Norte
snapped up Mr.. Cutting, at the instance OF
the aggrieved citizen, and put him in prison.
Mr.. Cutting claimed the protection of United
States Consul Brigham, who at once demand
ed his release. The municipal Mexican
authorities paid not the slightest attention to
the demand, and Consul Brigham reported
the case to Washington. The state govern
ment of chihuahua, finding matters getting
little warm, interposed and directed the
release of the imprisoned editor on bail. To
the astonishment of the Mexicans Mr.. Cut
ting refused to go out ON bail, preferring to
remain and take his chances unless he could
go out as free American citizen. To make
matters worse Mexican made himself very
offensive to the American consul because of
his interference in behalf of Cutting, and
this led to another protest from the consul,
this time on behalf of the American eagle,
insulted in his person as its representative.
1t was the expectation of the Chihuahuan
officials, evidently, that Mr.. Cutting would
have accepted the offer to go out on bail and
then made tracks across the border, in which
case the matter would have been dropped.
Finding this scheme did not work they tried
to even up things by arresting the Mexican
who insulted Consul Brigham and putting
him in the same Jail that held Cutting. But
that did not release Cutting or placate Brig
ham. Renewed representations were sent to
Washington and the Mexican government
was called upon to interfere. Meantime ex-
citement ran high on both sides of the bor-
der. Mexican troops, understood to be state
and not federal, are massing at Ell Paso del
Norte, and the Texan people are feverishly
awaiting the arrival of United States troops
to effect counter-demonstration and pre-
vent a feared invasion from the Mexican
side. There are good many Americans in
Mexico engaged in railway and mining enter
prises undertaken with American capital,
and there is much alarm among these.
1t must be admitted that the situation is
far from satisfactory. There has been for
some time great bitterness of feeling among
the people of southwestern Texas and those
of northwestern Mexico. Charges and
counter charges of raiding across the border
have been banded from one side to the other.
The murder of Captain Crawford was due to
this feeling of hostility, all the evidence 60
ing to show that it was deliberate and wan
ton murder and not mere mistake as
claimed by the Mexican troops. Nothing,
probably, would suit the Texans better than
a foray across the border by United States
troops supported by volunteers, and the pre-
sent situation offers an opportunity for such
a foray. On the other hand, the Mexicans
appear to be "spoiling for a fight" Just
now they are threatening to work of their
belligerent energies by fighting each other,
revolutionary movements being on foot in
the border states east of Chihuahua. The
demand of our government upon the federal
government of Mexico may, therefore, fail of
reply for one of two reasons
The present central government may be
afraid to jeopardize its power in the border
states by making and unpopular demand.
Or it may conclude that the way to consoli-
date its power is to get into quarrel with
its northern neighbor and so fire the hearts of
the revolutionists with patriotism and hatred
of the foreigner.
The situation is far more critical than that
of the fisheries dispute with our northern
neighbors when it was at its worst, but it is
not time yet to give the command to "6x
."-PLain Dealer.