The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1909-10-21

TAFT CROSSES BORDER.

lAFl INOSSES BORDER.
The Two Presidents Hold Conference
Behind Closed Doors In Il Paso
Building-Big Banquet Tendered
President Taft-The Two Chief Ex.
ecutives Drink to the Health of
Each Other and Their Country
Day Marred by Incident.
Ell Paso. Texas. Oct. 16.-The long
expected meeting between Presidenl
TAFT and President Diaz. OF the re.
public of Mexico. occurred here to-
day. Outwardly 1t was attended with
a display Of soidiery, a flare OF trum-
pets a boom OF cannon and a pomp
OF ceremony suggestive of supreme
authority, but IN the actual hand
clasp OF the two executives and In
tne exchange of courteous words
there was simple but cordial infor-
mailty.
President Diaz was the first to
speak. he assured President laft OIL
OF his warm personal regard ana
nlgn esteem of the man VINO mad ac-
compusned SO mucn In the fnllp-
pines, IN CUBA and elsewhere. ana
VINO had now the honor to be the
Cnlef Executive OF so great a nation
as the United States. President Tan
Al simple American fashion. declared
ne was glad 10 meet PRESIDENT Diaz.
he was giad to know the PRESIDENT
OF sucn a great nation; especially
glad TO know the present President
VINO had made the nation great.
Cordiality of Relations.
Both Presidents dwelt upon the
cOrdlailty OF the relations existing
between the United States and Mex
lco. President Taft declared that
to-day's meeting was not necessary
to make stronger the bonds OF
friendship, it merely typlfied the
strength of the bonds as they already
exist. There were less than a score
of persons permitted to witness the
meeting of the two executives. Even
these were excluded later when Pres
ldent Taft and President Diaz with
drew into inner room of the cham
ber of commerce building. where the
historic meeting occurred and were
only attended by Governor Creel,
of the State Of Chihuahua. former
ambassador to the United States,
who acted as interpreter.
The scene Of the days ceremonies
shifted from time to time from this
thriving little American city across
the Rio Grande River 20 the typical
Mexican settlement of Ciudad Juarez.
In the custom house at Juarez,
President Diaz received a return call
from President Taft, and this even
ing entertained the American Presi-
dent and large dinner party at a
state banquet. which In all its sur
roundings of lavish decorations and
wealth Of silver plate handed down
from the time of the Emperor Max
imilian, probably was the most nota-
BILE feast ever served on the Ameri-
can Continent.
Day Marred by Incident.
The day was marred by but one
| untoward incident. A school boy
was stabbed to death by companion
just as President Taft was stepping
from his special train upon its ar
| rival in the center of the city al
$50 o'clock this morning. The boys
| were in the crush of people gathered
in the plaza, and in pushing forward
to catch glimpse of the President
becam involved in a fight.
Visits Exchange.
President Diaz. ON his visit to
President Taft, was accompanied by
members of his Cabinet and military
staff. The private interview between
| the Presidents lasted for about IF
teen minutes. 1t is officially stated
that it consisted of but an elabora
ton of their public utterances and
that no matters of diplomacy were
touched upon.
| Less than an hour after Presiden
Diaz had withdrawn, Taft was on hi
way to Juarez to repay the call. Hs
was received by President Diaz with
the same honors and distinction al
had marked the visit of the Mexican
executive to this country.
President Taft and President Dia;
sat side by side at the banquet thii
evening.
| The conversation was carried or
partly In Spanish and partly through
the Interpreter who stood just in tn.
rear of the presidential chairs.
| The speeches OF Presidents Taf
and Diaz at the dinner were giveI
as toasts from one to the other Pres
ident Diaz was first to rise.
1 The Mexican executive concluded
by proposing a toast.
President Diaz's Toast.
| ST toast for the hope" said b,
that the country of immorta
Washington may always enjoy all th'
happiness and prosperity which just
ly correspond to the intelligent activ
ity and high civil qualities which
characterize the manly and cultures
American people. and for the ever
lasting glory Of the heroic founder
I also toast for the personal happi
ness of the iIlustrious President, VIII,
has come to honor us with his pres