Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-03-31
WASHINGTONIANS IN MEXICO.
Minister Foster and His Party Given q
Hearty Welc0me-Mr. ThOmpson's Inn.
pressiOns Of HIS Trip.

MI. John W. Thompson, who accompanied
ex-Minister John w. Foster and q small party
OF ladies on trip to Mexico, has returned, after
an absence OF some six weeks. Although Mr..
Thompson has been an extensive traveller, both
In this country and in Europe, he found In his
journey through Mexico a great deal that was
novel, both in nature and In life. "The climate
was very delightful to me-" said Mr..
Thompson to STAR reporter. "In the middle
OF the day, from IL o'clock until 4, 1t was quite
warm In the sun, even with summer clothing
the shade you had immediate relief from the
heat, and the change, while not too decided,
was very grateful. Then, think that never
experienced 81 re more delightful sensation than
the open air. There was something
SO exhilarating in the air that 20 felt if you
cal fruits, displaying q prodigality of wealth
ana alaVlshness OF nature that could not but
pc impressive to those who had come from q
cline Wnere nature was less abundant in her
gi1ts. W lille these might be mentioned among
the material pleasures Of our trip, and have
said nothing OF the comfort of the railroad
travel and the fine accommodations of the
hotels, yet what made more lasting impress
sion on my mind was the hearty and hospita-
ole reception which our party received from all
classes In the city Of Mexico. OF course, the at.
tentlon tnat we received was due to the pres
eight years in Mexico, the former the repre-
sentative OF our government During that
time ne formed acquaintance, which were
more than merely official, and Ii seemed as if
the citizens there could not sufficiently express
thelr pleasure at seeing him again. They came
out to meet him before he reached the city,
ana after his arrival there he was showered
with invitations from President Diaz down To
the humber citizens.
"Ihe 1act that we were travelling with Mr..
Foster under these circumstances made it ex-
ceedingiy pleasant for the members OF the
party; We went everywhere. We dined with
President Diaz, the secretary OF state and other
officials and saw a great deal. We visited Cha
puitepec, where they are now rebuilding the
palace for the use Of the president, who now
lives in his own house in the city of Mexico. In
our excursions around the country, and We
visited nearly all the towns within a day S
portunity TO see the resources of the country
and the extent to which they are developed. 1t
is plain to be seen that American enterprise is
needed, and think that 1t will not be long be-
fore Americans will be in the ascendant as far
as the foreign element is concerned. At pres
ent in the city OF Mexico, English and Germans
seem to have the ascendancy. The gas and the
electric light companies are English, the bank
ing houses are English and German.
while the Central Mexican railroad
is of course Under the direction of Americans.
One cannot but notice the great tide of travel
from America to Mexico The rush of visitors
from this country was SO great while We We're
there that we could not get accommoda-
tons in one of the large hotels. The natural
result will be that these visitors will oppor-
tun1tleS Tor investment and they will return
with their money and develop the resources of
road is completed the coal fields will be tapped
and coal Will be brought TO the city of Mexico,
and this alone will give great impetus TO the
starting OF industries and the investment OF
capital. IL was younger man should Ger
tainly return TO Mexico and avail myself of the
opportunities that offered Tor making
money.
"As L was at Ell Paso on my way back" re-
sumed Mr.. Thompson, "Dr. Henry b. Noble,
jr., the son of DIR. Noble, the dentist, came up
and introd uced himself TO me. He was on his
way TO see Gov. shepherd, who had summoned
him for his professional services. Our journey
both ways was made without the loss Of single
connection, and the trip will remain in all its
features a delightful memory to us ALL"