The herald., 1894-12-11
Santa Catalina San Clemene San Miguel and the Other
Islands ALI in Jeopardy.
They the Territory Which Was Ceded by the
Guadalupe Hidalgo Treaty.
<Brourht o lain the
Territory From srsuon
General Msndsz o sanohs
Formcr Known Here.
Special Correspondence to the HERALD.

Special Correspondence to the HERALD.
CRY OF MEXICO, d. F., Dec. 3.-The
Geographical society OF this city seem
determined to press upon the govern
ment the consideration by them OF the
real ownership OF tine islands oil SANTA
Barbara, in California. viz. San Miguel,
Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, Santa Catalina,
San Clemente and others. These said
islands are considered American prop.
erty, aud the general idea is that they
session of the United States through the
treaty of Guadaloupe Hidalgo of Febru-
sry 2, 1S48, by which certain Mexican
territory was acquired after the war of
the American nation against the repub.
lie.
Undoubtedly that treaty was meant
to include in the ceded territory the
islands in question, and if any then
even thought of them they were deemed
covered by the treaty, but as . matter
of fact they do not come within the ter
ritorial limits as set down by the treaty
IN Qu0btlOn bnbt IL W phty Wy
Interpretation of the came.
This government discovered this fact
shortly after the signing of the treaty,
but the territory in dispute was consid-
cred of no consequence, and this, taken
In connection with the fact that Mexico
knew that it was by q mere oversight
that definitions had not been inserted in
the treaty to cover their cession to the
United States, has never made any for
NAL protest. and In all probability the
subject would never have been
alluded to had not some member
of tho Geographical society discovered
that the little California archip ipelago did
not como within the cession to the
United States by this republic whom it
gave mp certain portions of its territory.
This fact has been discussed on many
occasions by the society in question and
although many of its prominent mem-
bers argued that the association was alb.
solutely non-political and should not
discuss international subjects, q few
months ago o resolution was adopted by
the majority of the mem bers calling the
attention of the government 10 the fact
that Americana were in possession OF
national territory and claimed IL as
United States soil.
The government has taken no notice
of the resolution but the agitation OF the
Geographical society has been encour-
aged BY the opposition press OF the capi-
tai and before long the government will
be forced to give the matter its consid-
GRAFTON.
A very prominent lawyer here. with
an excellent acquaintance with interna-
tionsl law told your correspondent that
undoub btedIy the islands in dispute are
Mexican property, and they are 30
owing to their not coming within the
boundaries OF Mexican soil ss defined in
the oession treaty between the two
countries. He said that it submitted to
arbitration the United States would
undou btedly get the worst ot the
case and he supposed that the NJ ,xicsn
government mig ht ssk for a restoration
of taxes, etc., collected by United
States officials since the occu patton by
Americans OF the islands, and then for a
lump sum would formally deed the ter
ritory in question to Uncle Sam. My
informant is under the impression that
all the islands are held by their present
owners under Spanish grants, except
San Clemente. which is the property OF
the United States government.
lulu lnhy u0N6I COmo upt
but if it does the present occupiers OF
the islands may find themselves in q
peculiar position.
FUNERAL OF GENERAL MENDEZ.
The remsins OF General of Division
Juan N. Mendez were inferred today in
the Rotunds OF Mexico's Illustrious
Citizens in the Dolores cemetery. The
deceased was a native of the state OF
Puebla, and was a pure Indian by
descent. He was formerly governor OF
his native etate, and at the time of his
demise he held the high office OF prssi-
dent OF the supreme court OF military
justice. He was one OF the heroes Of
the battle OF the 9th Of May, 1867.
During the revolution of 1876 he was
second in com msnd to General Porfrio
Disz after the death OF Donate Guerro.
Alter the success Of the revolution he
was president during the temporary ab-
eence OF Disz from the capital.
Mendez was strong personal
friend OF the presidents and
Cndou btedly was one OF the lTet fig
ures OF the modern history OF Mexico
He WAS born in 1920.
The funeral was largely attended.
There were q street cars filled with Off.
cisls and friends of the dead man. All
the diplomatic body and the president
and his cabinet attended.
A DISPLAY OF TROOPS.
A brigade of troops under the personal
command of General Escobedo, who
captured and shot the unfortunate Max.
imilian at Queretero, attended. The
column consisted of the mounted gem
darmerie OF the army, the Seventh cav
airy of the line, the First. Fourth, Six.
teenth and Twenty-frst infantry OF the
line, a regiment of engineers and a bat>
terry OF range guns.
No thoughtful man, watching the de-
filing of the soldiers this morning and
who knows the Guatema alan troops could
have any possible doubt as to how a
struggle with the neiRhboring republic
would result. The troops were in excel.
lent condition, we'll equipped and
armed. The engineers were particular.
ly good, serviceable looking men. The
infantry of the line all carried the new
tools of the German pat
tern, the artillery was IN excellent trim
and the cavalry was really good, marked
BE specially by good horsemanship.
There is nothing new in relation to
the Guatemala frontier trouble, and
N Ill tha Guo 70 N, ION iol