The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1895-02-02
MEXICO AND THE MENCANS.
Characteristic Patriotism of the
Students.
Feeling OF the Inhabitants Toward
Americans.
Some Noticeable Characteristicso of Presi-
dent Dtsx-His ambition to
Serve His Country.

WIN Va ooAOiai DlhZ 10 the presidency
for the second term, and just before his
Inauguration. Within a few days after
my arrival the city became turbulent,
and serious results seemed to be inns
minent. The cause of the trouble WAS
proposition in congress to pay what were
called "the English claims"
The facts concerning them appeared
to be that 10 or 30 years before a gov
eminent not recognized as legitimate,
borrowed several million dollars of Eng
lishmen. which never went into the
public treasury. nor was it expended in
the public services. The claims had
been repudiated by the government.
The sum demanded at that time and
which the pending bill proposed to pay,
was $50, 000,0 900. which included princi~
pal, interest compounded, q lot of
etceteras and SIS 900, 900, as was alleged,
for President Gonzales and congress.
The students and other spirited young
men OF the city regarded the measure as
an outrage. They assembled in large num-
bers in the galleries of the house of reps
resentatives, and when q member spoke
against the measure they cheered him,
and when one spoke in advocacy OF it
they Kissed and hooted to an extent
that drowned his voice. All attempts
to clear the galleries by the executive
officers of the house were resisted and
failed. The police force of the city was
CALLED in and it was unsucceseful, but
in the attempt to expsl the students
some of them were killed. This drove the
students to fury and they were daily rein
forced until the military OF the city
were called into service. They were
not able to suppress the hostile demou-
STATIONS. which were made every after
noon at 4 O'Clock, when congress con-
vened. Finally the rurales were sent
for and they were able to suppress dis
turbances. Gonzales persisted and the
students and their friends also persisted,
and the feeling against him WAS 80 ex-
acerbated that his life was IN danger.
There were several days during which
alarm WAS general among the people.
and at O'Clock all stores were closed,
and also the window shutters of resi-
Gences.
II the bill had passed General Diaz
would have entered upon his duty when
the city and country would have been in
a stormy condition. l made the &C
quaintance SOON after my arrival, though
a mutual acquaintance of Don Alfonso
Lon Castro Jones. whose grandfather
was native of Wales. Jones was an
Nble lawyer. a senator and close friend
Of Diaz. He came to my room several
times and kept me informed as to the
real condition of affairs. l had said to
him that would like to call on General
Diaz, to whom Jones made my wishes
known. L was informed by Jones that
General Diaz was busilv engaged in dis
posing of the trouble, though he WAS OPP
posed to the bill pending in congress
and waH endeavoring to persuade Con-
gales to abandon the project, but that
Gonzales was obstinate, and that finally
he was driven from his purposes by the
threat of DiaZ to pronounce against him.
After the bill was abandoned and the
distur Dances ceased, Jones came with
carriage to take me to see General Diaz.
He said after we entered the carriage
that Gonzales Was very mad at "Mr.
Day." / suppose he called him Day to
show that he understood some English.
The Acquaintance who brought Jones
and me together, WAS with as, and he
could speak the Spanish language with
facility. General Diaz was at his own
home and received me in room in the
second story. He could not speak the
English language any better than l
could the Spanish, and hence We con-
yersed through an interpreter.
The conversation lasted an hour or
more. He talked with freedom and
frankness. He said Mexico needed de-
yelopment, and the people education
and more intercourse with people OF
other coun tries, and his policy would be
to encourage education and development
of the resources of the country, and
81 60 OH
full. He asked me what effect change
of administr would have respecting
relations with Mexico. Mr.. Cleve-
land had just been elected presi-
dent. | replied that l had no
idea there would be any change; that
the people of the United States were of
one mind on that subject, and that all
desired the most friendly relations. |
asked him as to the feeling in Mexico
regarding the people of the United
States, He said there had been good
deal of prejudice and dislike which grew
up under events which transpired long
ago. and that the feeling OF hostility was
very much modified by the act of the
United States government in notifying
TIE Emperor Napoleon to take his troops
from Mexico, and the placing OF large
force under Sheridan in Texas as a
threat to expel them in case they were
not withdrawn. He remarked also that
individual Americans. while in Mex
leo, often did what was otfens-
i've, which tended to keep
prejudice alive. In response |
stated that some OF our criminals
escaped into Mexico, that sharpers
sometimes went there and class who
put on airs which were offensive to the
Mexican people, but none of these
classes represent the character OF the
body of the American people. He said
he was aware of that. but the mass of
the people of his country did not UNDER
stand it, and added: 1.-The trouble has
been that the people of both countries
have been looking at each other through
telescopes, that they were now connect
ed by iron bands. and they will have
better opportunity to gain knowledge
of each other" This expression indi-
Gated the most friendly feeling toward
this country and a determination to
cultivate relations that would be mu-
tually beneficial.
President Diaz ia hardly up to the
msdium-szed American; is compactly
built, has quite dark complexion and a
keen and determined eye. l had no
doubt after seeing him, and have none
now, that hia highest am btion IS to pre-
serve repu blican government and to be
Q benefit to his country.
LIONEL A. SHELDON.
Pasadena. Jan. 28. 1895.