Arizona republican., 1903-08-27
General Grants Suggestions.

General Grants Suggestions.
 Brigadier General Frederick D. Grant commander of the department of Texas in his annual report to the war depart ment expresses some concern because of the activity of the Mexican govern ment in strengthening certain military posts on the northern frontier.
 While on visit to Laredo, Texas, in December last" he says, "a gentle man who owns property on the Mexican side and seemed generally well in- formed. stated to me that the Mexican government had already purchased his property in that vicinity for the pur- pose of establishing a military post upon it. I was also told while al Laredo that the Mexican government was contemplating building barracks and quarters for a considerable garrl- son at Neuvo Laredo, which statement was afterwards confirmed by the Mexi- can officer at that point.
 The new state of affairs leads him to suggest:
 Peace between the two countries is of course in a happy condition and in no way threatened to be disturbed on either side of the border. but it would seem to be no act of unfriendliness on our part at least to follow the example of the Mexican government. already awake to the necessity of maintaining larger and more extended military footholds along the border"
 It was to be expected that son of the great commander would be vigilant in all his military duties, and it is noi surprising to find General Grant paying close attention to everything that has to do with his department. While, how ever, his suggestion that our own mili- tary strength should be increased in the neighborhood of the international boundary is an excellent one. its chief merit does not lie in the possibility of hostilities at some future time between the two countries. It is rather a good proposition because, as General Grant suggests, along the boundary line "are a class of desperate persons. fugitives from justice, who. but for the presence of a military force. might cause more CT less irritation and friction between the inhabitants of the two countries. Tlmid people in the United States need not be alarmed because Mexico has been esta ablishing new posts and en- larging those already established The fact indicates no hostile or unfriendly intentions as to '.los Estados Unidos, for which Mexico entertains not only a sincere friendship but a wholesome respect. Trouble with Uncle Sam is the last thing that intelligent Mexican:; look for.
 But in taking precautions new against future troubles in their own land. the Mexican authorities are wise in their generation. It is recognized that when the great Diaz yields up the reins of government there may be ef- forts by indictments to stir. up civil strife Designs against the established government would naturally be con- ducted from the safe vantage points to be found in Texas, New Mexico and ArizonasS rather than from within-a' least in. the early stages of any coE- spiracy or rebellion. The Mexican gov ernment will be in a much better posi- tion to deal with any incipient rebellion conducted against her northern con- munities, if those communities are guarded by strong military posts-and that is the long and short of Mexican activity in building forts on the Rio Grande Likewise. the United States will be in a better position to cooperate with the Mexican authorities in sup pressing Mexican conspiratois who may seek to operate from this side of the line, if we have at hand at convenient points the necessary troops. And in addition to that, there is the necessity as pointed cut by General Grant, o1 having enough military strength to cope with all forms of lawlessness along the border. Our government should never, under any circumstances, weak en the posts so long maintained iT southern Arizona, and it would do vel to follow General Grants suggestions and add to our strength on the Texas border.