El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1901-03-13
WHAT is IN STORE FOR MEXICO?
THE QUESTION DISCUSSED THAT
IS NOW UPPERMOST IN THE TWO
REPUBLICS.

|
President Diaz, and in the probable
succession in case of his death, is as
Intense in the United States as it is in
Mexico So vast are the financial and
lother interests held by Americans in
Mexico, that the stock markets and
the prices of the metals are directly af-
fected by the reports that are stirring
the people of both nations. while eX-
porters and importers anxiously watch
the bulletins.
| There is a mass of falsehood in the
rumors that fly about, and there is a
large proportion of truth The Herald
endeavors to sift out the falsehood
where possibly discernible. but in SO
doing it does not feel called upon to
discard all rumor as falsehood. The
reason for this has been given before.
1t lies in the fact that freedom of
speech is not as sacredly guarded in
Mexico as in the United States. and
there is a certain system of censor
ship that prevents the communication
of damaging facts to outside persons.
People wto he had practical exper-
fence in EOWsD-per work and CORES
pondence in Mexico understand this.
The ordinary dispatches that come
through the regular channels of COM
munication cannot be relied upon. AS
to the actual condition of the presi-
dent there is great deal of difference
of opinion. One presumably well in
formed person will give it out that the
president is failing fast. another will
say that he is in better health than
he has enjoyed for years. The only
way we can approximate at the truth
is to strike an average.
About the best general account of the
present state of affairs in Mexico that
has come to The Herald's notice is
that written by ]. D. Whelpley. the
we'll known journalist, to the St. |
Louis Globe-Democrat, and repub- /
lished in today's Herald.
The article by Mr.. whelpley takes
the middle ground that President Diaz
is worse than some people would make
it appear and not so far gone as 9TH
ers make out. The correspondent rec
ognizes the dangers that lie in wait for
The republic when it's powerful dictator
pear to think that there is such a
mass of plots and counterplots as is
in some quarters.
The Herald is inclined to believe that
he closest friends and supporters of
President Diaz are trying to conceal
he presidents real condition. in the
,ndeavor to avert trouble and to pre-
pare for what must be the inevitable
ssue-the ultimate death of the ruler.
t is also likely that there is a large
mount of intrigue and even plots that
avor of treason, among certain por-
ions of the upper classes of the peo-
lie. while it is unlikely that there
would be much If any assistance to be
,ained from the masses of the people.
In the event of the death of DiaZ,
recognized as the second
lblest man in Mexico, will become
lis successor. If there is any trouble.
my attempted revolt. it is more than
that such can be readily put /
lown. But all this is by no means lo
ertain. liz
If any great change is wrought, it '
will be by a quick coup. through the c
rmy. The civil leaders will be forced h
o accept it, as better than revolution, a
7hile the masses of the people can be h
ron by patronage and flattery. The t
reatest men in Mexico today are the v
They will use the force t
ne country and the security of prop S
rty. If lesser. but more popular and p
lore warlike men are permitted to adj e
linister the actual machinery of gov a
rnment, it will be under the real s.
uidance of the civil leaders. who t.
ill be able to bring United States and p
European influence to bear of sort il
lat will compel moderation and in a
.rnal peace. a
There will be no revolution. in the Il
sense. with bloodshed. and a W
,mplete overthrowing of the basis of Il
edit and investment. When Diaz dies, a
lie change will not be good for the ii
'untry. There will be an interim. at a
asst. in which Mexico will lose part n
the financial support she has been
ceiving from other countries. A more VI
dical set of men will ostensibly come T
the front. There will probably be te
me changes that will be greatly to ii