The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-07-28
A MEXICAN WAR POSSIBLE.

Something About the Outrages That Are Daily
Committed Upon American Citizens.
Special to the Indianapolis Journai.
WASHINGTON, July 81 People who study in
ternatonal affairs believe now. more than ever,
that the differences between the United States
and Mexico will not be settled till there is war;
For the first time in many years the executive
branch of the government is greatly stirred up
over the failure of our sister republic to release
certain Americans held there in the filthy pris-
ons upon technicalities and charges of which
they are not guilty. A great deal Of feeling ia
being created in the circles where most is known
of che condition of affairs, and the probabilities
are that scrimmage would result, in short or
der, if we had fighting men at the heads of our
affairs
The objections to the course of Mexico are not
based upon the specific abuses and outragea
found in the imprisonment of the Texas editor,
Cutting, and two or three others, bat the general
policy prevailing. Under the laws Of Mexico,
Americans sojourning there on any mission may
be and are thrown into horrible dungeons upon
the slightest pretext, and the party at whose in
stance the arrest is made can control the
time Of imprisonment by simply paying tha
more than dollar week. Then, when ths
prisoner is finally released, there is no redress.
The courts afford no place for righting wrong
perpetrated upon foreigners. If an American in
Mexico displeases native he is arrested and
placed in Jail, and there he remains with some
trfling false charge against him, till the person
who has had him imprisoned chooses to let him
60. There is no preliminary examination or
trial, as in this country. and the bail procedure
and habeas corpus, for some reason, do not ap.
ply there, especially to Americans.
treaty with Mexico FOR the purpose of giving
American subjects more speedy trial is talked OF
in the event the efforts now pending for the re-
lease Of our prisoners fail. The suggestion has
frequently been made in diplomatic circles that
the procedure for criminal trials in Mexico
should be changed. especially as they applied ia
Americans, but the reply is repeated that Amer
leans are no better in Mexico than Mexieans
and that the same law, and no other, applies to ali
people within the borders of the republic.
Secretary Bayard said to-day, in speaking Of
the Cutting case, that he had doubt whatever
that the Mexican authorities would do what was
right in the matter. The somewhat unsettled
condition of Mexican affairs just at present
might, he thought, prevent prompt action in the
case, but he had no doubt that pending negotia
tions will have satisfactory termination. He
did not think the massing of Mexican troops near
Paso del Norte had any hostile significance but
was more than likely movement against local
insurgents. The newspaper accounts of the sit
uation at Paso Gel Norte were in his opinion,
exaggerated. irresponsible individuals, he
Al i
At the War Department it was lea rned that
no additional troops have been ordered to the
Mexican frontier, and no apprehension Of trouble
is entertained. The matter was the subject Of
discussion at the Cabinet meeting to-day