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Arkansas City Republican, August 14, 1886.
[SUPPLEMENT.]
Byard on Mexico.
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, AUGUST 9. Secretary Bayard in speaking last night of the Cutting case said with much impression that he considered the principle involved in the Cutting affair to be one of the gravest importance and one as to which the whole country with reference to party should be united. Personal merit or the merits of Cutting himself had nothing to do with the matter and it made no difference whether he was an angel of darkness or light, but it did make the greatest difference to American people whether the contention raised by the state department in the case should be maintained or not. Mexico claims in the Cutting case the right to try an American citizen for an offense committed in the United States; and Cutting has been actually convicted and sentenced for publishing a libel in Texas.
Secretary Bayard thinks this raises the gravest possible question between the two countries. Bayard is deeply in earnest in his determination to resist the position taken by Mexico and expresses full confidence as to the popular approval of his course. The case, Bayard thinks, is too clear for equivocation and he has no idea of retreating from the position taken by the department weeks ago when it demanded Cutting=s release.
The secretary [REST OF THIS LINE OBSCURED] does not necessarily imply that the Mexican governemt will refuse to set him at liberty and go to war. Speaking of this feature Secretary Bayard said: ABoth countries are pledged by a treaty of 1848 to exhaust every possible means in effecting a peaceful settlement of all political questions, and should Mexico persist in her present attitude, the question would then arise as to what action should be taken by this country to enforce acquiescence in its demands. A rupture of diplomatic relations would naturally follow as other questions had added fuel to the flames on the Mexican border.@
In July last the murder of a Mexican naturalized to this country, who had been illegally extradited by Texan authorities, is in process of settlement and it is thought here that the murderers will be hung by the Mexican government.
In Mexican affairs the state department acted with great promptness and vigor and Bayard makes no concealment of his determination to insist upon full satisfaction in the Cutting affair, not so much for Cutting=s sake as because it involves the question whether American citizens in Mexico are to be protected in their rights.
Arkansas City Republican, August 14, 1886.
[ANOTHER ITEM FROM SUPPLEMENT.]
From El Paso.
DENVER, AUGUST 9. An El Paso special says:
The excitement over the Cutting imbroglio is much intensified [REST OF THIS LINE OBSCURED] says that is known positively that Gov. Mecerahas ordered the Paso del Norte authorities in case of an attack from Texas, to cut off the prisoner=s head and deliver it to the Americans. The statement is given for what it is worth. Eight hundred Mexican troops are said to have left Lagos for Paso del Norte. It is asserted that a second demand has been made and that the American officials have been notified to leave Mexico. Large crowds gather at every street corner, and the arrival of Company F of the 10th United States Infantry at Ft. Bliss, which was assigned here two months ago, has caused a rumor to the effect that eight carloads of United States soldiers were on the spot. The bad effect of these difficulties upon business is at last becoming very apparent and everything looks like war from a Mexican standpoint.
Arkansas City Republican, August 21, 1886.
The Mexican Muss.
DENVER, COLORADO, AUGUST 17. An El Paso special says: Consul Brougham is waiting the coming of General Sedgwick and is prepared to give him all needed assistance in making a most thorough investigation. Cutting says he will be able to prove to General Sedgwick=s entire satisfaction that he never circulated any copies of the El Paso Herald containing the second libel in Paso del Norte. Upon this personal circulation hangs at present the Mexican claim of the legality of Cutting=s imprisonment.
Arkansas City Republican, August 21, 1886.
Much Ado About Nothing.
The fuss made about Cutting, especially that part of the fuss which consists in loud and vociferous threats of war, and demands to be immediately led against the Mexican enemy, is the silliest ever made.
What are the facts? This man, Cutting, is a tramp printer, who alternates type-sticking with Aediting@ alleged newspapers. Many printers and newspaper men in Kansas know him, and all vouch for him as a noisy, contentious, quarrelsome, notoriety seeking vagabond. This creature goes into a Mexican town and libels a Mexican citizen. Being arrested under the law he squeals, and signs what is called a Areconciliation,@ and falls back to the American side of the river and prints his libel again on the American side, sends the paper over to Mexico, and then goes over himself and is again arrested, as he doubtless expected and desired to be, and then Afalls back on his government.@ The Mexican authorities have proceeded under the forms of their law and claim to be backed by the stiputations of the existing treaty. Whether they are wrong or right, is a question to be determined legally, and there is no doubt but that the matter can be so adjusted without any bullying or bloviating in two weeks, and the question determined whether Cutting shall serve out his term, or be restored to further annoy his native country.
That the United States is strong enough to compel Mexico to give up Cutting is undoubtedly true; but if Mexico should choose to resist, it would cost several thousand lives and several millions of dollars. And the idea of a decent American shedding his blood for Cutting is appalling.
The loss that would fall on American citizens would be a very severe one. The Mexican Central railroad, constructed at a cost of millions of American money, would be lost to its owners and its hundreds of American employees would be obliged to abandon Mexico. Our commerce which has grown up with Mexico would be destroyed, and the trade would go back into the hands of the English, Germans, and French.
The talk about the injuries suffered by the Americans at the hands of Mexican officials is largely wind. The Mexican Central company has been engaged for years in building its roads in Mexico; the higher employees have been and are still Americans, and there have not been a dozen cases of serious complaint. If this country wants Mr. Cutting=s valuable person, there is a way to get him without war.
Atchison Champion.
Arkansas City Republican, August 21, 1886.
Mexico=s Proposition.
