The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1891-09-17
THE MEXICAN CONGRESS-.
President Diaz Addresses it on the Present
Condition of the Country.


CITY OF MEXICO, Sept. 15.-Presi-
dent Diaz opened congress this even
ing and in his speech said that the
foreign relations of Mexico with other
nations were excellent; that he had
named commissioner to the None
tary Convention at Washington, also
a commissioner to arrange recipro-
city treaty with the United States.
That the convention with Guatemala
for arranging the boundary limits had
been extended two years, that the
mixed claims commissioner of Qua
temala and Mexico had ex-
pired without finishing the
work, and that Mexico was trying to
obtain an extension of time. The
commission appointed to arrange
treaties of peace, friendship, COM
merce and navigation had such treat
les with Santo Domingo and Italy.
Speaking of the Esmeralda affair he
said that the government had refused
coal to the Esmeralda, but afterward
quantity, which was absolutely neces-
sary for sailing the ship, That the
Chilian junta asks recognition, but
the government demanded time for
an investigation, as it wished to be
neutral. That the governmental re-
lations had been commercial with
Japan, the Argentine Republic and
Russia. That he had appointed
a commissioner to the Geographical
Congress in Switzerland; that new
ministry of communications and pub
lie works had been established; that
new sanitary code had been pro-
mulgated, the penal code reformed
Snd the public school system improv-
ed; that mining was progressing fa-
vorably, and that the public lands
were being rapidly taken, and that
agriculture was flourishing; that
Mexico had accepted the invitation of
the United States to attend the Chi
cago Exposition and that he expected
congress would grant the
would enable Mexico to make
a showing worthy of the
place she occupies among the civilized
nations of the world; that Mexico's
postal relations in the interior were
good, and that the government was
extending it's postal facilities and new
routes; that postal receipts last year
were 81 ,097 ,434; that seven new steam
ship lines have been contracted with
out subsidy; that the government was
extending it's telegraph lines as the
railroads were extended; that the
Monterey and Gulf railroad
had been finished to Tampico,
and the Inter-Oceanic to Vera
Cruz; that relative to the Tehuantepec
railroad the government had ordered
the contractors to finish the work;
that all other lines were progressing
and there were now 10,100 kilometres
in operation; that new highways were
being built and that the harbor works
at Vera Cruz and Tampico were pro-
crossing; that the Tehuantepec line
will soon be open from the Pacific to
the Atlantic; that the work of drain
ing the valley of Mexico was progress
sing and that the government
was improving the light
houses along the coast; that
he was confident that the new customs
UaflII, aS puDllSHeu, Will d llpOlol lO
| form to increase commerce, would
more than cover the expenditures and
that as heretofore the money would
be placed in Europe to pay the inter-
est in advance; that the banks are
operating regularly and increasing
their business daily, and there is no
fears of a.crisis, because the govern
ment exercises the precaution to see
that their circulation remains within
their limits; that the nations credit
abroad deserves distinguished place,
and is subject to slight, but natural
fluctuations; that the Indian troubles
in Sonora were ended, and the army
W as being moralized scientifically. In
conclusion the president said:
"Gentlemen, congressman and
senators, you see our coun-
try progressing and developing
| it's natural elements without precipi-
tation or conversions of any kind,
consequently without risk of crisis
or panics and war, country satisfied
with it's institutions; dedicated to a
peaceful developing of its natural re-
sources by labor, and to the consolida-
tion of her credit by prudent busi-.
ness reserve and the respecting OF
contracted obligations"
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