Evening journal., 1912-08-21
NEW NEWS OF YESTERDAY
A Bit of Hitherto Unwritten
History
By Holland


ment and the people of Mexico al
ways have claimed that they were
really triumphant in the war be-
tween Mexico and the United States
which began in 1886
Although the armies under General
Scott penetrated Mexico and captured
Mexico City nevertheless, in the
treaty of peace which was made at
Guadalupe Hidalgo, little village
just outside of the City of Mexico, the
United States agreed to pay to Mexico
fifteen million dollars and to become
responsible for all claims adiudged
against Mexico prior to 1S43. Fur
thermore, the United States promised
to pay all other adjudicated claims
held by citizens OF the United States
against Mexico If the amount did not
exceed three million, two hundred
and fifty thousand dollars. Mexico's
claim Is that II the United States was
really as victorious in the war as we
say we were, then the United States
could have eXacted all Of the Mexican
territory which was passed over by
Mexico to the sovereignty Of the Unit
ed States by treaties and for which
the United States paid fifteen million
dollars.
The late Moses Yale Beach, for
many years the proprietor of the New
York Sun, and from whom Charles A.
Dana and his associates bought the
property in 1868, really made it posi-
BILE for Mexico to make and hold to
the claim that II and not the United
States was victorious in the sole war
that has been fought between the two
countries
While official representatives of the
State Department al Washington con-
Quoted for this country the prelim-
mary arrangements which eliminated
in the treaty which was drawn up
and signed at Guadalupe-H idalgo. Mr..
Beach was a secret and yet accredited
representative of President Polk and
In that capacity visited Mexico early
In lS4S for the purpose of learning
what terms of peace would be accept
able TO Mexico
Mr. Beach, upon his return to
Washington, informed President Polk
that he had learned confidentially
from the Mexican authorities that II
the United States would pay twenty
million dollars to Mexico and would
assume the payment of all the claims
adjudicated in favor of American citi-
zens against Mexico then Mexico
would cede to this country all her
territory north of the Rio Grande and
II would be very easy to negotiate, a
treaty Of peace with her.
But when Mr.. Beach informed Pres
ident Polk that a large money pay
ment would go a long way toward
securing a treaty of peace. Polk al
first declared that the American peo-
| pie would never approve OF a pay
ment of that kind He declared that
they would say that we won the wal
with Mexico and were entitled TO the
territory north of the Rio Grande
Thereupon AR Beach said to Pres.
ident Polk: IT am sure Mexico will
accept fifteen million. If we pay
Mexico fifteen million dollars. we
shall pay precisely the sum which we
gave to Napoleon Bonaparte for the
Louisiana Territory II is a mere
trihe TO us. and see what a magni.
ficent area 10 will give u.s. We shall
have the entire country, between the
Atlantic and the Pacific north of the
Rio Grande and south of the Canada
boundary. Moreover, the European
] naltJur Will cdf Alicl We ulQ UOI WdEt
war of territorial ACKNOWLEDGMENT
on Mexico, but paid her for what we
got"
President Polk, after due considers.
ton, become very greatly impressed
with this confidential information. liz
told Mr.. Beach that the service hs
had rendered was invaluable. H,
caused IL to be confidentially knowr
to the American peace commissioner
that the administration at Washington
was willing TO offer a large sum tC
Mexico in return for it's territory
north of the Rio Grande. but the pres
ident insisted that not more than if
teen million dollars be offered.
This is the secret history of III,
manner in which the United State.
consented to pay Mexico fifteen mil
lion dollars for its territory north o.
the Rio Grande And this is tn,
reason why Mexico has always claim.
ed that although General Scott cap
tured the City of Mexico. vet Mexico
was really triumphant in the war
i Copyright. 1912 by r. ]. Edwards
All rights reserved)
Tomorrow mr.. Edwards will tel
of "A Famous Senator's Confession
Of the Cause Of His Weakness"
The Wants are OF vital interest to