New-York tribune., 1901-02-10
WONTEZUMA'S CAPITAL.
uEYICO AS A MODERN AlfERI-
CAN CITY.
rv SECRETARY FOSTERS ACCOUNT OF
THE NEW DRAINAGE CANAL
AND OTHER MUNICIPAL
IMPROVEMENTS
city OF Mexico. January IL

Nm n
s,nning of the last century, pronounced the
.,,aI of Mexico the best built city this
tor,;snbere During the rule Of Spanish Vice
- under the stimulating influences of the
.,est riches yielded by the mines of Mexico, the
,.ri,al contained a population much greater
han that n any other city Of the New World,
.,s II numbered among its public buildings
...bAaral uneauaIled in size and architectural
,,-.,+ions the result cf a hundred years ~
,hor and pious contributions, institutions cf
,o.rning. and benefcence public gardens and
s-.,,.s without rivals in any other of the West
-, countries But during the first fifty years
;. the independenoe Of the country, torn by civil
dissensions. the capital remained stationary. or
:. .i,,es even retrograded while New-York and
,,buaaalrbia as wei as BIO de Ianeiro and
,,,,oros Avres outstriuped il in the race for
,onrla-ion and development. All that was
,ee5ed however, 10 enable the City Of Mexico
a-a,r n take its place among the first cities
~ the hemisphere was the preservation OF pub
pc order With the establishment by General
nisz Of a government Of peace and security, be-
Ginning at the close ~ 1876, the capital gave
tbe first symptoms Of returning prosperity.
When it became apparent that the new chlef
of the State had the power 70 preserve a con-
tinuous government Of law. and the executive
ability 10 awaken the dormant resources OF the
country. under the new regime Of peace which
hss ar last dawned upon the country, the CITY
NJ Mexico entered upon era Of prosperity
'rnnaralleled in its history. Population began
10 flow in from the surrounding States. Native
wealth. which had been hidden away OF de-
nosited in Europe. returned 10 the natural chan
nels Of trade and foreign capital which dur
ing the time OF disorder had kept away began
n seek methods Of investment Before the
first term Of Diaz came TO close, the construc-
ton OF railroads had been entered upon. under
Government aid
EVIDENCE OF GROWTH.
Today the capital Of the republic presents ~
the old time resident the most impressive evil
dence Of the growth and prosperity ~ the coun-
irv During the Diaz administration it has
nearly doubled in population. the census Of 1900
showing over four hundred thousand souls. The
area Of the city has greatly extended, especially
in the suburbs 10 the west and northwest For |
merly il was regarded as unsafe for a well TO do
family 10 live outside the city gates; soon as
the new Government could give an assurance OF
safety TO life and property the movement Of
suburban enlargement began. and now the most
BEAUTIFUL and commodious private residences |
ars found in the quarter named, far away from |
ths noise and hustle of the centre of the city |
In all parts the price of real estate and Of rents
has largely advanced especially 10 the west II
the National Palace. and marvellous stories are
told OF the enormous increase in value in sub
urban real estate-many hundreds per cent; and
Il is gratifying 10 be informed that wide awake
Americans have shared in the profits. the pro-
jectors OF La Colonia Americana" laid out by
a New-Jersey corporation, being among the
most successful promoters.
The evidences of progress and prosperity are
to be seen on every hand. The streets are much
r,or Ga7 sba he lone
more numerous. and among these Americans
predominant. The shops are enlarged and mul-
tiplied in number. In the central part of the
city substantial houses have been torn down TO
give place 10 magnificent business edifces con-
structed Of steel and marble, with electric ele-
vetors and all modern appliances OF a first class
establishment IN New-York or Paris. The Gov
ernment has taken the lead in this era Of recon
struction. a new and extensive general hos
pital, one Of the largest and best equipped in
the world and new penitentiary, as perfect as
the advance in humane study could make II.
have just been completed. The foundations ~
Hall Of Congress. which promises TO he a N
Imposing edifce. are being laid and the appro-
priations have been made for a new depart
ment postofice and other public buildings which
will greatly beautify the city. The many friends
In the United States Of the late AIatias Romero.
Washington, viii be glad 10 learn that the
great advance in real estate largely enhanced
ms modest property in this city. In his will he
STATED that he owed all he possessed 10 his coun-
ny ano he devised the great body Of his estate
." Ihe rounding Of a Home for indigent old peo-
ie' which will constitute Of the improve
ments of the capital
DRAINING THE CITY.
me greatest achievement Of the new order of
tnihss is not apparent to the casual visitor
refer TO the great drainage canal recently com
peeed' AS is well known, the City Of Mexico is
situated in the bottom Of a valley entirely sur-
rounded by mountains. with series Of lakes on
'he southeast and northwest. draining into a
sat water lake which has no outlet. on the
S"ores or which this most ancient city Of Amer
ica was located For six hundred years from the
.iHe or the ancient Aztec kings. the artificial
talnage OF the waters OF the valley has been
"e PeAed problem Of each succeeding Govern
"ent The Spanish Viceroys exhausted the en-
sheering science OF their epochs spent bun
ufeos OF millions OF dollars and sacrificed the
nNes OF hundreds Of thousands OF the natives
~ the vain attempt TO solve il During the first
naf century Of the republic spasmodic and
i'eoie attempts were made 10 effect the drain
ase but succeeding revolutions or foreign wars
uepr1Ved the Government of the financial means
~ accomplish the herculean task. n was re-
served for President Diaz 10 achieve suocess
W This great enterprise. He was forced 10 de-
'aF the beginning Of the work for some years
until the financial condition OF the public treas
u'y would Justify IL. and until he was enabled to
secure contracts with experienced engineers and
trustworthy capitalists Finally for the last
'''ne the project was entered upon, and was
successfully cOrnuIafed two wears ago The svs