The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-09-17
sILVER's CASE IN MEXICO
President DIaz's Message to Congress Is of
Hopeful Tone.

City Of Mexico. Sept. 1s.-President
| Diaz opened congress this evening,
| reading his semi-annual message cover
/ ing the period since April He said the
country was at peace with all civilized
| countries, and was generally making
more intimate ties with them. He noted
| the decision Of the court of claims at
| Washington adverse to the La Abra
claim, which bad been pronounced frau
dulent, and went on 10 consider the
! question of the proposed international
dam, remarking:
Frontier towns from JuareZ for a
distance of 1l3 kilometres down the river
have suffered damages which amount to
many millions Of dollars, and have lost
large number of inhabitants on ac-
count Of the frequent foundations from
the Rio Grande and use Of the water Of
the river for irrigation purposes on land
in the United States, which has greatly
reduced the volume Of water. In order
to remedy as far as possible these evils,
a great international reservoir has been
planned and negotiations opened at
Washington by our minister. 1t is to
be hoped that the government Of the
United States, overcoming the difficult
ties raised by spectators. will conclude
a treaty with Moxico for the execution
of this work, which Is OF vital import
ance to jewellers on either bank OF the
river"
The postoffice department and tele-
graphs owned by the government, the
message states, show a remarkable in
crease of business.
Referring to the question OF silver, as
affecting the finances OF Mexico, the
president says:
Unfortunately the present fiscal year
does no. begin under as good auspices as
the previous one. for the executive
weakness and fluctuations Of silver. Of
ten sudden and violent in their charac-
ter, have so influenced the economic sit
uation of the country that it is demand
ing the serious attention OF the govern
ment, and has caused the adoption Of
measures OF prudence. all expenses not
absolutely necessary being deferred or
reduced. The magnitude and sudden
character Of the present perturbation in
silver certainly do not correspond TO the
known causes which have produced il,
and therefore there are well founded mo-
lives for expecting that the factors
more or less ar;ificially, which may have
had an influence in the decline Of silver.
viii be Of Shor, duration, and may even
bring about a favorable reaction.
There is not. therefore, for the pres
emf any serious reason for alarm. The
nation will be able 10 pass through this
difficult period. confronting it With the
same serenity which it displayed a few
years ago when the causes produced
alarm
This portion OF his message attracted
grea; attention, AMI was favorably re-
ceived.
II was stated that the finance depart
ment has issued concessions for several
hanks OF issue in the interior and had
under study several other proposed bank
charters.
In conclusion. the president assured
congress that there was every reason for
congraIulatioa on the state q the coun-
Try, which steadily grows richer. While
.he government revenue is continually
increasing.
There Is only one thing to be regretted.
and that is the single cause. entirely
outside o. the power OF the country 70
control. which threatens 70 disturb the
foreign trade ot the republic and the
easy financial situation Of the govern
ment. The recent decline in silver.
which, II continued and aggravated.
might occasion serious consequences. on
" encourages national expectation and
manufactures. while the temporary nat
ure Of this decline. according 20 The re-
ports received by ne executive, permits
rle indulgence OF the hope that the sit
uation will soon clear up. and in sny
event the national treasury is properly
prepared % mes, ::