The Washington times., 1903-11-27
Free-Hand Comment
On Men and Manners


culation to the effect that Gen. Porfrio
Diaz is about to resign as President Of
our sister republic. Mexico. This rumor
Is sure TO excite wide interest IN this
country. and no little concern. for Mex
leo is so near to US. and the CONNER
cial and other relations Of the two
countries are so intimate. that It would
cause great annoyance here should that
country again become a vortex OF inter-
nal strife and kaleidoscope revolutions.
During the long period that Dlaz has
held her down with an iron hand peace
and security have reigned IN Mexico,
and the country has made steady prog
ress. Diaz has ruled as absolute dicta-
tor. and there has been none other
strong enough to oppose his will The
title OF president" has been merely
one OF convenience. as the elections have
been mere farces. not manipulated but
wrenched. 10 suit the purpose OF this
one dominant man. But there is a gen.
eral feeling that when Diaz dies, the
principal politicians Of the country will
contest in bloody strife for the presi-
dency. or II one be set up by apparent
common consent some other will soon
try to pull him down. Before Diaz him
self gained the ascendency, he was en-
and he became President in 1877, as the
result Of revolution which he himself
started, driving President Lerdo from
power. Today. the health and age OF
Diaz are taken into consideration by
foreigners intending TO invest IN the
country He must soon give up the
reins now, as he was born IN 1880. and
in the course OF nature cannot hold on
much longer.
Some Of the most prominent Ameri-
cans having business interests in Mexi-
co have been urging for some time that
President Diaz appoint his own sue
cessor Immediately, and act as his ad-
wiser until the new man get a firm
hold 1t is to be hoped that the Mexi-
cans have so thoroughly learned che
adva ntages OF peace that they will be
slow TO plunge into strife again. We
should find It hard to endure. 50 near
our doors, the condition OF affairs which
existed before Diaz gained control
Never had a defeated politician a
more appropriate name. save the incor-.
rect photography. than that unfortunate
has-been General Wos. now a refugee
in the British consulate at Santo Do
mingo.
II Col William Jennings Bryan stays
abroad long enough his popularity may
wax so great over there that the over
flow viii be sufficient almost TO elect
him President again some time. On oc-
casions de handing perfect confidence
and a ready How Of oratory. Colonel
Bryaa stands without a peer It might
not be a bad idea to send abroad two
or three or our most poiylOquent citi-
zens, as travelling ambassadors, with
instructions to our Representatives At
foreign courts 10 entertain them az
state dinners. and see that they talked
There is no more genial sort OF oratory.
nor any more likely 10 stimulate inter
national amity. than post9randial elo-
queHce. Col William J. Bryan. the Hon.
Bourke Cochran. and the Hon Henry
abroad as official entertainers and after
dinner takers. The last named could
be ill-spared. bus doubtless the smart
set would pay his expenses so long as
he desired 10 stay away.
This years football season. which Is
now drawing TO a close. has not been
so prolific in serious and fatal ACCT
dents. perhaps. as is usually the case.
Il would be "a rare football season.
however that was not responsible for
announce that young Felix McWhirter.
OF Depauw, who was injured in the game
PLAYED yesterday at Paris. H.. is not
expected to recover. There is some
thing peculiarly distressing and pathetic
IN the death OF a young man, cut of
just at the opening Of his career, and
many would abolish entirely a game
which has on numerous occasions caus-
ed fatal accidents. We should not for
get. however that IL is by such sports
as these that the hardy young man
hood OF our race is developed II we
are too tender with our boys, we shall
have no men. II is very doubtful. too.
II our American youth could be re-
strained from those Spartan sports
which serve as a safety valve for more
courage, exuberant vitality. and rest
essness than the world has ever known
efore-
il is true that the japanese are Sc
tly organizing an Asiatic league. then
emendous. possibly a world-beating,
n IS being formed A recent dis
to the New York Sun" calls
ion to the report that Chinese
men. Siamese princes and Persian
RS have been meeting secretly
vo. with the possible object OF
n a league The japanese,
are the very people to set
on foot Japan is the one
aa lom that has opened its
d stern progress. and IS at
Oh ell abreast OF the times
as America. Wonderful lit
tie csc Japanesei Progress
sive. learn and apply, good
nRhts who have lived for
wears unite in testifying that
the II OF that country have
no me We for Europeans than
have 2. who regard all for
eigners The Japanese are so
DoItte He'd the French of the
East. n no know declare that
this mol only skin deep. Il Is
unite Dc these little people
/ have befa for years OF Asiatic
! dominate 4 welding the vast
ksiatic h Their into one resist
| less unit
There is riouc American Nv
I ing who De gratihed that
movement TO bring home 10
this cOuntT . OF that romantic