Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1904-03-28
Local Papers Explanation Of
the Need For Trssps Where
Peace Reigns
BRINK OF VOLCANO.
Nearly Time 70 Repeat Sicilian
Vcspers, Says Radical tia
lian Organ

Owing to the color that has been
given to the reports concerning the
Trinidad situation sent out by cor
respondents fay0ring the one side or
the other, 1t has been extremely diff.
fcult to know what to accept as
truthful. The Trinidad News-Chron-
icle, which has preserved 4 conserva-
tive attitude ever since the trouble
began, speaks as follows Of the sit
uation, the necessity for troops and
the reasons that led to the supres-
sion Of the Italian paper;
For the past three days one ques-
tion would appear to have been oc-
oupying the minds Of many of the
people of this city.
Why are troops necessary in this
county and why should 1t be neces-
sary to place the county under mar
tial law?
There are very many who have a
SUFFICIENT knowledge Of the facts in
the case to answer that question, and
ii has been answered through the
columns OF this paper over and over
again.
The situation in the county, how
ever, has been peculiar one. While
1t is true that for the past fortnight
there would appear TO the ordinary
citizen Of Trinidad to have been no
trouble of great moment, there is no
one conversant with conditions in the
camps who does not know that for q
month past the county has been trem-
bling upon the brink OF volcano Of
tumult and bloodshed.
During the several weeks past there
has been scarcely day when the col
umns Of this paper have not contain
ed some reference to these condi-
tions--to the momentarily expected
outbreaks of idle and violent men, to
the notorious purchase of fire arms,
to the instigation of the lawless class
to deeds of bloodshed and anarchy
by leaders without conscience.
There are doubtless many who
from bias or ignorance have consii.
cred these statements extreme. AS
matter Of truth, they have been, on
the contraSy. conservative, for the
reason that full and thorough state.
ment OF the reality OF conditions
might have been provocative of a
sudden outburst Of passion. 1t is the
purpose of this present discussion to
answer the question OF why the troops
are here thoroughly, completely, and
for all the time.
Governor Peabody in his proclama
tionti stated that there were l,500 OF
more idle, violent and desperate men
in this county. That statement Il
true. He has also stated that they
were arming themselves apparently
for conflict. That statement il alse
true. He has stated that they were
melted to desperate deeds BY thell
leaders.
In proof of that statement let n
offer but one Of many editorials il
s II Layatore Italiano, which says.
II When the next union man is hurt
word will be sent to the various
camps by telephone. Let all the I'm
ion men then come TO Trinidad. Yo,
will be told there what To do.
II il nearly time 70 repeat Til,
81 sicilan vespers.'
That union man, or any othel
/, man should be hurt Is to be deplored
But the hurting Of one man or o
twenty men does not justify cal
for the repetition Of one Of the mos
terrible massacres In all history.
That advice appeared in January
during period Of the strike which
in Trinidad appeared calm and peace
able, and when the real truth wa
that nearly 1000 men, nearly all Il
the possession or arms, we're beini
Y urged BY the Official organ Of the bod,
h 70 which they belonged, TO rise IN re
v volt and commit deeds which on
I shudders even to contemplate.
Since January the conditions hav'
not changed, but has grown steadily
worse. until within the present montl
they have grown tensely critical. Th'