New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-04-18
SEEING LoKER oALfFoRNIA.

Various Stories more or less sensational, are
in circulation regarding an organized attempt
by filbusters to invade Lower California set
up provisional government, and seek admis-
sion to the United States. One of these even
represents that large secret organization al
ready exists, with its headquarters in this CITY,
which is backed by millions Of money, and is
liable to be heard from at almost any moment
as annexing Lower California by sudden up
rising of thousands of men in bucHram. These
tales must not be taken too seriously. 1t is
extremely likely, however, that the recent re-
ports of large discoveries OF gold have stlmu'
lated the reckless class who are always in search
of riches and adventure to some lawless scheme
of this kind. The border country is full OF
desperadoes and adventures who would like
nothing better than to attempt to wrest the
control OF the peninsula from the sparse popu-
lation, mostly of mongrel Spaniards and In
dians. now inhabiting it, and offer it to the
limited States. This would recall the days Of
the Texan annexation and the Mexican war,
and would undoubtedly seem to hold out
similar promises Of glory, on small scale.
II would combine all the charms of piracy,
politics, mine prospecting and an Oklahoma
"spring opening"
But forewarned is forearmed and we presume
both the Mexican and United States authori-
ties will keep close watch upon the would-be
filibusters who may be lowering about the
coveted region. Our Government will GER
tainly do all in its power to prevent any prepa-
rations on its own soil for any such buccaneer-
ing expedition against friendly power. But the
plan, which is said to have been under conteni-
plation, of penetrating the country singly rs
claim-hunters, and then massing at precon-
certed signal, might prove troublesome to the
Mexican Government the region being remote
and the population of low order These new
"boomers'' would not find, however, the wei
come at Washington they are counting on. We
are not likely TO add to our territory by steal
ing. Our past record in that respect may be
little shady, but it is likely to be kept clear in
the future. Lower California would be our
natural and proper possession but when we ac-
auire it, it will be by honest purchase, and not
through the flibustering of buShwhackers and
freebooters.
The resources and attractions Of the ter
ritory are sufficient to account for the zeal Of
the prospectors, and TO justify it's acquisition
by legitimate means, but those who enter the
peninsula in the hope OF finding 1t a second FL
Dorado arc likely to be disappointed. IL is
about one-ffth larger in area than the State OF
New-YOrk, and, varying in width from thirty
to 100 miles, is about $50 Irles long. Ex-
tending as it does through ten degrees OF lati-
tude, it has q great variety Of climate. The
valleys lying beside the volcanic ranges that
stretch along the peninsula are fertile where
there is water, and irrigation produces good
crops where il Is carried on. Past attempts at
colonization, however, have not been success
full. The mineral resources are undoubtedly
considerable. in addition to the gold fields,
which are the subject Of 50 much dispute, there
are valuable deposits of salt, copper, ar
gentiferous galenas, etc. There are also said
10 be rich guano islands, which the flibusters
are eager to reach and seize,
Lower California is the natural appendage Of
California, and its ceSsion should have been q
part Of the bargain Of Guadalupe HidalgO.
It's eventual acquisition by the United States
would seem to be inevitable. The Gulf of
California separates IL almost entirely from
Mexico, and its natural approach by land is
through the territory of the United States.
Under these circumstances destiny would seem
TO have marked it for our own, and it is reason
able to expect that steps will be taken some
day to acquire it, as was contemplated at the
time Of the treaty with Mexico. The subject
has recently been revived by California mem
bers Of Congress, and the rumors of possible
complications through the zeal of boomers
will doubtless direct renewed attention to it,
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