Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1903-09-15
FESTIVITIES BEGIN TODAY
All Is in Readiness for the Three
Decentralization.

| Today is the first day of the big
thee days celebration of the indepen-
dence of Mexico, under the auspices Of
the Junta Patriotica Of this city The
vacant block or plaza at the corner of
Washington and Fifth streets is now
ready for the crowds that will assemble
The speakers stand on which The lit
erary and musical exercises viii take
place as well as the patriotic utterances
of the orators of the week has been
handsomely decorated, and the side
walks are lined With refreshment booths
all dressed in the national colorS of the
two republics. But that is, not all. The
merry go round arrived yesterday and
there'll be something doing all the
time.
It is expected that about $50 people
will arrive this morning on the excur-
sion from Tucson. Superintendent Bick-
nell had arranged for extra coaches to
run clear through from Tucson, but for
some reason they We're not there in
time for the excursionists last even
ing, so it will be necessary for them
to change cars at Maricopa. AS the
regular NJ. & p. equipment Will not ac-
commodate so many, the train returned
TO Phoenix Immediately after the arri-
val of the train from Tucson with as
many as could be accommodated. and
then went to Marcopa again TO bring
in the rest of the eXcursionists and
those who arrive from the west this
morning. Nobody will lose any time.
1t is merely an Inconvenience for some
of them and extra expense and trouble
for the railroad.
The programme for today as previ-
ously mentioned will be brief exercises
at the consulate at 9 O'Clock this morn
ing, the cowboy tournament at East
lake park this afternoon and the lit
erary programme at the plaza this
evening.
1t is appropriate at this time to re-
count a few of the important events
in the modern history of Mexico that
those not familiar with the most in
terasting but bloody history Of the re-
public may better understand just what
the MeXicans are now celebrating.
In 1908 the abdication of Charles VI
of Spain gave q fatal blow to royal au-
thority in Mexico. An lnsurrection
broke cut in 1910, headed by two priests.
Hidalgo and Morelos. the former. Mi
guel HidalgO. being recognized today
as the real savior of his country, the
father o. the republic. Hidalgo soon
had an army of 100000 men. but after
varying success he was betrayed to his
enemies in 1871. and four months later
executed The rebellion was partially
put down in 1915 but guerilla warfare
continued till 1921. when Iturbide placed
himself at the head of Il constitutional
monarchy. On his expulsion the con-
gIess reassembiing formed a provision
al government modelled after that OF
hi Of
proved falla cious. After this period
the history of Mexico is a record of
political commissions in constant success
sion, revolution following revolution
and president following president. In
1886 Texas declared her independence,
recognized by this government in 1915.
Immediately followed by war between
this country and Mexico, then presided
over by General Santa Anna. Peace
was restored in 1913. the United States
acquiring California and New Mexico.
Left to themselves the government
was not well esta blished when in 1861
England, France and Spain joined in
/ demanding settlement of pecuniary
claims On the failure Of an ultimaturp
sent to President Juarez, an allied force
was dispatched. but settlement was
made with England and Spain. France
then occupied the country, proclaim!ng
Archduke Macmillan of Austria en-
! peror The French were finally driven
out and Macmillan shot, after which
Juarez ruled with practically absolute
power. He died in 1872. Tejada, the
chief justice. assuming the presidency.
| He was succeeded in 1876 after revo-
luton by Porfrio Diaz. the present
president and the wisest and ablest
| ruler Mexico ever had. He IS now serv-
| ing his sixth successive term as chief
executive of that republic.
But it was the bold move Of Miguel
| Hidalgo at II O'Clock On the night of
September 10, 1910. that made the Mex
leo OF today a possibility.