Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-10-19
THE MEXICAN BORDER.
Gen Stanley Says That IL is . Hard Place 10
Police.

Brig. Gen. David s. Stanley, commanding
the department Of Texas, makes some interest
ing remarks in his annual report on the sub
ject Of the condition OF things on the line be-
tween this country and the neighbor on the
south.
He says: The care Of the Mexican border.
which in this department is defined by the Rio
Grande, is one that requires constant attention
10 know just how far this Is the duty of the
United States, or where exactly the state Of
Texas comes in, is not always very plain. The
only safe rule is to regard all, or any person,
coming from the right bank of the Rio Grande
as an idler; with arms IN his hand and no visi-
oie means OF support, as intruder. There
Is no complaint TO be entertained of
the Mexican government; their officers do their
duty: but the frontier is 1000 miles in extent,
with long stretches of unsettled wild country
and no police, civil or military. can effectaaly
watch such a border and entirely prevent
crime-reguiring notice by the United States
forces We find that the very presence of
troops serves as a restraining influence. Muir
ders have occurred, and the murderer runs
quickly into the wilds of Mexico. and it is plain
thatbut for the presence of United States troops.
few as they are, revenue regulations would be a
dead letter.
The condition Of the troops in this depart
ment Is good and efficient a matter worth
mention. rs during the long summers of south
western Texas il requires extra energy TO keep
troops up to the mark.
The report Of the acting Judge advocate
general is interesting, and the fact that the num-
Der OF desertions in the last half of the fiscal
Year Is only one-half as great as the number in
the first six months is hopeful sign. The re-
port illustrates what we knew before. namely,
tnat the causes of desertion cannot be classi-
ned. My belief is that it is a matter of COM
pensation, and that the plain way to have good
soldiers is to pay them the wages of the loca-
ton they serve. The pay Of the daily laborer
at this place-San Antonio-is Sl.J0 a day.
After fully estimating all the advantages of the
soldiers emoluments over the compensation of
the laborer, still the wages of the laborer are
fully 30 per cent above the wages of the soldier.
Il will call attention to the reduced condi-
tion of the transportation of the army in this
department. An organized and trained trans
portation must furnish the legs of an army and
wagon transportation run down to inefficiency
Is injurious to the service. In this department
the number of mules and wagons is so small
that no expedition could now be fitted out TO
operate any distance from a railroad. This is
not the right thing for efficient force and
may lead to bad results some day."
Gen Stanley calls attention. in conclusion TO
the small number of officers present with their
regiments, which, he saws is n serious draw
back to efficiency. OF the entire commissioned
force in the department the roster at a recent
date showed: Present, 81: absent, &C. or these
there were 81 on detached service 10 on ordi-
nary leave. 10 on sick leave and not vet
Joined.