Smyrna times., 1889-04-24
Selling Lower California.

various stories, more or less sensa-
uOnal, are in circulation regarding an
organized attempt by filibusters to
invade Lower California. set IN a nro-
vlsional government, and seek admis-
SION TO the United States. One of
Cnese even represents that large
secret organization already exists.
WIN It's headquarters In this citv
winch IS backed by millions of money,
ana IS liable to be heard from at
almost any moment as annexin0
Lower California by a sudden upris7
ing OF thousands of men in buckram
IheSe tales must not be taken too
seriously. 1t Is extremely likely. how
| ever, That the recent reports of LARGE
discoveries of gold have stimulated
Che reckless class who are alwavs in
search OF riches and adventure IN
some Iawless scheme of this kind
ne border country is full of desnera-
uoes ana adventures who would like
hoIhlhg better than to attempt to
Wrest the control of the peninsula
from the sparse population, mostly of
inOhgrel Spaniards and Indians. now
llhabltng 1t, and offer it to the United
states. This would recall the DAYS of
Che 1eXan annexation andtbe MEXICAN
war, and would undoubtedly seem to
nolu Out similar promises of glory, on
a,. small scale. 1t would combine all
Cne charms of piracy, politics. mine |
ProsPecIing, and an Oklahoma spring
But forewarned is forearmed. and
we presume both the Mexican and
United States authorities will keen n
ciose watch upon the would-be fiH-
busters who may be lowering about
Uue coveted region. Our government
VIII certainly do all in its power TO
prevent any preparations on its own
sou for any such buccaneering exna-
dltlon Z, against a friendly power. But
Lhe plan which is said to have haan
Ihuef NJ contemplation, of penetrating
Ihe country singly as claim hunters
A"u tHen masslng at a precOncerted |
22ighal, might prove troublesome to the
'leAlcan Government, the region
Delhg remote and the population of a
oW order. These new boomers"
YOU'D not find, however, the welcome
u u washington they are Countino on
we are not likely to add to our terri
DRY by stealing. Our past record in
nat respect may be little shady bnt
Is likely to be kept clear in the ;
uture. Lower California would he /,
~ ~ na' ural and proper possession, but I
Ien we acquire 1t, it will be by hon {
- PufchaSe, and not through the fill a
ooters. !.
The resources and attractions of the f
erfltory are sufficient TO account for 7
ne zeal OF the prospectors, and to ius- =
ny lIs acquisition by legitimate means r
uU tnose who enter the peninsula in q
ne nope OF finding it a second El h
'oFado are likely to be disappointed 4
Is ABOUT one-tifth larger in area than f
ne State of New York, and. VARYING =
! "ldIn from thirty to $50 miles. is
bout $50 miles long Extending as If
oes through ten degrees of latitude
mas great variety of climate. The
alleys lying beside the volcanic
4nges that stretch along the PENN q
lIa are fertile where there is water \
nd irrigation produces good crons tf
mere 1t is carried on. Past attemnts g
colonization, however, have not al
cen successful. The mineral re. c.
'urces are undoubtedly considerable te
addition to the gold fields. which re
'e the subject of so much disnute at
lere are valuable deposits of salt. IN
,pper' argentiferous galenas etc sn
mere are also said to be rich guano
lands, which the flibusters are eager
reach and seize. er
Lower California is the natural an PC
'ndage of California, and its cession fu
ould have been part of the bargain hi
Guadalupe Hidalgo. It's eventual hi
QUESTION by the United States would an
EN- to be inevitable. The Gulf of M
'lltornla separates it almost entirely We
)m Mexico, and its natural approach by
land is through the territory of tn
e United States. Under these cir CO
instances destiny would seem to his
we marked it for our own, and it is wi
asonable to expect that steps will be
Ken some day to acquire it, as was
ntemplated at the time of the treaty. of
tn Mexico. The subject has recent Dc
been revived by California members Ph
Congress, and the rumors of possible on
Implications through the zeal of Dc
will doubtless direct re- Oh
wed attention to it.-N. Y. Tribune.
fNpipVD