Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1878-01-25
A TALK WITH DIAZ.
What the President of Mexico Says Con-
corning the Relations Between His
Country and Ours.

TCCcIIIy Interviewer JTcSlucIlJ blhH'
The correspondent opened the CONVEX
sation by inquiring whether the pres
ident had read the latest news from the
United States, and especially the short
debate in the senate regarding the re-
cognitlon Of the present government Of
Mexico.
Gen. Diaz replied Eyes, have read
il with Il great deal Of interest. and am
pleased to SEQ that the leading mem
bers Of the American congress arc in
favor Of the recognition Of this govern
mcnt and rather impatient that il has
been delayed 40 long. The members
from Texas only bear us ill-wlll; but
don't suppose that the border people in
Texas will be able to dictate to the
United States government M to what its
course shall be toward Mexico; ut least
| hope the other states Of the union will
have something to say on the subject.
We want to have friendly relations
with the United States, but we also have
to maintain our national dignity. AS
for recognition Of our government we
do not particularly ask it; the acts of
this government will speak for them
selves. We have managed to live with
out recognition by France or England.
"There il no question Of war involved
between the United States and Mexico.
1t is only the question whether the re-
lation between these two countries shall
DO cordial or otherwise. If the United
States does not want to be II friendly
ncighbor we cannot help it. We arc
doing I'LL we can to be friendly. with due
regard To our nationality. Your gov
eminent is dealing with us in IL strange
manner. 1t says Suppose We recog-
nlze you, will you do this and that
Will you exempt American citizens
from forced loans? Will you permit
our troops to invade Mexican territory
in pursuit Of maraudcrsY We answer
Recognize orr government and then we
shall as II government answer your pro-
position. You do not acknowledge az
ils such, and yet you want us to enter
into engagements as II recognized indie
pendent power II We arc not II govern
mcnt III your eyes, what IL the use Of
our taking obligations such rs only ono
government can enter into with another?
OF what use, then, are these ncgOta-
tons AS long rs they are not consider
Cd by you ~ between two governments
they arc merely nm. interchange Of
thought ORA conversation without bind
ING force We want To treat with You
on equal terms and We cannot do so UNI
I'll you recognize III ~ II government. T
Now Gen. ord, in his testimony before
u committee in Washington, did us jus
tee. IIc said that the recognition of
this government would hasten the sntis-
factory solution Of the frontier troubles.
He knows tho frontier people and todd I
the truth regarding the state Of affairs
there"
:" II lnS bcen snid, remarked hero
the writer, that Interested parties in
intimate relations with Mr.. Lcrdo arc
working IN Washington against the re-
cogntion of the present government.
such hns been my information, re-
piled Gcn. Din4. II know, also, that
there is small knot Of men who manage
To make n great deal Of noise. anxious
for war between the United States md
Mexico, because they want profitable
contracts for army supplies. Then there
nro disappointed railroad men who !
think that their schemes would he
benefited by IL war or change Of gov
ornmcnt in Mexico. These aro in
triguing against us. Az for Mr.. Lcrdo,
can hardly credit tho report that he is
working TO make trouble between the
two countries. He is. above ALL u Mex
lean, and would not enter into ii con.
spimcy with Foreigners against his own
country. ! moreover think that the
government 1T Washington is not in
tluenced by any Of these men. II is
probably only following ont il policy it
hns marked ont for itself.
IL see, Mr.. President, you have read
the report Of Gen. Ords testimony;
have You also read what Sen. Maxoy
said about you III ms speech III the sen
ateY inquired tho writer.
"Yes | have read that also, con-
tinucd Gem Diaz =" Senator Nancy
said was usurpcr. Wen, grant IT,
In ono sense of the word | was usur-
per, hut only because had to assume
the rcigns Of government iii III emer-
gcncy for which the constitution had
not provided. Here was Mr.. lcrdo
holding the presidency without II legal
title to il, and misgoyorning the country,
The right of revolution is Inherent III
the people when they are oppressed.
Both those who govern and those who
are governed have their mutual obliga
TONS Whom the government docs not
fulfill its obligations, and peaceful means
fail to bring it to its senses, then the
people may establish their rights hy re-
voluton When commenced this
fight against Mr. l.erdo did not have n
dollar or II soldier. lie had the whole
army and I'll tho oilicchoders on his
side, but know | had the people with
mn nnl LLnI LIZ nrnN nnl his Nllinn- I