Arizona republican., 1902-11-18
Diaz to Retire?

1 CLNt lt-tit ll-t lGBOll lS III LII ' nlcA
 ton that President Diaz is to resign,
 and this time the first day of January
 next is fixed for the event. The new
 story alleges that the venerable ruler of Mexico wishes to. demonstrate to his
 own satisfaction that his successor can
 take up the reins without causing any disturbance at home, and he wishes to prove to the other nations of the world
 that the government of Mexico is now SO firmly established that it deserves
 to rank with the best, and that peace and order are not due solely to his own personality.
 1 The story may be true, for there is
 no doubting that the great man who has SO long guided the destinies of our southern neighbor is weary of the treadmiu of power. He is more than
 seventy years old, and he has earned a rest. But his mind is as vigorous as ever, and it may be that he has shrewdly devised a plan for effecting a change in the presidency whereby manifestations of partisan feeling and all discussion may be avoided. So long as he lives and retains his faculties, no- body in Mexico will think of dlsputing his will. and no glory-hunting "revolu- tionist" would consider coming out of the brush. He can designate any per son he chooses, and that man will take the presidency without opposition; and while Diaz remains behind the throne the new president will have clear sail ing.
 The report referred to says that Senor Jose Limantour, minister of finance, is to be the new president, and this is not improbable if the change is to take place six weeks from now. There are three heirs presumptivc to the presidential chair of Mexico: Jose Limantour Ignacio Mariscal and Ser nardo Reyes. General Diaz is very fond of each of these men. Two of them, Limantour and Mariscal, he has had a his side tOr many years. and Senor MariscaT as secretary for for eign affairs has won distinction in the fields of diplomacy equal to the laurels The story comes to Arizona from time to time that President Diaz would in reality like to see Limantour, Naris- cal and Reyes succeed to the Dresi- dency in turn. and that there is some sort of an understanding that they may follow each other. Mariscal is becon- ing advanced in years, however, and he would not care to wait long for his honors.
 But whether Limantour becomes president or not, it is certain that Reyes is the man on whom the mind of Diaz is fixed for the actual success sion. Limantour may get the great office as Q toy for awhile Diaz mean time remaining with his hand on the chair to steady things, but Reyes at the proper time will take up the real burden of governing Mexico as the actual successor of the great presi- dent.
 Reyes has the qualities which appeal to one of the Diaz fibre. The govern ors oi the Mexican states are merely the resident agents of the president They are elected" and retired at the will of the chief executive, and they have little freedom of action. But notwithstanding the narrow field which his authority gave him, General Reyes as governor of Nuevo Leon proved that he is a man of strong individuality and no mean ability. He is soldier, through and through. and when he was called from Monterey to take the port folio of the war department it was an open secret that it was to put him in training for the highest office in the republic.
 Limantour, MariscaI and Reyes are firm friends of the United States, and no matter when Diaz retires it is cer- tain that his successor will continue the cordial relations which are now maintained between the two govern ments.