The Savannah morning news., 1903-12-20
BY JUAN OTALORA.
Copyright, 1903, by T. c. Mcclure.

His mind is broad and his views liberal.
He is not above taking advice or ad-
hitting that he has made a mistake.
This was shown not long ago in
dispute which he had with one of his
"jefe politicos," or local commission
ers, a centenarian patriarch who had
ruled over a small Indian tribe for
more than eighty years Diaz took
the old man to task for relaxing some
of his laws in Difference to the super
stitions and prejudices of the Indians.
MY people would not have en-
dured them in the shape you ordered"
the patriarch replied. There would
have been revolt. The laws were
unwise."
Diaz's face darkened and his eyes
flashed. He is not used to being
spoken to in that way.
81, too, am an Indian" he declared,
holly. "Do you think 1 don't know
how to rule Indians? Don't you sup
pose 1 know them as well as you dor"
NO." the old man replied. You
don't know my tribe, at any rate as
well as l do. 1 was ruling them when
you were a boy-when you were a
baby-before you were born. How
can you know them as 1 know them?"
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 de-
clared, "and l am wrong. Do with
your people as you wish. You have
ruled them wisely all my lifetime, and
it is not for me to interfere with you.
But tell me my faults and mistakes
when you see them. 1 wish other
people would do the same
President Diaz is now 70 years old,
but he looks little more than so. He
oil I'D
vigorous life, and time has dealt light
ly with him. His eyes are bright,
clear and keen, his bearing stately, his
carriage erect, and his step that of an
alert, vigorous man.
THE first impression made by the
President" said recent American
visitor to the City of Mexico, twas
above the medium size. His hair is
white and combed in -pompadour
style. showing his high, finely formed
forehead. He is blue-eyed, and his
eyes are keen. The mouth and chin
indicate determined character. The
most notable feature OF the face is
it's pallor, which is like that of a
corpse"
The people of Mexico are said to be
much worried by this pallor, which is
quite a new thing. But the Presi-
dents doctors say that 1T is not due
to failing health, but simply to con-
finement in his Office.
Until recently Diaz always took
plenty of exercise, but of late he has
only ridden or walked in the park of the
Castle of Chapultepec for a few min
utes 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 rud-
dy; now it is like parchment. The doc
tors assert, however, that he would
still be safer risk for a life insur-
ance company than most men under
so.
Most foreigners look upon Diaz as
one of the worlds eminently success
full men. but he does not regard him
self in that light. He has done a
wonderful work in Mexico, but he looks
upon himself as failure because, aft
er 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 with
out exposing the country to the risks
of a 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.
again ana again ne mas SAID tnat ne
would not consent to serve as Presi-
dent another term. He has told his
cabinet and the political 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 all
ways been obliged to come back to
Diaz and beg him to serve again.
Once Diaz persisted that he really
must retire. II am an old man and
a rich man." he told the cabinet II
am tired Of power. have always lived
in Mexico. and want 10 travel and
see foreign countries before / die. II
is time took a rest and enjoyed the
evening OF my days as 1 choose"
His colleagues admitted the reason
ableness Of his wishes and said they
really would find a successor. Day
after day, evening after evening, they
conferred; name after name was sug-
gested-but all ia vain. This man
would steal, that man would rule un-
wisely. that other maa would provoke