The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-03-25
MEXICAN AMBASSADOR.
Senor Don Manuel Asplrez, the New Am
bassador, in Washington.
THE RELATIONSHIP OF THE TWO NATIONS
HIS Purpose o. to strengthen and
Develop the Trade Betvccn the
sister Republics.

Washington. March 2l.--The new Next
can ambassador. sencr Don Manuel AS
plrez. who succeeds the late Senior Romero,
arrived in Washington today. He left
Mexico city on the 1lth. stopping at ri
Paso and ST. Louis. where he was hand
somely entertained by the commercial
bodies and the Spanish American citizens.
Senior Aspirez Will be the first representa-
tive of Mexico to present credentials for
the high rank OF ambassador ioT while
Senator Romero was commissioned to
that rank he died on the day set for the
presentation of his credentials.
The new ambassador was seen az the
Mexican embassy shortly after his arrival
to-day and talked interestingly ON current
questions between the United States and
MEXICO. he speaks hnglisn fairly wen.
Naturally my main purpose IN coming
| 10 Washington, SAID the ambassador, is
| to strengthen the good relations between
| the United States and Mexico In every
\ way possible. and in particular 10 deveIup
| the trade and commerce which two good
neighbors should have with each other
| Newspapers reproduce Mexican press
CT mments on the recent utterances of Ce-
| Gil Rhodes, prophesying the absorption
| BY the United States of Central and south
| American countries. But this press COM
ment is purely unofficial and in no way
| reflects the views of the government. MIR.
| Rhodes is an interesting character and the
| papers are quick to seize on his utLerances
and give 1t much significance But it is
| nothing more than the opinion of any prt-
| vate individual and receives no serious at
tention hey ond that. Throughout Mexico
the press and public are sincerely friend
ly toward the great republic to our north
| The ambassadors attention was called
| to the statements of Correo Espan1l, pub
lished in Mexico City, in reference To
| American deprayity in Cupa.
That is a Spanish paper, ne said, and
the views expressed are merely those of
the Spanish element. Under our liberal
laws, giving freedom of speech and free
dom OF the press considerable latitude is
| allowed in editorial discussion, Just as 1t
is under the enlightened laws OF the
United States. But no significance should
be attached 10 the utterances simply be-
cause they are made in Mexico City Only
small element OF our people are pro-
Spanish by reason OF ancestry or relation
ship. The great bulk OF the people treat
such matters with indifference and regard
the Unlted States as their nearest and best
friend
Senior Asprez explained that his ref
erence to closer reciprocity relations be-
tween the two countries did not relate to
any formal move for reciprocity treaty
under the Dingley law, but was merely
expressive of his general purpose to
foster reciprocal trade. This trade, he
said. ran far into the millions, and was
growing constantly. Mexico bought the
bulk OF her goods from the United States
instead OF from European countries He
| pointed out that the great mining, mineral
and agricultural resources OF his country
created a large demand for American
goods. and the people wanted our ma
chinery and all the appliances OF indus
try preferring them to those of other
countries. With the extension of the rail-
road system between the two countries
this mutual exchange was sure TO in.
, crease. and the nations brought into close
trade relations
> Referring to President Diaz. the am
, bassador said The president Is enjoy
! ing the best health. He has remarkable
vigor for a man OF his years. Although
now about So he looks twenty years young
er. and he has the same vitality of mind
, and body that has served to give Mexico
, such wonderful impetus under his ad-
, minstration. IL is not too much to say
that the country has made more progress
in the last twenty years than she made In
the entire period OF her existence before
then. And this great stride has been made
largely through the craftsmanship 81
President Diaz. 1t may be said that the
United States and Mexico are walking
hand in hand, one representing the high
est type Of Anglo Saxon and the other o.
Latin civilization -
Tho ambassador speaks In high terms
! of the Americans in Mexico. and says the
: country invites them as citizens and In
vestors. The American colony at Mexico
City numbers about 500 and Americans
are scsttered all through the country, de-
veloping railroads and mines Senior AS
plrez also refers to the favorable impress
sion made by the United States ambassa-
1 dor, Mr. Clayton, in his relations with