The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-20

advice or admitting that he has made a
mistake.
This was shown not long ago in a dispute
which he had with one of his ''jefe poiiti-
cos" or local commissioners, centenarian
patriarch who had ruled over a small In
dian tribe for more than eighty years. Diaz
took the old man to task for relaxing some
OF his laws in Difference to the superstitions
and prejudices Of the Indians.
MY people would not have endured them
in the shape you ordered" the patriarch re-
piled. There would have been a revolt.
The laws were unwise."
Diaz's face darkened and his eyes flashed.
He is not used to being spoken to in that
way.
II, too, am an Indian" he declared hotly.
do you think 1 don't know how to rule
as well as YOU do?"
mo-" the old man replied. You don't
know my tribe at any rate, as we'll as do
was ruling them when you were boy
when you were baby-before you were
born. How can you know them as / know
them?"
ACCEPTED THE REBUKE.
Diaz considered this point of view for a
moment; then his face cleared and he put
his hand affectionately on the old mans
shoulder.
You are right, old father he declared,
''and 1 am wrong. Do with your people as
you wish. You have ruled them wisely all
my lifetime, and it is not for me to inter-
fere with you. But tell me my faults and
mistakes when you see them. / wish other
people would do the same"
President Diaz is now seventy-three years
old. but he looks little moro than fifty. He
has always led a healthy. open-air, vigorous
life, and time has dealt lightly with him.
His eyes are bright clear and keen, his
bearing stately, his carriage erect and his
step that of an alert, vigorous man.
1.-THE first impression made by the Presi-
dent" said a recent American visitor to
the City Of Mexico. was that Of his strong
personality. He is above the medium size.
His hair is white and combed in semi-pom-
padour style. showing his high. finely
formed forehead. He is blue-eyed and his
eyes are keen. The mouth and chin indi-
cate determined character. The most
notable feature Of the face is its pallor.
which is like that Of a corpse"
The people of Mexico are said to be much
worried by this palor. which is quite a new
thing. But the Presidents doctors say that
1t Is not due to falling health, but simply to
confinement in his Office
Until recently Diaz always took plenty Of
exercise, but OF late he has only ridden or
pultepec for a few minutes every morning
He says he Is too busy to waste any more
time on himself.
The result Of this change in his mode of
life Is remarkable. His complexion used to
be brown and rudy; now 1t is like parch-
ment. The doctors assert, however, that
| be would still be a safer risk for life in
surance company than most men under
sixty.
Most foreigners look upon Diaz as one of
| the worlds eminently successful men, but
he does not regard himself In that light.
He has done a wonderful work in Mexico,
| but he looks upon himself as failure be-
F.! cause, after twenty-eight years. he Is still
| obliged to be an autocrat.
For many years he has tried to find a
| man who could succeed him without ex-
posing the country to the risks of civil war
but he has failed. He is an autocrat under
protest. There is probably no other great
despot in the world to-day who likes his
job less than Diaz does.
| NOT ALLOWED TO RETIRE.
Again and again he has said that he would
not consent to serve as President another
term. He has told his Cabinet and the polit-
zeal leaders in Mexico to find another man.
/ They have taken him at his word and tried
| to do so. but in the end they have always
been Obliged to come back to Diaz and beg
/ him to serve again.
4 Once Diaz uerefsted that he really rnuct