Bisbee daily review., 1908-05-31
Mining, SnGItGrS~ and Stock Quotations
MEXICAN STATESMEN ASPIRE !.
To REPUBLIC PRESIDENCY

The announcement mace several
weeks ago by President PorfiTio Diaz
that he would retire from Office of
president of Mexico when his present
term expires in October, 1910, was
the signal for the beginning OF ac-
t4yity on the part of men who aspire
TO become iis successor as chief
executive. II is only little more
than two years until a new man must
be chosen president of the republic.
President Diaz's determination not
TO accept another term is irreVocable.
He will have reached the age OF so
years when his present term expires.
He says that he desires to spend the
few years that ne hopes will be left
him of life in quiet rest. He long
has had a desire to visit Europe and
to spend some time in France. but he
is said TO have given up this long
contemplated pleasure. II is barely
possible that he may visit the United
States after his retirement from Of
fee. Above all things he desires 70
see a continuation Of the peace and
prosperity Of Mexico. and 1t 5 sand
by men who know him best that he
will remain close 10 the seat of gov
eminent for a time after a change
q administration is made. in order
TO lend a helping hand 10 those in
power II trouble Of any kind might
threaten TO imperil the smooth sail
ing Of the ship Of state.
p Fair FIGHT for Succession.
. The indications now point TO a fair
and open fight between the different
political elements of Mexico for the
control of the federal machinery Of
the government upon the retirement
or President Diaz. BY this it is meant
that it is likely that there will be no
arbitrary or perfunctoTy choice made
of the man who is to occupy the shau
Of chief executive but that the free
exercise Of the ballot to determine
who the masses want will be allowed,
for the first time in the history OF
Mexico There have been many pub
lished reports during the last Seven d.
years to the effect that President
DiaZ would name his own successor;
that he had this man and that man in
training for the high Office. That he
is in position 10 exercise such a die
tatorship hardly can be questioned.
1t is said however, on reliable att
thCrity. that ne does not intend doing
so. He may have mis- preference. If
so. no one knows who the president
has chosen. At the. time the Office OF
vice-president was created a few
years ago and Ramon Corral was
brought from the distant state OF
Sonora and installed in that position,
it was said by many that President
Diaz wanted to make Corral his sue
cessCr. 1t developed as time passed
that Mr.. Corral was no more the tav-
critic of the president than any Ot1er
Of the men surrounding him. 1t is
well known that he has the very
highest regard for his minister OF f.
nance. Jose Ives Linantou. lis
whom he intrusted some Of the great
est and most momentOus govern
ment problems, OF which the acquir-
ing and marrying of the principal
railroads q the country may be cited.
Another man in whom President DiaZ
has the greatest confidence in Gen.
Bernardo Reyes, former secretary OF
war. and who for many years has Oc-
cupied the position Of constitutional
governor OF the state OF NueyO Lion.
1t has been reported from time to
time in tine foreign press that Gener-
al Reyes was not in sympathy with
President DiaZ's administration and
that he was at the head OF an Opposi-
ton party. which proposed TO stir up
all sorts OF trouble when a favorable
opportunity occurred. II is known
that there was no foundation fJi
these reports. General Reyes not Oh
.ly stated over his own signature that
ne was an ardent supporter of Diazs
government policy, but other circuzn-
stances plainly refuted the Charge
that was made against him. Genera!
Reyes retirement from the secretary
OF war portfolio was wholly Toiun-
tary on his part. As governor OF the
state of Nuevo Leon and commaLu'
OF the military zone which borders On
the Rio GranGe. he occupies positions
OF the greatest importance to the
government.
Three Aspirants.
An ANALYSIS of the existing political
situation in Mexico shows that there
are three aspiranJs to the presidency
TO succeed President Diaz. They are
Ramon Corral. Jose Ives LimantOur
and General Bernardo Reyes. These
men are each ayowed candidates for
the high Office 10 the extent that
they now are permitting their iv-
spective friends to inaugurate cam
paigns in their behalf throughout
the republic Mr.. SoTral has been inc
most active of the three candidates
in promoting his political interests
among the people. He began his as
tive campaign Immediately upon the
public announcement that President
Diaz would not accept another term
of office. Mr.. Corral is said to DC
forming a political organization that
Is to extend to all parts of the