Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-10-06
MEXICO AND THE UNITED STATES

Many reasons conjoin at this moment to
! attract the worlds attention to the ex-
| terror relations Of Mexico
center OF which has become politically
A++.n+,ox, and economically the fore
! most OF Latin American
| countries. Mexico celebrated on the 18th
| OF September the ninety seventh anniver-
| sary Of national independence. which dates
from the instruction of 1870 President
| Dias In opening the annual session of the
| congress on the 18th reviewed the salts
factory progress of the country, financial.
Industrial and political. and among other
| questions the labor problem and the Cen
trail American conflicts in which a -disas-
| trous war had been avoided. due to the
combined action Of Mexico and the United
| States. The presence OF Mr.. Root at the
Mexican capital. where he has been re-
ceived with great cordially by both presi-
dent and people, marks an epoch in the rela-
tons between the two representative re-
publics Of America
President Monroe's message to Congress
in 1922 following the treaty at Cordova
concluded by 1turbide in 1921, recommend
ing the recognition Of the Spanish-American
states. may be said to have been the first
move toward rapprochement between
Mexico and the United States. James G.
Blaine was the first American statesman
to formulate policy of American industrial
union, of American protection, political and
economical. Elihu Root lends direction in
the present movement to the manifest des-
tiny of both republics until now shut within
walls Of prejudice quite as high and insur-
mountable those of Picking.
Just here and for reasons that will be
apparent in the criticisms of our present
relations with Mexico 1t is well to recall
the past relations Of the United States to
that country the better to refute the asper-
sions which are being. cast upon the mo-
tives and good intentions of the government
at Washington.
Mr.. Joel Roberts Poinsett was appointed
in 1925 minister to Mexico by President
Adams the recommended
Fo1nsett's ton OF Mr.. Clay, Secretary
M;s.;,, of State. He was instructed
to bring to the notice Of the
Mexican government the message Of Mr.
Monroe Con the 2Sth OF December, 1929, as
sorting certain important principles of in
tercontnental law IN the relations of Eu-
rope and America. The first principle as
serted in that message is, that the Ameri-
can continents not henceforth to be
considered as subjects for future cooniza-
tion by European powers. The other prin-
ciple asserted in the message Is, that while
we do not desire to interfere in Europe with
the political system of the allied powers
we should regard as dangerous to our
peace and safety any attempt Oh their part
to extend their system to any portion of
this hemisphere.
These instructions were afterward made
the subject Of some discussion in the House.
in the course of which Mr. Webster said:
THE proceedings Of the allied powers at
WONDERED. and in the course Of the very year
then expiring the King of Spain had been
established on his throne by the army of
France. Under these circumstances the
10 h1yn1y f1a oil Il
powers will act toward the former Spanish
colonies in America? Having succeeded in
establishing such government as suited
them in Spain ITSELF would they not or
might they not, be willing to go further
and to assist the Spanish monarch in re-
conquering his rebellious provinces? 1t
was possible they might do ths-perhaps
it was not very improbable At this
juncture the Presidents declaration was
made. The amount Of 1t was that this
government could not look with indiffer-
powers to assist Spain in her war against
the South American states; that we could
not but consider any such combination
friendly to us; and that it IL should be
formed 1t would be for the competent au-
thorities Of this government to decide, when
the case arose. what course our duty and
our interest should require US to pursue
The Intervention of the United States in
1862 to prevent the establishment of the
Macmillan empire on the
Friendly ruins of the Mexican republic
Nova for the United States the
grateful sympathy of all
Mexico. If the action of the United States
until then could be taxed as unfriendiy and
incorrect, the Intervention to rescue in
moment when the republic seemed hope
lessly lost was accepted by Mexico as
Precipitation for past sins.
The advent of Senior Matias Romero
minister of the Mexican republic to the
United States in 1868 marked era of
peace and good will which has been con-
stantly maintained by his successors.
The present constitution of Mexico dates
from February 5. 1857. By its terms Mexico
is declared a federative republic divided
originally into nineteen states, but now
increased to twenty-seven. The president
is elected for six years. but according to
for consecutive terms, provision made
because of the immense popularity of
Porfirio Diaz. who with quiet dignity has
accomplished reforms without shock or
commotion. By the decree of May 9. 1904.
the office of vice president was created,
his election to take place in the same
manner as that for president. In the
absence of the president the vice president
performs the functions Of the president
either temporarily or to the end of the
term for which elected. Congress meets
annually from April TO May 81 ana from
September 16 to December To-
Porfirio Diaz was born in the state of
Oaxaca and is Of Indian origin on his
mothers side. He was edu-
Mexico's Gated for the priesthood, but
his inclination led him to
enlist in the army in 1S47.
Subsequently he studied law and was
ISOLATED with Juarez and later was pro-
fessor of Roman law in the institute. In
1854 Diaz served under Herrera in the re-
volt against Santa Anna and in 1850 he
supported Juarez and became brigadier
general in the war for reform in 1859. Diaz
was distinguished In the war Of the French
Intervention and was promoted general
at Pueblo May 5. 1862. He was COM
mander-in-chef subsequently. defeated
Marquee and secured the surrender of the
city of Mexico in 1867. In the same year
he was defeated for the presidency by
Juarez. In November, 1875 he was chosen
provisional president and in April. 1877,
was regularly elected for the term ending
in 1880. Ineligible for reelection, he secured
the election of Gonzales, during whose
D{aZ N ne he