Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-05-03
the Spanish authorities withdrew their


forces from Mexican soil.
Yturbide, however, was never In favor OF
a republic. He was always q monarchist.
He might have been the Washington OF
Mexico IL he had been less ambitious and
had possessed more patriotism and princi-
pie. but he was tempted By a CROWN and
fell victim of his own selfish aspirations.
The house in which he was BORN in the
Gale de Yturbide, Is marked by tablet
bearing this inscription:
'El q de September. f7s3.
Sacio en- esta Casa
Angustin de Yturbide
Libefador de Mexico
Yturbide belonged to one of the old aris-
tocratic Spanish families whose ancestors
received large grants of land in this vicinity
from Charles and whose descendants still
occupy them The family is large and infiu-
entail. 1t has furnished many useful citi-
gems for Morelia. The present head of the
clan Don Eduardo de Yturbide, a nephew
of the general, has handsome residence
in the City of Mexico and a hacienda here.
His brother Felipe de Yturbide, is also one
of the principal citizens. He has large
hacienda, is interested In two or the banks
and several other important enterprises IN
town. Both of these gentlemen and nearly
all of the family have been educated In
Madrid other parts of Spain and retain
their respect for the Spanish customs ana
traditions, which they observe so tar as IS
possible under these circumstances. Iney
are highly respected, but are very exciu-
Sive.
Career of Yturbide.
Augustin Yturbide entered the Spanish
army as a cadet when he was only sixteen
years old and was twenty-seven and cap
tain of infantry when the revolution for IN
dependence began. He took an active part
In the defense of Spanish authority and was
placed in command here at Morelia. He
was rapidly promoted until ISL, when ne
turned about. deserted the Spaniards, joined
the cause of independence ana was given
command of body of revolutionary troops
known as the army of the three guaran-
tees" 1t was SO named because or the con-
ditions in the famous plan of lguala
proposed by Yturbide as a compromise De-
tween the Spaniards and the revoluuonlsts.
The three guarantees were the recognition
of the Roman Catholic Church, the political
equality of Mexicans and Spaniards and the
independence of Mexico as a constitutional
monarchy, with Spanish prince on the
throne.
The Spanish viceroy, Juan O'Donahu, &C
copied these terms and signed treaty or
peace. while Yturbide established regency
to govern the country in the meantime Inc
Spanish corteS, however, refused to accept
the terms, and junta of prominent citi-
zens, which Yturbide had called, elected him
emperor He accepted the throne and was
crowned Augustin ! on the 21st OF July,
1922. His reign lasted four months and M
teen days, until the 9th of December, when
congress repudiated him, declared all of his
acts illegal and banished him from the
country.
Yturbide's Death.
Yturbide went to England and from Lon
don wrote the regents warning them against
a conspiracy among the priests for the res
toration of Spanish authority and Offering
his services In behalf of the republic. Con-
gress formally rejected them, declared him
traitor and sentenced him to death should
he ever return to Mexican SOIL Ignorant of
this decree and eager to restore himself to
the good opinion OF his fellow-countrymen,
he landed near Tampico, was arrested,
condemned to death and shot July 10, 1874.
His son was sent from Morelia to the
University of Georgetown. District of CO.
lumbia, and while a student married Miss
Green, a member of prominent George
town family. Their son, commonly known
as Prince Yturbide, was adopted by the
Emperor Macmillan and the Empress Car
lotta, who had no children of their own,
and has paraded as a pretender to the
throne of Mexico. His fathers relatives
here, however, have no more respect for
him than for his mothers relatives in Wash
ington. He does not have any standing in
either country. One of his cousins said this
morning that they did not even know where
he was living. The last heard of him he
was in New York and they were very well
satisfied II he would keep away.