Arizona republican., 1902-12-24
PHOENIX. ARIZONA, DEC. -24. 1902
The Bubonic Plague in rIexico.


 The news that the bubonic plague has broken out at Mazatlan has been confirmed by the Associated Press, ana it is of great significance to the United States. and especially to Arizona and the coast towns of California, simply because Mazatlan is a Mexican por;. During the past few years the plague has been shorn of much of. its terrors, for it has been demonstrated that mod ern sanitary methods are sufficient to cope with it and stamp it out in most cases, and where that is not possi0:c. to hold it severely in check. But when thus successful. science has had fair field. The most marked success has been where prompt measures were taken at the very beginning of the out break. There seems to be little doubt that during the past two years the plague has existed at San Francisco, but it has been confined strictly to the Chinese quarter, and Americans have neither felt alarm nor had occasion to be frightened. Notwithstanding the virulence of the disease among the na- tives at Hong Kong and other oriental ports, Americans and Europeans have gone unharmed because of their ex- cellent sanitary arrangements and the effectiveness of the quarantines theS have esta blished.
 As already noted, the disquieting fea- of Mo iG f1af the plague has secured a foothOld Oh Mexican soil. The history of all civ ilization fails to show a case wnera the Spanish people or their kindred were capable of dealing with a pesti- lence. It will be surprising, indeed, fl the bubonic plague does not rapidly spread to other Mexican ports and 70 the inland towns, and the danger to this country. comes from the probability that the disease will be carried 10 othei points on the Mexican coast to th- northward of Mazatlan. and thence into the United States
 Coastwise traffic is constant betwee:, Mazatlan and Guaymas, and between Mazatlan and San Diego. San Pedro Santa Monica. and San Francisco. The greatest danger point is the Mexican port of Guaymas. Should the plague become established there. it would be exceedingly difficult to prevent it's en- try into Arizona by way Of the rali- road from Guaymas to NogaIes.
 We do not doubt that the authorities of Arizona and California will be prompt to recognize the possibility that the plague may gain a footing in this country by taking one of the routes mentioned, and that due precautions 1 will be taken. Proper wisdom exercised | now may prevent all occasion for alarm | hereafter. With inexcusable short | sightedness the Arizona legislatures | have stubbOrnly refused to provide fol | a territorial board of health, and have 1 failed to empower the governor 10 e=- tablish or enforce a quarantine. About all the governor can do. in the face Ol any pestilence, is to urge the several | boards of supervisors to be vigilant | and establish quarantine lines wher- | ever necessary. In his last message | the legislature Governor Murphy in- | sisted that a territorial board of health | be esta blished and the appointment ol | territorial health office authorized. | but the legislature was so busy wit,. | schemes for putting the executive ":l | hole" that nothing was done No | doubt Governor Brodie will make similar recommendation in his mes sage, and it is to be hoped that the legislature will have sense enough ro follow his advice on the subject.