El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1901-03-19

Correspondence translated for The
Herald from FL Progresista.l
Mexico. March H. 1901.
Editor FL Progresista-On account
of the long illness of the president as
well as his prolonged absence from
the capital many alarming rumors are
being circulated at home and abroad.
1t is very difficult to secure reliable
information and will only send such
as seems to me to have some founda-
ton of fact.
In view of the seriousness of the &C.
casion DR.. Liceaga. the presidents
chief physician. deemed it necessary
to call a consultation of the leading
physicians of the capital, before whom
he presented a detailed description of
the presidents symptoms. This con-
sultation took place in Cuernavaca at
the presidential residence and the re-
suits were announced to the president
and to Mrs. Diaz as follows:
That the illness was due to arterial
atheroma. due to the long years of ex-
cessive physical and mental exertior
Decessitated by President Diaz's close
aDDlication to affairs of state. That the
PATIENTS condition was precarious and
that death might result suddenly. at
any time from hemorrhage of the more
delicate internal organs such as the
brain and heart. concluding with the
recommendation that the president re-
frain from all active duties and seek
absolute mental and physical repoSe.
The opinion was concurred in by all
the physicians.
= The president listened attentively to
the report. and upon its conclusion.
said:
My sickness is caused by the natural
decadence due to age and in my opin-
ion idleness and quietude would be
prejudicial as being opposed to my
lifelong habit. And in regard to the
cares and labor of governing the coun
try I do not allow these duties to wor-
~ me: I order and am oSeyed prompt
ly. efficiently and without the least
opposition. l will continue to direct
the affairs incumbent upon the presi-
Dental Office. in spite of those who,
feigning loyalty to me. desire that
should relegate to them the power
vested in me-
Instead of telling the public the truth
in regard to the presidents health. &C
cording to the report of the best physi-
clans of the country. the silly Subter-
fuge was adopted of lying about any
thing and everything. saying that the
illness was nothing and that Mexico
could safely count upon many years vet
of prosperity and happiness under
President Diaz's administration.
Nevertheless the politicians and fol-
lowers of the various would-be sue
cessors of the president are moving ac-
lively in secret and are taking adj
vantage of every recourse to place
themselves in line of the succession.
The clerical party always active and
artful and who believe the machete the
best method of government. has secur-
ed a young general and one most in
fiuentia1 with the army. for the pur-
pose of seizing the presidency at the
opportune moment. 4
The so-called Gonzalist party. also
forseeing are offering the place to Gen.
Bernardo Reyes. minister of war. but
the general refuses the honor. as long
as Diaz is alive; after Diaz's death
we'll there will then be time enough
to think about it.
The liberal party is preparing vigor-
ously for the events of the future. 1t
counts many friends among the press
and various clubs of the most i'm
portant cities of the nation. 1t may
be said without exaggeration that this
party is capable of combating all dan
gers whether from the interior or from
the exterior of the country. which may
come by reason of the sudden death of
Diaz. Even though the rumored pois-
oning of the president should be untrue
the report of the doctors can be scarce
ly less fatal.