The Norfolk weekly news-journal., 1905-12-29
THE LAND OF THE AZ|EC(
o. MATHEWsoN RETURNS FRoN
A DELIGHTFUL TRIP.
WENT TO THE CITY OF MEXICO
The Party with Which Mr.. Mathewson n
Travelled Was Given a Private Re.
eeption by President Dlaz-Trip Of
lifetime rhorouahlY Enjoyed.

Travelled Was Given Private Re
eeption by President DIaz-Trip OF
Lifetime Thoroughly Enjoyed.
Mr.. u. Mint c',,u has Just returned
from dclip TIN aud instructive trip
into Mexico, and talks interestingly
and enthusiastically about that sun
land of the A2tocs who were conquered
by tho disciples OF Christopher Colum'
bO.
Mr.. Mathowson had the good fortune
to bo n guest OF tho Stillwell party
over that new railroad, the Kansas
City n orient. which when completed
will be the shortest trans.continental
line In North America. There were
about eighty guests aboard the Mex.
lean special when they left Kansas
City--six of them being from Nebras.
ka. and the remainder being scattered
from California to Maine. at was n
jolly crowd" said Mr. Mathewson, "and
everybody was prepared to make the
best of the trip"
Mr.. Mathewson spoke In particular
of his visit to the City of Mexico. and
was much impressed with the man.
ners, customs and appearances of the
sonoras, senorlttas and scnors Of that
city. He says there is not at present
strictly American hotel in the city,
but that another year will see such
an institution completed and that an
effort will be made to make II n win
ter resort for those who can AFFORD to
go down into the Spanish republic.
An American banquet had been
planned for the party, but owing to
the untimely accident which caused
the death of the United States consul
the day of their arrival. II was not
held, President Diaz, however, held
an informal reception at his private
residence and personally met each of
the party who attended. This was an
unusual occurrence as all such recep
tlons are usually held in the govern
mcnt building. but his masterly sense
of etiquette realized 1t would simply
be private reception, instead of a
public affair, if held in the city at the
capitol
The president can talk very good
English, but his Castilian blood tells
on such an occasion, as he adheres
strictly to the Spanish of his fathers
and had his interpreters present to
assume their Office of translating all
Spanish and vice versa 1t will be one
of the occasions which will forever
remain green in the memory of Mr..
Mathowson.
The midday parade of the elite and
ariStocratic of the city was feature
difficult for the Americans to compre-
hend. The stores and stalls are all
closed from II until o'clock, and the
gailv decked turnouts of the wealthy
senors, as we'll as all who can AFFORD
an outfit, are to be seen driving up
and down the principal streets. OF
course the fair senorittas accompanied
by their fond mnmmas, tutors or chap.
erones appear in all their Mexican
Spanish linery, while on the walks and
crowds of the gay young MeXcans
dressed in the height of fashion with
cigarettes of the choicest Cuban
make. who salute their tavorites and
friends in the vehicles as they pass
along, 1t is a custom carried hither in
cary days from the Spanish capital of
Nj lrid. and is therefore honored from
ger GRAFTON unto generation as are their
other non-progressiVe customs, which
ret ri tie growth of all the Latin re.
puhics where the people think and
plan much more for holiday than they
do tor work Three days were spent
in the city at the base of the noun.
tains and still 1t is over mile above
sea level
The new road over which the party
Travelled is already over LOCO miles in
length, and will be pushed across to
the gulf ot california and become a
competitor for the Isthman canal
when both are completed. Mr.. Math.
ewsOn says II is n country of great
promise, and that good lands are now
selling IN northeastern Mexico for
Sl25 an acre and upward, and that it
is an excellent cattle or ranchmg
country.
President Diaz is making all kinds
of concessions to bring Americans and
American industries into his country,
and the new American bank in the
City of Mexico has doubled its bust
ness during the past year. The coun.
try is now on the gold basis which has
added substantially to its bond value,
and that it will certainly prove a boonl
to 1t commercially. is what Mr. Math.
eWson is inclined to think.
THE FOUNDER.