The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1890-07-19
Tho Laredo Raid.

The vigor and effectiveness with which
the military and civil authorities in Texas
have disposed Of the recent attempt Of RUIZ
SANDovAL and his associates to invade Mex
leo, is creditable and encouraging. 1t Is an
nounced that twelve of the revolutionists
are now in prison at San Antonio, awaiting
trial on the charge Of violating the neutral
ity laws Of the United States. A worse fate
might have befallen them. While they
now have q prospect Of several years i'm
prisonment and a heavy fine. capture on the
other bank Of the Rio Grande would have
exposed them to the penalty Of DEATH
The movement was planned by the refu-
gees in the neighborhood OF Laredo, who
alone took part in 1t. presumably looking
for aid among malcontents in Mexico. SAN
DovAL the leader, is chronic revolution
list, Of adventurous spirit. who, besides his
exploits In Mexico, has been credited with
participating in instructions In Central
America and elsewhere. Suspected of
plotting against the Mexican Govern
ment, and forced to leave the country.
he established himself near by, on the
left bank of the Rio Grande, among kin
dred spirits. Exactly how many men he
took across the river does not yet appear.
1t has been reported that party OF thirty
escaped into the interior OF Mexico, and also
that one of SANDovAL's men was captured
and shot. What Is clear Is that the Mexican
authorities had perfect intelligence OF his
movements and also that Deputy United
States Marshal YGLEsIAs and Sheriff SAN
CHEZ. on the Texas side found out about
them. The latter called upon Gen. STAN
LEY, the commander OF the department.
for troops. which were at once fur
nished; and, whether or not this action
caused q premature movement Of SAN
DovAL's party, at all events scarcely
had detachment from Fort Mcintosh
been posted on the river than the raiders
came swimming back to the Texas shore,
having been driven to the bank by the Mex
lean forces. Seven men, including SANDo-
VAL, surrendered to the United States SOL
oilers, and others were arrested for COM
plicity In the affair. The scouting party
from Fort Mcintosh was under command of
Capt. EDGAR 2. STEEvER, Troop G, Third
Cavalry. The report from Col BRAcKETT's
headquarters shows that 1t had IL march Of
about fifty miles under q Texas midsummer
sun and In suffocating dust.
This incident must serve to reassure all
tho authorities on the Mexican border
OF the sincere purpose of our Govern
ment to check and punish all attempts to
violate Its neutrality laws. Following the
plot to seize Lower California, 1t will have
oil the better effect. It IL natural that the
people OF that border should look with some
uneasiness on their powerful neighbor and
should be on the watch for nllbus-
tering expeditions. President DIAz how
over. has always assumed that the
United States Government would DO
faithful to it's international obligations; and,
Tar from counting popularity by stimulating
opposition to our country, ho has always
proclaimed himself to be its friend Without
sacrificing any rights of Mexico. lie has yet
preserved amicable relations with Washing
ton, although at some times, as under the
HAYES Administration, his self-cOntrol WAS
Borely tried. The present incident is vim
dicatlon OF his policy.
But 1t does not follow that other attempts
like that ofSANDovAL are not to be looked for.
Ills scheme was possibly based on the recent
legislation to make DIAZ d candidate for the
Presidency during an indefinite number OF
terms, which his opponents declare to be
equivalent to making hlm Dictator. Tho
recent political troubles in CoahCia and
perhaps elsewhere may have also indicated
the prevalence OF a disturbed feeling (which |
SANDovAL desired 10 take advantage. 1t is
quito possible, accordingly, that between
now and the next Presidential election rcvo-
lutIonary attempts may break out, like those |
which were seen in Nucvo Leon and Iamau-
lipas few years ago. AS such movements |
might find cooperation among exlles or
refugees In Texas, or even originate with
them. our Government will have 10 con.