The Washington times., 1907-09-22
ROOT AND DIAZ
MEET TO THRESH
WORLD ALTERS
Secretary'S Trip to Mex
leo Certain to Bring
Results.
Questions of Grave I'M
portancc to Come
Up at Meeting.

When Secretary Root sets out Sep
TENDER - to pay a visit 10 Mexico he
Will undertake what viii in all likeli-
hood prove to oe the most important
mission to d foreign country he has at
tempted. II appears probable il will be
productive of more important results
than Mr.. Roots Canadian visits. and
that. in some respects at least. il will
be OF more moment than the South
American trip Of the Secretary OF state.
II Is certain the trip, In view Of the
elaborate preparations made for Mr..
Roots reception. and in view OF the
prospective meeting Of Mr.. Root and
President Porfirio Diaz, will be pictur-
esque and spectacular.
Diaz Statesman.
Some well-informed people there are
who say unreservedly that PoTfrio Diaz.
the former ragged Indian boy OF Oaxaca.
who has risen by sheer power Of will
and intellect, and has nodded Mexico
into a powerful nation, is the greatest
living statesman. 1t Is petty well
agreed that In Secretary Root, the
trained and gifted corporation lawyer,
the United States has a chief OF the
State Department who is competent to
Erapple with the ablest Of the worlds
diplomats. II may be assumed that
WREN men like Diaz and Root meet it
will be not simply for The purpose OF
passing the time Of day and uttering Of
fetal pleasantries.
il viii probably not develop for a good
while to come just what subjects will be
taken UP by President Diaz and Secre-
tary Root 1t may be assumed there
will not be much verbal fencing and
diTiocountering when these two men
meet. but they will go at the things
they have to discuss in direct fashion.
Central American Conference.
OF course, one of the subjects that viii
not pass unnoticed will be the coming
convention in Washington OF the five
Central American republics looking TO
permanent peace among them. There
will be no difficulty in reaching a COM
plete understanding on this matter, so
Tar s the United States and Mexico are
concerned, TO the end that the rights
Of each republic may be properly pro-
tccted and the agreement that is pro-
posed among them may be kept
Mexico is the country. being Latin
American, that is in position properly 10
make suggestions as to the course OF
the conference and the terms of the
convention
Wants Understanding.
There are many reasons why the re-
lations between the United States and
Mexico should be cordial ana free from
suspicion. There is not much doubt that.
booking well TO the future. Mr.. Root
wants the best possible understanding
with President Diaz and the men who
are 70 follow Diaz on a wide range Of
subjects. II is patent that at the rate
the commerce Of Mexico is growing the
trade between this country and the re-
public Of Diaz will expand rapidly II in
tsuIsently cultivated.
II is quite likely he and President Diaz
will discuss a large variety Of topics
bearing on these matters and on the
general subject Of closer and I.lrger
s trade intercourse. President Diaz has
been wise enough Systematically TO en-
courage American capital and It may
be taken for granted he will omit no op-
Pcrtunity that opens for his country's
commercial betterment.
COaling Station.
1t is generally believed here. too. that
Secretary Root will take up with Presi-
cent Diaz the matter Of leasing ground
on the shores Of Magdalena bay from
Mexico, to be used for naval and coal
ing station American relations with
Iqpan are such that II might be found
desirable to devote great expense to
building up the naval facilities on the
Pacific. Should the United States ever
have to go 10 war with the Pacific as |
the chief theateT, IL is apparent such a |
station would De desirable and that the 1
closest possible understanding with /
Mexico would be valuable.
The United States is concerned over
the large numbers Of japanese and Chi |
nese that are being smuggied through |
from Mexico.