Evening star., 1901-04-03
Mr.. John W. Foster Talks of His
Recent Travels.
AMERICAN CAPITAL INVESTED
California and Its Educational In
terests.
AITING FOR M'KINL LEY

General John w. Foster has returned to
Washington from a trip to old Mexico and
California, after an absence of several
months, and today talked Interestingly
with a Star reporter concerning his trav-
els He spent several weeks in the City
Of Mexico, which he had not visited for
ten years. and also wont to other points In
the republic
Il was gratified to note the great ad-
vance the country had made in ten years,
said General Foster, ''perceivable in every
direction. The railroad system had been
extended and notably improved. and the
commerce of the country materially IN
creased. The finances of the government
have been greatly strengthened within that
time and now seem to be in condition
satisfactory to the people. Mexico is on
silver basis and the Mexicans claim that
the maintenance of that standard gives
them an advantage. There is tendency
to induce foreign capital to come into the
country, it is argued, as the money brought
III is doubled in volume, and it is claimed
has greater purchasins, power.
THE agricult urists particularly well
pleased with the financial system On a
silver basis they pay their expenses at low
wages in silver and sell their export prod
ucts for gold, so they derive what might
be termed double advantage
How do the workinsmen who are, paid
in silver like the systeIn?'
'Oh, well,' protested General Foster,
laughingly, Il am not going into a discus
sion of the silver question. There is sem
timent in Mexico among some thoughtful
people favorable to the adoption of the
gold standard, but ] think that the time
when that will be accomplished is a long
way Off
American Capital In Mexico.
There is a large amount of American
capital invested in Mexico While 1 was
there 1 met numbers of Americans who
were agents of corporations and syndicates
organized in various l,arts of the United
States, with a view to placing money in
Mexico. The enterprises that attract the
capital are chiefly mining and agricultural.
A number of American companies
gagged in the culture Of coffee on a large
scale; the cultivation of the rubber tree
has assumed considerable proportions, and
American colonies are Springng up in diff
ferent parts of the republic.
'1n the City of Mexico there is a newly
organized American bank; an American
club, together with other adJuncts of our
social order, such as womens clubs, golf
links, etc. The City of Mexico has greatly
improved It's sewage system, is laying
asphalt pavements in the streets and is eX-
tending it's limits. The architecture of the
place is improving along American lines,
especially the residences in the western
portion of the city. The whole country
never seen before in Mexico. These i'm
provements are due in great measure to
President DiaZ, who for twenty-five years
has been able to preserve peace and give
security to capital and confidence to the
business interests of the country
Has the modern trust extended it's in
f1uence into MeXico?'
Trusts have not taken hold of indus
tries to an extent prevailing in the United
States They are confined mainly to smeit-
ing enterprises, largely representing Amer
ican capital The manufacturers of cotton
fabrics are seeking to combine to main
tain prices, but in other directions the
trust methods of business have not been
adopted to great extent.
FIourishing Conditions in California.
Il spent several weeks in California,
which state 1 found in a very fourishing
condition. The crop of fruit, mainly
oranges and lemons, was so unexpectedly
large that the railroads were not able to
furnish cars to carry the fruit to eastern
markets, and large quantities were left
rotting on the ground California is des.
tined to be the great citrus fruit source or
supply for the United States.
1.-The commercial and shipping interests
Of California have been immensely profted
by our military operations in the Pacific,
and the annexation Of the Hawaiian and
Philippine Islands. and they are looking
forward to much greater benefits from that
source.
1OunO LQdC the general SeutiileAI VI
the people of the coast was largely In favor
of the early construction of an isthmian
canal. In San Francisco, however, there
are business men who are anxious lest the
Pacific bound merchandise that now passes
through that city may go through the
canal direct, and San Francisco become
way station.
1.-The Mexican government has appro-
priated several million dollars to rebuild
the old railroad across the isthmus OF
Tehuantepec 100 miles, and to locate har-
bors on the Atlantic and Pacific sides.
This route would be a rival to the Panama
railway and be located entirely in Mexl-
can territory.
Development of Educational Inter-
81 was greatly interested in the develop
ment of educational interests in California
The foundations are being laid for two In
stitutions Of learning which seem to be
destined to rival the most ancient ana
prominent colleges of either America or
Europe I refer to the University OF Cali
fornia and the Stanford University. 1t Is
gratifying to know that they are being es-
tablished through the liberality and intel
lieence of two American women.
Mrs. Phoebe Hearst has already do
mated large sums to the University of Cali
fornia and is giving greal deal of her
time and attention to the development OF
that institution The state is seconding
her efforts with generous appropriations.
Berkeley the seat of the university. is one
of the most beautiful spots In the world,
and there are gathered there about 1900
students. Under the leadership of Presi-
dent Wheeler, recently installed, the uni
versity seems to be entering upon a great
era of usefulness and prosperity.
Mrs. Leland Stanfords gifts to the uni
versity that bears the name of her son are
well known and have made that institution
one of the richest in it's foundation in the
world. 1t has attractive and unique build
ings specially adapted for educational pur-
poses, and other edifices are in course of
construction. The establishment Of these
two institutions seems to be very oppor-
tune, when the islands and shores of the
Pacific are being opened to American inter-
| course. We can hardly predict how great
may be their influence on coming genera
| tions in the orient.
1.-THE whole Pacific coast is awaiting the
| coming of President Mckinley and is pre-
| pairing to give him such a reception as no
| public man has ever received before"
Death of Mrs. Ellen Pyles.
| Mrs. Ellen Pyles, widow Of John V.
| Pyles, died yesterday forenoon at her resi-
/ 6epca (,anp SpriDoS Prince Georoe'a coup-