Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-04-23

plus from northern Mexico said Ambas-
the border and fattened in Texas or the
territories, and thence shipped to the great
packing centers. In the south the chief
markets are Cuba and South America"
What Is Mexico doing in manufactur-
ing" / asked.
ut is increasing it's cotton factories" re-
piled the ambassador. ut has now con-
siderably over a hundred factories, which
use something like sixty million pounds of
raw cotton year. The factories make
different kinds of goods, including calicoes.
They made over eleven million pieces OF
cloth last year, chiefly for home consump-
ton. The industry is protected by a high
tariff
President Diaz.
TELL me something about President Diaz,
Gen. Clayton said 1. What kind of a
man IS hep
"He is one of the ablest executives of
his time" was the reply. HE has been
president of Mexico for about a quarter
of century, and the prosperity of the
country is largely due to him.
Where does he come from, General?'
He is a native Mexican" replied Gen.
Clayton. HE was born in Oaxaca, which
is about a days ride by train below Mexico
City, and he is old enough now to have
Mexican war. He was, however, not much
more than a boy at the time. Shortly
after the war was over he left the army
to study law, but he entered it again from
time to time, taking part in many of the
civil connections which preceded his own
election as president He became presi-
dent in 1876 and then began to bring order
out of chaos. Since then Mexico has been
quiet, and Gen. Diaz has managed it's
affairs so well that, with the exception of
one intervening term, he has held the office
of president from that time to this.
Il see 1t stated that he is about to re-
tire from the presidency" said l.
Il think not" said our ambassador to
Mexico. He may give the duties of his
office over to the vice president while he
takes trip to Europe, but 1 do not think
he expects to retire.
The Day of Revolutions Gone By.
Suppose President Diaz should retire.
what would be the effect upon the govern
ment? Would there be another revolu-
tion?'
NO. replied Gen. Clayton "The day
OF revolutions has passed, far as Mex
leo is concerned The people have had the
blessings of peace for almost generation,
and they would not submit to a change of
that kind. Besides, the revolutionary ele-
nlent has died off in the interim, and
substantial business element of conserva-
tive people has taken it's place"
AS an evidence of my faith in the sta
bility of Mexico l have been investing in
government bonds. They pay little more
than similar securities in the United States
and regard them as equally safe
The conversation here turned to political
matters and l asked Gen. Clayton if he
thought President Roosevelt would be nom
mated.
II don't think anything can proven: it,
replied Gen. Clayton HE will receive the
nomination, and his election is certain.
The Panama Canal.
president Roosevelt has made a Won
-.
Clayton. He has insured the fact that
the Panama canal will be built, and in that
he has, in my Judgment, done the greatest
thing for the United States since our or
ganiZatiOn a government, with the one
exception of the Louisiana purchase. The
canal will be of enormous benefit to all
parts of the country.
You were one of the 306 who voted for
Grant in 1880, were your nOt?''
Yes, 1 was" replied Gen. Clayton, land
/ am proud of 1t. I still have my medal
which was cast in honor of the occasion"
Il would like to ask you, general, to
the anti-third term sentiment of that time.
Did it really exist in the minds of the
people or was it bugbear raised by the
politicians to beat Grant,"
1.-The anti-third-te term sentiment" replied
Gen. Clayton, was a creature of the poll
ticians, not of the people. Our citizens have
no objections to a Pres dent holding a third
term provided other Presidents have come
in between. The only reason against
third term is that the President might
his patronage for his reelection This
could not be charged against Grant for he
was then out of office and had been so for
four years"
would the third term argument have
any effect as to President Cleveland, sup
pose he should be nominated?'
II think not. replied Gen. Clayton.
''There are many good arguments against
his reelection. but that is not one of
them" FRANK G. CARPENTER.