Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-09-29
Mr.. ROOT IN MEXICO
Plans for Reception of the Sec-
rotary of State.
UNDER DIRECTION OF DIAZ
President Gives Personal Attention to
Arrangements.
IN HISTORIC CHAPULTEPEC
Castle Practically Refurnished for
American Visitors-Personalit
of Sonora Diaz.

Secretary Roots visit to Mexico, whether
for the purpose of more closely allying the
interests of the republics for serious diplo-
matte settlements or from motives of pure
friendliness and personal interest, will be
a memorable event in that country.
The interest of President Diaz, or Don
Porfirio," his people love to call him, in
all things pertaining to this country, gov
ernmental and otherwise Is well known,
and, no matter what the pressure of cxecu-
tive business may be, he always has time
for interviews on the subject of American
progress. He is anxious for the invest
ment of American capital in his republic,
and is constant student of affairs polit-
iCal and otherwise, in the United .Jtates.
President DiaZ personally extended the
invitation to the Secretary of State and
Mrs. Root tC visit his country and he
vii! personally entertain them. The settle
ment of just how this was to be done las
occupied months of close study. the min
Istrr of foreign relations. lgnaCio Mariscal,
having assumed the task for President DiaZ.
To give the entertainment of Secretary
Root and his family the sumptuous ele-
ganCe which surrounded his visit to Brazil
and other republics required no little study
on the part of Senior Mariscal. for life at
the Mexican capital is far simpler than that
at Washington.
The Presidents Residence.
his own residence, an exceedingly modest
house of two stories located in the old bust
ness section of the city, in Cadena, a mar
row street traVersed by an electric car
which barely leaves room for two carria ses
to pass. but this was not feasible. 1t is at
this winter residence, however, of the Presi-
dent and Sonora DiaZ that a reception will
| be held for the visitors. This house is
old one, dating back hundreds Of years, us
adobe walls fully three feet deep scarcely
showing u touch of time. Its front eleva-
zion is commanding in its simplicity, there
being two rows of generous windows. one
i've the other and wide entrance
guarded by soldiers night and day. even
! when the big iron grated doors are closed.
y ElmpS" Of the great square patio within
gives th- first latimation to the pass arhy of
TN really Eomrlikt residence of Don Poriirio
piuz. The chambers of this private resi-
nee are many and richly furnished. for
Sonora D!aZ IS as noted for her excel, mt
taste as for her gracious goodness. How
ever, this rcsid ance was not ample for turn
ing over suite sufficient in size to accom-
m"ddte Secretary Root ard MS family with
dignity, ana the president and Sonora Diaz
vacated Chapultep"c Castle, their summer
home, carly IN the scasun-they generally
remain there until in Novembcr-that it
might be practically refurnshed for the
/ Am .riCau visitor.
Chapultepec Castle is not only the summer
home OF President DiaZ, as il was of Maxi
/ milan and the rulers of Mexico before him.
but in part of il j. located the National
Military College. Mexico's West Point In
fact. the training at the two schools is
quite similar. The castle as it now stands
was completed in 1885 a Il cost of hundreds
OF thousands Of dollars, and when chosen
for the presidential palace in 1887 was ev-
tenSyeIy renovated. Its chambers and halls
/ are spacious and imposing and the galleries
/ and terraces which surround it are truly
| beautiful.
In Historic Building.
! BY some curious coiucid .uce it is lust
/ sixty years ago this month since ChapuIta-
pc WAS seized by the American tioops-
. utember l. ana Il. 1>lT-uaGar q IN.
: Scott, Who then proceeded TO take the cant
+ tai CT Mr&.gu. and Secretary Root viii be
all AunoI,d guest in the castle occupied as
/ Ia a .Cr.rters H5 our invading army. From
/ his stately apartments he will look down on
! the simple monument erected to the cadets.
| who though ordered by Cen. Scott to quit
/ the castle, hcroically remained to defend il.
4 Q