The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-03-21
LIMANTEUR AND REYES
THE W. LEADING CANDIDATES To
SUCCEED PORFIRIO DIAZ.
Rivals on the Most Friendly Footing
and Both Actuated by Patriotism
as Well as Ambition.

Less than ten years ago Jose Ives Linn
anteur was a comparatively young and
very wealthy lawyer in this city. He was
unknown to political fame. He aspired
to some degree to be known as a writer
of essays on economic topics. His work
attracted the attention of President Diaz.
He had known the man socially for a long
time, his wealth and position were I'M
questioned, the profoundness of his educa-
ton, his knowledge of the world through
foreign travel, and his legal ability were
matters of common report. After satisfy
ing himself that Mr.. Limanteur was such
a man as the Diaz administration needed,
the President decided to bring HIN into
the official family.
There were several very disagreeable
things TO be lone in connection with the
financial department. The interstate taxes
were to be abolished, and a number of
reforms instituted which would not be
locally popular. The President proposed to
Mr.. Limanteur that the latter should be-
come temporarily assistant secretary of
finance and that Mr.. Romero, then minis
ter to Washington, should be brought home
and placed in charge of the bureau until
all the disagreeable things were accom-
plished and then that Mr.. Limanteur
should be made the minister of that de-
partment, Romero retiring. This was an
alluring prospect for an ambitious man
who saw therein an opportunity to bring
his intellectual batteries into play, and
Mr.. Limanteur accepted the proffered
portfolio.
He developed such remarkable ability in
his handling of the financial affairs of
Mexico that ii was but a short time I'M
til he was the acknowledged leader of the
Mexican Cabinet. His relations with for
eign governments through personal ac-
quaintance were friendly and intelligent.
His knowledge of the fiscal systems OF ali
the great nations of the world was pro-
found. and in his career as minister of
nnance 1t is apparent in the reforms he
has instituted that he has accepted the
fundamental principles evolved in the ex-
perience of civilized nations.
LIMANTEUR AN INTELLECTUALLY.
So great has been the work of this min
lister and so strong is his influence that he
stands to-day with a large faction as the
leading candidate for President of the re-
public to succeed Porfrio Diaz. Mr.. Ii
manteur is an intellectuality. He is a
strong man physically; he is naturally
slight of build and gives the impression
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his personality emanates little magnetism
or nervous force. He is suave, courteous,
politely vivacious iii his conversation, but
has none Of that dominating personal force
which makes Itself felt upon those in prOx-
unity.
When Jose Limanteur enters into con-
ference with the next important cabinet
official in the government, General Ber-
nardo Reyes, the minister Of war, the two
leading candidates for the presidency of
the Republic of Mexico are closeted to-
gether. Treating each other with the ut
most Difference and politeness. working to-
gether for the comfort of President Diaz
and the glory of Mexico, each recognizes
in the other a possible rival, a conflict
with whom might tear down much of the
structure of peace built by the hands and
with the brains Of their aging chief.
General Reyes is a man about fifty years
living the life of a soldier from his boy
hood to the present day. He is short of
stature, slight of build, quick of action.
Brave and daring as a soldier should be. he
Is of sentimental and poetic temperament,
impulsive. headstroRg and passionate. He
IS beloved by the army for his military ar
dor and achievements. The common sol
has increased their pay by q considerable
amount. He has gradually but effectually
~reOrganized the military arm of the Next
can government until il is marvelously i'm
proved over what it was less than a decade
ago. He has now at his command a force
of $500 well paid regular soldiers, armed
with Mauser rifles and Differed almost uni
versally by graduates from the military
school at Chepultepec. the West Point of
Mexico. 1t is current gossip that this ner-
vously constituted soldier was so indiScreet
at a dinner given in Monterey as to boast
that If he was given but a little more time
and money he would soon have the Mexican
army in such condition as would enable his
country TO Withstand any possible attack
from the United States.
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The first civil work of consequence done
by General Reyes was the holding of the
office of Governor of the State of Neuva
Leon. Monterey is the capital of this state,
the most American city in Mexico, and
General Reyes has, therefore, been brought
into close contact with many Americans
and understands very thoroughly the value
to Mexico of American friendship and the
investment of American capital.
The rivalry between Limanteur and
Reyes for the political succession Is grow
ing keener with every passing day. 1t is
not ou~tspoken on. the part of the princi-
pals, but the personal friends of the men
concerned are not so backward in dis
future. While Mr.. Limanteur is now
practically acting as President. and while
he has been, and is intrusted with great
responsibilities by the President, there is
an almost fatal defect in his political
strength in that he has no military ele-
ment behind him. In Mexico the man
with the army at his beck and call
can do almost anything. and 1t Is upon
this factor i'm the situation that the friends
Of General Reyes are counting TO place
him without much difficulty In the execu-
tive chair. Ii is said that quite a number of
years ago President Diaz minated that
General Reyes was his choice as a success
scr and that he is now training him for the
position.
IL is rather fortunate for Mexico that
the two rivals for the presidency are not
both soldiers. If they were they would
probably be able to divide the armed forces
of the country and make trouble all
around. AS II Is Mr.. Limanteur would be at
a decided disadvantage when 1t came TO a
show of force. His following is very
strong. however, and the line between the
more and more clearly eine 1t is already
perceptible in the congressional body and
even in the City Council, while IT has long
been a factor in social affairs. The two
thousand students of the college OF the
City of Mexico are a noisy and effective
political force. There are very few occa-
siOns on which some of these students do
not land in Jail or get into serious diff
nculty owing TO their frank and rather
c~bstreperous political discussions: The sup
port of these students is naturally desired
by every politician, and IL is one of the
signs Of the times that General Reyes is
the idol of the student body and whenever
he meets with them he is acclaimed as the
next President OF the republic.
Mr.. Limanteur is of French descent and
it * claimed that his commercial sym
pathies are largely In that direction. The
French flag is naturally not very popular
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