NEW YORK, August 14. A special from Washington says: In yesterday=s consideration in behalf of Cutting=s case, the most important matter discussed was a proposition received Wednesday evening from the Mexican government. In brief it is this: The Mexican government makes a proposition that if the state dsepartment will send to the City of Mexico an able lawyer as special envoy of this government to confer with the attorney general of Mexico as to the proper interpretation of the law under which Cutting is held, they believe an amicable solution of the problem can be arrived at. After a two hours= discussion of this subject by the cabinet, it was unanimously agreed that the proposition be accepted and a representative be sent to the City of Mexico as soon as possible. This government is not to be bound by any report that its representative may make, but upon this report there can be established an additional foundation for further diplomatic procedure. Pending the agreement neither government will take action. It is not improbable that both governments will mass troops upon the border for the purpose of preserving order during the period employed in consultation.
Arkansas City Republican, August 21, 1886.
Sedgwick Goes to Mexico.
WASHINGTON, AUGUST 14. It can now be authoritatively stated that Mr. Sedgwick goes to Paso del Norte and Chihauhau by request of Secretary Bayard, and in connection with the Cutting case. His mission is in no sense of a diplomatic nature, but simply to secure for the department fuller information with regard to the case. Geo. Sedgwick will look up the facts in the case and study its legal features, reporting fully and as early as possible to the secretary. His journey may be extended to the city of Mexico, but this point is left for future determination. With regard to the rumored resignation of Minister Jackson, it can be stated upon authority that his purpose to resign antedates the present controversy with Mexico, but he is expected to remain at his post until it is fully settled.
Arkansas City Republican, August 21, 1886.
Reports come from Tucson, Arizona, to the effect that large numbers of Chinamen are continually entering the United States from Mexico, in violation of the law. The custom inspectors turn them back as fast as they can, but the force on the frontier is too small to be of very much service in this. The law is specific enough in regard to the matter, but the subject presents a difficult question to handle. If these Chinamen are arrested and imprisoned for the violation of the law, it will have the effect to do just what the government desires to avoid; it will keep them on American soil, and would be a harsh measure to apply. The sudden influx of celestials is no doubt due to the rumors of war between Mexico and the United States, and the climate of Mexico did not agree with the Mongols, who like to be on the safest side of the fence in a fight. The force of inspectors and government officers should be increased until strong enough to enable them to successfully prevent the unlawful entry into this country of the Chinamen.
Arkansas City Republican, August 21, 1886.
[MORE JOTTINGS...FROM WEDNESDAY=S DAILY.]
Over fifty towns in Kansas have organized military companies to serve in case war should be declared between the United States and Mexico. What a skirmishing there would be to find a hiding place in case the Governor should accept their services.
Arkansas City Republican, August 27, 1886.
Cutting Released.
ST. LOUIS, Aug. 23. A dispatch from El Paso says Chihauhau authorities have released Cutting, but no particulars have yet been received.
DENVER, Aug. 23. An El Paso special says that at 11:30 this morning Cutting was taken efore Judge Castenedas, when the official minutes of the Chihauhan court, which had arrived this morning, were read to him, reciting the decree discharging him from further custody. The decree of the court is based entirely on the fact that Medina, the offending party, waived his right to a civil suit for damages, the court holding that this ended the proceedings of the state. When released by the court, Cutting replied: AAs long as I am not further detained as a pensioner, I accept my liberty and I request that a copy of the decree of the supreme court be given me for my future use.@
After the decree had been read to Cutting and a copy refused to him, he was carried to the office of Mayor Provenico, where he was formally set at liberty.
Consul Brigham, with a number of Americans, gave him a cordial shaking of hands. All adjourned to an inn on the corner called El Principale kept by a Marylander. Here they were compelled to wait a few minutes for a street car on which they expected to leave Mexican soil.
Daulin, the official interpreter, the mayor, and sevearal Mexican officers entered the Casino and a few words were exchanged between the parties, the evident intention being the arrest of Cutting. The latter in reply to some remark said to Daulin with his finger raised: AI will meet the five principals in this matter later.@ This was said in an impressive manner, just as a man might say: AWhen I get you alone, we will have this thing out.@
It was instantly interpreted and the mayor and Daulin cried out, APues yo e an muvo delitos,@ Ais a new offense.@
Several of the Mexicans stepped toward him, but the car having opportunely arrived, Cutting=s American friends closed in around him and hurrying him to the car he was, as rapdily as the time table allows, driven across the border.
Arkansas City Republican, September 25, 1886.
[JOTTINGS...FROM WEDNESDAY=S DAILY.]
It seems that all of Envoy Sedgwick=s denials that he did not indulge too freely in Mexican mescal are unavailing. The facts all show that he had a disgraceful Mexican jamboree and that is all there is of it.
Arkansas City Republican, October 30, 1886.
[MORE JOTTINGS...FROM WEDNESDAY=S DAILY.]
H. R. Cutting, the gentleman who came near ruining Mr. Bayard=s reputation as a diplomat, like Banquo=s ghost, will not down, and has forced his way through the Mail and Express again before the state department. Monday a voluminous bundle of papers came to Assistant Secretary Porter of that department, containing Mr. Cutting=s claim against the government of Mexico and state of Chihuahua for $50,000 primitive and exemplary damages. The state department through which this claim will have to be presented, will give the matter very mature consideration before it will press the claim. The department does not deny Mexico=s right to punish Cutting or any other man violating Mexican law upon Mexican soil, and it will first decide from the facts secured by Mr. Sedgwick and the claims of the state authorities in Chihuahua whether Mr. Cutting has any claim whatever.
Arkansas City Republican, December 11, 1886.
[MORE ITEMS...FROM SATURDAY=S DAILY.]
The difference between Special Embassador to Mexico, Sedgwick, and Regular Embassador Manning is that Sedgwick went to a ball and got drunk, and Manning was too drunk to go to the ball.
