The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-03-05
TROUBLE AHEAD
MEXICO NOT AS PROSPEROUS AS
 fl SEEMS ON THE SURFACE.
Despotic Methods of President Diaz Have Arouse Much Discontent-
 Who Will Succeed Himp

City of Mexico Special
 In this city you may read almost every day interviews with capitalists and tour ists In regard to what they think about Mexico" or how they like Mexico" In these interview yoI will see nothing but the most unlimited, not to say fulsome. praise.
 When on January 1 and September 16 the dean of the diplomatic corps makes his customary speech to the President of the Republic, the public peace, the pros perity, the growing industries. the pro gress, the vast internal resources, the great mining industries, etc.. are the theme of the discourse.
 It Is true that an enormous amount of foreign capital IS invested here-railways electric plants, smelters, mines etc. tSee United States Consul General Barlow $ last report to the State Department.)
 All Is bright and smiling. But there is a crisis impending and signs of trou- ble are beginning to tppear.
 Ambitious Men Not Wanted.
 Only short time ago General Bernardo Reyes, Minister of War, resigned his place for the alleged reason that hls son, lawyer, had attacked MT. Limantour, the Secretary of the Treasury, In news paper. The son roundly denied this in the public prints and said that he had never written line for the said paper. It is said that the true reason for the resigna- ton is that 1t was forced upon him by General Diaz because Reyes was suspect ed of seeking popularity in order to be- come a candidate for the next Presidency
 Shortly after ths a newspaper here published an article to the effect that Mir Limantour, the Secretary of the Treasury and presumably General Diaz' choice for next President, was not eligible for the office. for the reason that his father was a native Frenchman never naturalized in this country. This article caused such an impression that the Diaro Official con sidered it necessary to publish a contra diction, saying that as Limantour had been born and educated in this country he was de facto a Mexican citizen and, therefore, eligible. Diaro Official. as its name indicates, is published by the Gov ernment itself.
 Diaz Not <opular.
 It is mistake to suppose that General Diaz is popular throughout the republic and that he Is loved and admired by all classes. When the liberals defeated the clericals they absolutely despoled them of everything they had. They took away from them everything fear to the Roman Catholic soul. All the church property was conhscated and declared to be the pr, perty ot the republic. Even the Were inc!dded. The cathedral in this city Is today he property of the republic. The priests are permitted to perform the services in the churches and the people may worship there, but still they are public property. No priest Is permitted to wear his ecclesiastical garb in the street; no religious processions are allowed outside of the churches and the cemeteries; no nunneries are permitted to exist in the republic. Would 1t be sur prising if the clericals, wealthy and nu- merous IS they are. should rise if they have the opportunity? This opportunity will come when General Diaz dies.
 It is true that as long as the President lives all will be lulet. After him, per haps, the deluge. It all depends upon wh m his mantle nay fall It is thought that Mir. Limantour, the present Secre- tary of the Treasury, will be the one chosen. It is beyond a doubt that the one selected by Diaz will be the next President of Mexico. Diaz will maintain him in his position so long as he tDiaz) is alive but II must be remembered that Diaz IS now more than 70 years old.