Evening journal., 1897-09-17
He USED A PONIARD.
Savage Attack on President Diaz
Mexico's Chief.
ASSAlLANT FAILED IN HIS PURPOSE
de Was Seized by an Army Onicer and
Then Hurried Away by the Police.
Various Theories as to the
Cause of Onslaught.

Nhuse OF OnslauBhts
E CITY OF MEXICO, Sept. 17.--An at
Pack was made yesterday on President
z Diaz as he was proceeding from the
palace to the alameda to distribute
medals to the survivors OF the war
The city IS in a fever OF excitement,
ana the stories generally are conflict
( ing
The most reliable version Of the af-
fair Is that as the president was enter
ing on foot the alameda or Central
park OF the city a middle aged man,
armed with a long poniard Jumped
Forward from this crowd and made an
attempt to stab the president.
He was at once seized by the presi-
dents suit and the police and heavily
handcuned.
Then by side streets, under a strong
guard. he was taken to the Fourth
4 ward police station house.
The president was walking, as is his
custom, on Independence avenue and
was between Minister of Communica-
tiOns Mena and General Berriofabal,
minister of war
General Mena grappled with the
would be assassin. who was at once dis
armed and handed over to the police.
The excitement among the foreign
colonies was intense.
Yesterday was the anniversary of the
declaration of independence.
The attack on the president was made
Just before the military parade started.
Rumors Of various kinds soon loated
ar0upd among the crowd. and the ex,
citenlent became intense.
The assailant was a middle aged man,
with long, dark hair and a prominent
nose He looks something like an Ital-
ian. The attack may be the result Of
the recent propaganda here against all
forfI.s Of anarchists.
one Jose Ventre, from Spain. has just
beer expelled from the country and
sailed two days ago on the Ward line
steamer for New York.
Another version, that the man was
simply presenting a petition. is not be-
lieved.
The prisoners name is Ignacio Anulfo
The ceremonies were not interfered
with and the parade started on time
and was reviewed by the president, as
planned at the national palace.
President Porfrlo Diaz OF Mexico is
among tho foremost statesman of the
new world. He is Justly conspicuous
not only on account OF the success which
has attended his military operations
and civil government OF a republic
which had long been the prey to strife
but also on account Of the progressive
spirit with which he has infused his
countrymen.
He was born in the city of Oaxaca
the capital Of the state Of that name
Sept IS. 1880.
His father and mother belonged L
the upper middle class, having boil
Spanish and Indian blood I'm their veins
Dias was a born soldier. His earlies
toys were guns and swords. He be
came student at the seminary o
Oaxaca and studied theology and ca
nonlcal law.
From 1854 down TO the present Dia
has been almost continually IN his coun
try's service. When the united Liberal
eventually broke the power Of SAINTS
Anna. he was a captain. In the wa
OF reform which followed he rose 10 tn
rank Of colonel. He became a brigad
commander In 1862 and a general in tn
early part OF the so called Maxlmiliai
empire.
He was first elected TO the presldeno
of Mexico In 1876. and the country ha
prospered under his flve successive ad
ministrations.
His entire life has been one OF sue
cess, and he Is popular throughout Mex
leo. He has had many thrilling ad
ventures, both on and of the battlefield
and has been pronounced dead, ii hav
ing been thought that he had bee
drowned