New-York tribune., 1902-02-04
REYES MAY SUCCEED DLAZ.
REPORT THAT THE PRESIDENT OF NIEX-
ICO IS TO RESIGN CREDITED
IN WASHINGTON.
rBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE. ]

Washington, Feb. 3-The report to the effect
that President Porfirio Diaz Of Mexico is prepar-
ing TO retire from office before the expiration Of
his term is received with interest in all circles in
Washington. and with considerable credence in
some circles. The fact that the report was sent
out from Monterey, Mexico, ostensibly the
authority Of a member OF the Diaz Cabinet,
mparts to it a substantial character which, in
the opinion Of well informed persons here. II
might not have had had it come from other
parts Of the neighboring republic. Monterey is
the home of General Reyes, formerly Governor
OF the State OF Nuevo Leon, and for several
years Secretary Of War in the Diaz Cabinet
It has been known in Washington for some
time that President Daz, the maker Of modern
Mexico. training General Reyes to succeed
him at the head Of the government Reyes Is
young. alert, and apt student Of the Daz
school. Having been reared so close to the
border. he IS not only Intimately acquainted
with the affairs Of the United States. but he is
also a great ADJ -er Of all the institutions OF
this country. Elnce if he should succeed 10 the
responsibilities which now weighing
heavily on Diaz there is every reason TO believe
his administration would be even more friendly
and cordial toward the United States than has
been that Of President Diaz.
1t is known here that for several years Diaz
has been anxious to lay down the cares and
In private life, but he has been unable to do this
because there has been no one who in his judg-
lnent was exactly equipped for the tremendous
task which for so many years he has had to
carry almost alone. General DiaZ is old man,
and people who have seen him recently declare
that his age is telling upon him. Moreover they
say that unless he obtains rest and repOse-
something unknown to him for more than thirty
years-the Mexican Republic will be deprived
or his helpful counsel much sooner than It would
be should he retire from Office and see the man
trained by him for the work installed in his
place. he is now serving his fourth term of
SIX years each as President and has put Mexico
on firm and enduring foundation, having re-
duced its revolutionary elements to proportions
smaller than We're ever before known in any
Latin-American country and established a stable
condition of social order that is conducting to a
rapid development of the country's material
resources. 1t is feared that If he should die in
Office the struggle for the Presidency would lead
TO turmoil and excitement that might set Mexico
back many years and disturb all property values
in the republic, whereas if he steps aside while
still in the full enjoyment of his vigorous men
tai strength and places at the head of affairs a
man Of his own choosing, such as General Reyes,
the social order of the country would not be
disturbed by fierce political strife and the coun-
try's paterial progress would suffer no check
The report Of President Diaz's intended re
tirement is sufficiently circumstantial as It
reached Washington, TO arouse lively interest
here in official circles.