The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1923-02-06

Recently Brought Across Rio Grand
Into Texas by .AirpIane-Violatio
of Both Laws Of Mexico and of tn
United States.
SO heavy has withdrawal of gol,
| from the banks of the interior of Mex
leo become and so general is the prac
tice of smuggling the coin into thu
| United States that caastoans officials OF
both sides of the boundary have beer
| instructed to maintain an incessan
watch for gold smugglers. Not onl.
gold coin but high grade gold bearing
| ore and bullion are said to be brought
into this country in large quantitie:
by smugglers in violation of the laws
of both Mexico and the United States
The difficulties of the border patrol
have been multiplied by the free use
Of aiIpanes by the gold smugglers and
by Many others, particularly dealers
in opiates and liquor. However, Mex
leo Is inclined to be more or less COM
placent on the subject Of liquor and
opiate smuggling Gold is a different
matter. The continued expectation of
the basis of the nations finances to
this or any other country soon would
leave Mexico in parlous state. To
say the least, many of Mexico's finan-
cfal institutions are in shaky condi-
ton Bank failures have been numer-
GUS and the continued withdrawal OF
fy-nr
class is an expire ssion Of a lack of
confidence which the government feels
it cannot countenance.
Mexican Bankers Helpless.
Mexican bankers declare themselves
helpless to stop the heavy withdrawal
Of the coin and bullion by it's owners,
saying that as long as they have it to
pay the checks of their depositors
must be honored Recently the pre-
sentation of such checks, calling for
payment in gold, has amounted prac-
tically to run" at some institutions.
particularly in the vicinity of the
capital.
Gold or silver bullion is on the free
list Of the United States, no duty
being charged upon It's i'm
Dortation. Gold and silver coin and
Of other nations also are adj
nitted free of duty, but If it is to be
imported in large quantity money Of
my sort must be declared at the port
If entry Should attempt be made to |
1t into this country without |
declaring it, money becomes contra
,and and Is liable to seizure and con-
iscation by the government, just the
anne as any other type OF contraband.
The Mexican law, however, prohibits
he taking Of gold out of Mexico in
ny form, and silver coin or bullion
nay leave the country only after pay
ng substantial duty. 1t Is for this
eason, as well as because Of the con-
'nuous sapping Of the life-blood Of the
atoms finances, that Mexico has re-
uested and is receiving, cooperation
n the part of the United States Gus IN
1ms service If
Brought Across by Plane.
1t was announced recently by Roy I
collector of customs at Lare- Z
0, and confirmed by Charles Stevens, 1
Ipervisor of mounted customs inspec-
'rs, that huge sums Of gold recently s
al been brought across the Rio
rande into Texas by airplane. A re-
mt trip, of which the United States s
lstoIns officials are informed, but lack E
Efficient evidence to make arrests, is Z
lid TO have brought more than $780, q
70 in gold coin into the country The Il
ane took on its precious cargo near s
uryo Laredo, Mexico, and flew to the =
entity of San Antonio. where the q
oney was prepared for shipment and n
mt by some other method to New r
reans =