The New York Times/1877/10/8/The Rio Grande Frontier

THE RIO GRANDE FRONTIER.

THE REPORTED MEXICAN INVASION.

REPRESENTATIVE SCHLEICHER'S BELIEF IN THE REPORT—TEMPER OF THE ADMINISTRATION—OUR RELATIONS WITH MEXICO—DISPATCHES FROM GEN. ORD ON THE DISTURBANCES—THE TROUBLE ALTOGETHER AMONG RESIDENTS OF TEXAS.

Special Dispatch to the New-York Times.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 7.—The reported raid of Mexicans upon the towns of Ysteta and San Elizaro, Texas, and the statements in newspaper dispatches that such an invasion has occurred is not credited either by Secretary Evarts or Secretary McCrary. On the other hand Gustav Schleicher, who represents that district in Congress, has received information which leads him to believe the statements, and is informed by his correspondents in Texas that such a raid has been expected for some time. Mr. Evarts said to-night that in case such a raid had been committed on American citizens, the action of this Government would be summary in securing redress. He would not say just what course would be pursued, explaining that circumstances would govern the action of this Government. For some time Señor Mata, the representative of President Diaz to this Government, and a Mr. Stevens, an American, who also represents Diaz, have been urging on Secretary Evarts the adoption of an agreement between the two powers allowing on each side of the river a section of neutral or debatable ground, upon which the military of either Government would be allowed to go when pursuing desperadoes. Mr. Evarts says this would be a great advantage to the United States, provided the entire extent of debatable ground would be on Mexican territory; but this Government will not allow Mexican troops or organized bands of any sort to cross the Rio Grande when it can be prevented, and will protect the Mexican territory from assaults from this side of the river. The Mexican authorities being unable to prevent the invasion of our soil by marauders from their side of the river, Gen. Ord has been instructed to take the matter into his own hands.

There is no doubt that the President and Cabinet feel great concern in regard to the Texas border troubles. While they believe a great part of the agitation on the frontier is occasioned by those who wish to complicate matters between this Government and Mexico, and believe also that President Diaz earnestly desires peace with the United States, the frequency with which these raids are made upon property of American citizens, necessitates a decided movement to prevent them, either by holding the Mexican Government to account or by stationing a sufficient military force along the Rio Grande to protect it. Although President Diaz has not been recognized by this Government, diplomatic relations are uninterrupted, both here and at the Mexican capital.

The following telegram was received here this afternoon:

Chicago, Ill. Oct. 7.

To Gen. E. D. Townsend, Adjutant-General, Washington, D. C.:

The following dispatch, forwarded by Col. Andrews from Fort Davis, was received last night from Gen. Ord: "Lieut. L. H. Rucker, at El Paso some days ago, reported the trouble at San Elizario, and was ordered by me to report on the disturbances. Subsequently I gave an order to send 30 cavalrymen that were escorting a surveying party to strengthen him. The trouble is with our won population and about the location of the lands on which there are salt lakes. I have no reason to believe that any citizens of Mexico have taken part in the troubles, but the population of El Paso County is wholly composed of citizens of Mexican birth.

P. H. Sheridan, Lieutenant-General.

Fort Davis, Texas, Oct. 4, 1877.

To the Adjutant-General, Department of Texas:

I am requested by Judge Bleecker to send the following: "The Mexican population of El Paso have risen en masse and seized all the civil authorities, Judges Howard and McBride, and hold all of them prisoners in jail. The rioters number about 400 under arms; they have scouts and pickets out, and sentinels posted. They seem to be well organized. All the Americans in this county, numbering about 30, are in peril of their lives. No American is allowed to communicate with the prisoners. The rioters are expecting aid from volunteers from the Mexican side of the Rio Grande. The trouble is through Zimpleman having located the salt lakes, and through Howard prohibiting the getting of salt without permission.

Later.—The Sheriff has escaped. Col. Hatch is expected in El Paso. The call is at least for two companies, with artillery. I have at this post, all told, 123 fighting men. I think Louis Cordiz is behind it all.

G. S. Andrews, Colonel Commanding.

So far as known at the Department of State only three of the participants in the Mexican outrage at Rio Grande City, where the jail was broken open, the Sheriff killed, and several prisoners carried off, have yet been delivered to the Texan or United States authorities for trial and punishment.