The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-01-17
TWO PRESIDENTS 70 MBB'F
The Plan TO Bring 1Ir, Mckinley
and Pcrfrio Diaz Together.
Efforts on Foot to arrange Such an
Event on the Rorders OF the United
of the Neis s.boring Republic
WELDING Almost AutOcrafic Power

If a meeting between President McKin-
ley and President Diaz upon the borders of
their respective countries is finally ar
ranged for it viii be most interesting
and significant occasion. Nearly every
year 1t is announced that President Diaz is
10 make visit to the United States. and
various reasons are later assigned for the
abandonment Of the trip. The constitution
Of Mexico prohibits the President OF that
Republic from leaving mis- country during
/ his term Of office. There are numerous
presidents for temporary Suspension Of
even far more important constitutional
provisions than this. for the fundamental
law Of Mexico is a flexible document. sub
iect more to the viii of the President aad
Congress than that of the United States.
Presidents Mckinley and Diaz each rep
reseHts Republic in mama. but vastly
different in the application Of republican
principles to the government of u people
While ir the United States we have q Gov
erGment by the pe0pIe. the Mexican eX-
ecutiye IS more Of a dictator than he is a
public servant. Few rulers are given more
| autocratic power over their subjects than
that held By President Diaz. and it is a
tribute to the excellent character of the
man that he has not only not abused this
power. but has used II to the very best
interests Of his people. His IS the WiSe5t
and most successful Government of Span
ish-American people in existence today.
In President Diaz IS found the unusual
! combination OF military genius and civil
talent. Coming into power by means Of
/ a revolution led by himself he had every
precedent Ter perpetuating gov, rnment
such as had been IN force from time i'm
memorial in his ogn country. and now OK
/ lists in every Central American republic
/ Having Cnce established hiE1ssl If however
/ by military power he proceeded to exer-
( else the civil function as arduously and
( as wisely as if he had been called to he
/ presidency by the vote Of people He IS
! the only Spanish-Ameriean who has beea
able to make throne Ct bayonetS cush-
len II with constitution and sit com
fortably thereon for the remainder OF his
days.
Win all the success which Mexico has
( attained under the rue of Diaz the mill
tary necessities have never been lost
sight Of He IS credited with the senti-
ment that "a Spanish-American people
need strong, personal government" md
this IS what he has given to the people
under his Jurisdiction To him F1ust be
credi-od also q novel system of Gisposing
Of malcontents. Whenever a Governor Of
q State or some political leader Of power
has shown signs of rebellion ne mas been
called to the Mexican capital. been given
q position of trust and honor, but one
which IS strictly subordinate and under
the watchful eye of the chief executive
and his advisers
This system has proved far more eff.
cacious than that Of exile or of execution
and has put Mexico il a class by herseI
as distinguished from her sister repub
lies in that the ruling power is not main
taiLed at the expense Of the lives O
prominent citizens jealous Of its authori
~
President DiaZ is now an Old man. an,
while his health is good and he may liv.
a number of years. the possibility of tbs
succession is already q matter considera
bly, discussed Through his judicious en-
couragement Of home Industries and tn,
welcome he has given TO foreign invest
nents the republic viii probably con
| tinue upon the lines he has built regard
less Of who may succeed him 10 Ia.
presidency This is the optimistic view
OF the situation, and is shared BY th0s,
| who represent the vast amounts Of for
/ eign capital profitably invested in Nexi
co and those Mexican land owners who's
/ estates have become remuneratiTe unde
! the DiaZ administration Some who's
! opinions are worthy of consideratir n
shake their heads at this prediction an
| declare that with the death Of Diaz. {,
whom they give al the credit for tn
peace and prosperity of the present. vii
I come confusion and even anarchy Tina
shrewd African promoter, Cecil Rhodes
accepts this view, and not long az
abandoned his original intention of head
ing large syndicate which propose,
enormous INVESTMENTS in Mexican prop
critics
Mexico might be called a limited Re
public in that its President is chosen b.
part Of the people. for, of course. sucl
thing rs general election co.s5IIcte t
as elections are conducted in the Unite,
States is an unknown feature in Mexican
! politics President Diaz has made a sue
cess, however OF what he terms a strong
personal government" and as he has don
more than any other man of his race il
the world in That direction he certaini
has good grounds for belief in his theory
Should President Mckinley and Presi
dent DiaZ shake hands across the McIica
border Il viii be the meeting Of two sue
cessful leaders of two peoples. each tn
greatest ia their own race. The relation
between these two countries have neve
been more friendly than at present, an
only the most violent assumption can sug
geSt a conflict between them over an
possible question which may arise in tn
future. The United States is proteCte
( tc the South By 4 country whose friend
interests are identical with its own. an
Mexico is secure in the integrity Of he
Z Tertiary through the frippdShiu gF IN