The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1896-03-21
Where Diaz Rules with a Master
Hand.
A LAND OF FLOWERS AND PERPET-
UAL SUMMER.

iutloA A'AnA Lab SIOukhb d 5GIOnS WV
ermental Structure-The Strong Reed
Sentiment Through the West and
South-Everywhere Admitted the Logi-
cal Republican Candidate.
A PRESS man dropped into the office
of Hon. Clarence Hale yesterday and
fou nd Mr.. Hale busily engaged in catch
ing up with the accumulated correspon-
dence, the result of four weeks absence
from the city. He with Mrs. Hale, has
just returned from that land of romance
and picturesque grandeur. the land of
Cortes, Mexico. Like all tourists who
visit that country, Mr. Hale was carried
away by its charms. Though very busy,
he found time to chat briefly and enter
tainingly of his trip.
eyes. Mexico is simply delightful said
Mr.. Hale. 1t is veritable earthly Para
disc, combination Of Egypt, Spain and
Palestine-about as near perfection as re-
CARDS climate conditions and natural
beauty as it is possible to find anywhere.
If you have read Ignatius Donnely g
book, continued Mr.. Hale, you will agree
with him in most of his impressions with
regard to the history OF the raoe in Mexi-
GO. The people of that country unq ues-
tionably are of the same origin as the
Egyptians. You find pyramids clear
cut and swell defined as In Egypt, in
Mexico, and they bear the imprint of the
same master hands of workmanship that
mark the ancient piles of the land of
Cleopatra.
"The City of Mexico, the capital is
one of the most magnificent I have ever
seen. On an elevated plain commanding
superb views, with the climate practical
ly the same the year round, the mercury
ranging from 81 degrees to 70 degrees
most of the time, it makes an ideal home
With
THE SHADES OF EVENING,
always comes refreshing GOODNESS and
no one goes out in the evening without
a light overcoat, while in sleeping one
needs substantial coverings. 5
''FromVera Cruz, in the midst of the
tropical climate few hours ride in the
cars will bring you to an altitude where
the weather resembles New England
June.
"Mexico is a city as different to any
thing we know in America az the Streets
of Cairo. There is hardly a chimney to
be seen IN the city-none in the best
houses. The surrounding scenery is
simply grand beyond description, in fact
Mexico throughout will touch the artis-
tic and poetic sense of any man who has
such side to his nature and loves what
is beautiful in the world
Did you see President Diaz, Mr.. Hale?
"We did. thanks to the courtesy of
Minister Ransom, to whom had letters
and whom / found a most courteous gen.
tleinan and popular with the Mexicans and
very successful diplomat AS 1 said,
through Mr.. Ransom, / had personal
interview with the distinguished Presi.
dent Of the Mexican Republic. Diaz i'm
presses you at onee as the strong states
man and resolute commander that he is.
He is man of stocky build with
CLEAR, PIERCING EYE.
He reminded me, in his personal appear
ance, more of General Grant than any
one else. He must have been strong
man to have brought to successful issue
tho policy he adopted when he assumed
the seins of the Mexican Governments.
He found a molly mas of political
ENHANCEMENT when he became the official
head of the nation-a nation rent and
torn by internal dissensions, without any
fixed policies, depleted treasury aud
revolution every few days. He has
wrought from this unpromising material
a substantial governmental structure and
his sway in Mexico today. Repu bio that
it is is almost as absolute as the Gar of
all the Russlas.
ssYou needn't look for any more revo-
lutiops in Mexico said the famous man
in conversation with us, and we were
finally convinced that such a thing would
be fairly impossible; at least as long as
the iron hand of Diaz guides the helm of
state.
The President expressed great admira-
ton for the United States, after whose
laws he has modelled his government. He
has strong cabinet Of able men and
Congress consists of two houses as in the
United States. Vastly mole power is
vested in the executive than with us, how
ever"
"Diaz holds Mexico in the
HOLLOW OF HIS HAND.
When he was first chosen President, the
Constitution, provided that President
could not succeed himself, SO at the end
of his FIRST term, he made way for a sue.
cessor, only to be chosen again later, and
in the meantime to Lave secured a
change III the constitution, annulling
this restrictive proviso and nothing
now stands in the way of Diaz
holding the office as long as he
lives, which seems eminently probable.
Diaz is at the head of the Libe raj PARTY
and the only thing approaching an oppo.
sition to is the clerical but this is
no small and weak it counts for naught
The church is subservient to the; state in
fact the state owns the churches, in
stead of the reverse, as Is true in so many
countries.
You can get an idea of the grip sDiaz
has on Mexico, and the little interest that
is taken. so foregone is the conclusion
of his continuous reelection, from the faot
that at the last poll, out of twelve mil
lion Inhabitants only $500 votes were
cast.
The President lives in substantial
palace in the city in winter and from his
summer palace on the heights of Chap
Jepee, believe looked upon the fair :
est view my eyes have ever seen and one
of the grandest in the world. don't