El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1898-04-26
WHAT THE MEX
ICANS THINK
Some Valuable Interviews With Rep
reseniasive Residents of Ciudad
JuareZ.

resentative Residents of Ciudad
JuareZ.
Travellers from Mexico have often
been asked by people in thei East:
WHAT'S the feeling of the Mexican
people generally in the war between
Spain and the United States? Is there
any considerable proportion of real
Spanish sympathizers in Mexico?
Why has not the Mexican government
asserted itself and taken q definite
stand on the question az issue?
Sr. Manu- ii M. Bauche. collector of
the port of Ciuoad Juarsz, was seen By
a HERALD reporter this morning. He
said that Mexico would ubdou btedly
preserve the strictest neutrality, and
called his visitors attention to the fol-
lowing statement which appeared in
the Mexican Herald that arrived here
last night. The srticle read:
"Over two weeks ago when the re-
representatives. Of the European powers
were calling on President Mckinley
and endeavOring by all friendly means
to bring about au amicabie settlement
of the difficulty between the United
States aad Spain, Minister Romero
wired to this city to know what
stand Mexico would take in
case of war. In less than five minutes
after the receipt of the minister's mes
sage Secretary of State Sr. Mariscal
wired back that Mexico would observe
the strictest neutrality. And it may
be added that the sympathies of this
country are about equally divided in
this con flict. To Spain they are bound
by the most intimate ties of desc ent
and customs, while to the I'm ted
States, Mexico is closely attach
ed by the indissoluble ties of
propinquity, analogous form of govern
ment and Institutions, mutual respect,
and identical interests. For these rea-
sons it is not likely that Mexico would
favor either one of her friends. Besides,
the United States his au ample coast
line and the bandiest kind of ports in
close prox unity to the scene of war and
can establish all the cOaling stations
she can possibly need on her own ter
ritory."
Colonel Bauche said that as to the
eX' ent of sympathy with Spain in Mex
leo, he could hardly speak because of
his distance from the rest of the repub-
lie. Being right on the border, he
would naturally hear and see more OF
America lean nes and sympathies
than further down in the country. AS
to whether Cuban flags would be allow
ed in town, Colon l Bsuche did not
think there would be objection to little
insignia worn on the lapel of the cos t.;
but as to the flying of banners from
fagstaffs, why, the reporter had better
see the j-fe politicO. Colonel Bauche
was much interested in the news from
the war.
Consul Mallen regretted very much
this break between Spgin and the
United States, and wished it coul1
have ben avoided. He sa: ID there was
no need of formal declaration of neu-
trality, as the pc ition of the Mexican
government was air, ady plblicly
known, and that po-ition was Que of
the strictess neutrality. AS to sym
pathie-, why there were great many
course were strong for their mother
country. At the same time the Mex
lean government was watching them,
and any overt act would result in the r
being brought up with round turn.
There was at the same time strong
feeling of sympathy in the republic for
the United States and the cause of
| free Cuba. But neither one side nor
the other would be allowed to involve
| the Mexican government in any COM
plications with the United States gov
ernment.
Jefe Politico Onate of Jua-ez voiced
| the sentiments above expressed, and
said that the public flying of Cuban
| flags would not be allowed within the
municipa lily of Juarez. The policy of
| neutrality as already outlined by the
federal government in it's known at
titude would be observed in Juarez
City Treasurer Islas, Broker Argue
| lies and other C tizens of Juarez ex
pressed their sentiments as already
suggested, and said that while their
| proximity to the United States might
| naturally draw their sympathies to-
| ward the I'm ted States, it was their
| duty to p eserve a strict neu rality.
At Jose M Flor. SIS store, they said
there were rut fzw Spauiards in town,
not over a dozen anyhow, ard they had
but little to say. There WAS not enough
| to warrant their doing any thing Did
| the Mexicans sympathize with the
| American? Oh, yes, but Mexico has
been preserving a strict neutrality, and
her citizens were not taking any pro-
| nounced stand either way. That was
why there were 10 Cuban flags flying
around town. Were there any Cubans
| in Juarez? Only two that the Flores
people knew of, and they were living
away off on the north side of the town.
''Your store is quite a center
| here" was asked, and do not
people who come in here express their
sentiments?" Every little" was the
| reply: Our people are neutral al
| though [ believe their preferences are
with our American neighbors as is
| natural enough on account of our To-
cation"
State Tax Collector Cuadra was found
counting he=ltby sized pile of Next
can bank bills. He. too, said s,rics
| neutrality prevailed in the republic,
| although. perhaps no formal official
action had been taken. Sr. Cuadra
did not think much of the reports
about Spanish raids from south
of the Rio Grande, but
at the same time the governor ept
| was watchful. He did not think there
would be any trouble, and was inclined
| to laugh at the Marti raids down near
Laredo. Sr. Cuadra was not surprised
at 'here being no Cuban flags in Jua-
rez as Juarez was neutral,
and he rather regarded the Spanish
scrap as something in which Mexico
| had no particular interest. AS to the
| extent of Spanish sympathy in Mexico
| Sr. Cuadra did not say much beyond
| the fact that there.w as bourd to be some
but he was not giving it particular