The San Francisco call., 1909-07-28
REYES T. !. n:ss. e.. CURRAL
Riots in Guadalajara Have Vital significance in
Choice of Diaz's Successor

THE riots in Guadalajara, Mexic
drawn attention in striking fashi'
and the rapidly approaching cris
President Diaz has the confidence ar
no doubt. That this same public IS
cessor is becoming equally apparent
was the most violent manifestation OF
is one of vital concern to the United 81
much OF the interplay of Mexican poll
San Franciscan with large interest
facts yesterday as will serve to throw
The demonstration at Guadalajara
was the outward exhibition of the rising
popularity of General Bernardo Reyes.
The movement was not intended so
much against Diaz as against Ramon
Corral. who is a candidate for re-eelc-
tion as vice president. The new spirit
calls for Reyes for vice president.
which means Reyes for president when
near its end. Reyes is looming big in
the politics Of Mexico. A few years
ago little was heard of him in connec-
tion with the presidency. Ramon Cor
raj and Jose Yves Limantour were re-
garded as the men in line for the place
The past months have witnessed a re-
markable growth OF the Reyes boom.
1t has now reached the proportions to
challenge the ambitions OF Corral and
Limantour.
Reyes has all the qualities that ap-
peal to the Mexican imagination. He
is above all military man. strong. ag-
gressive and fond of show. He is es-
sentially man of action, quick and
blunt. He is devoted to the army and
the sentiment is reciprocated. Reyes
is short of stature, strong of frame and
pleasing in countenance. He wears a
flowing beard and a heavy mustache.
Although Reyes has never been cred
tied with the remarkable diplomacy
that has guided Diaz so successfully
through decades OF trials, he has. like
Diaz. welcomed American capital and
has steadfastly afforded it the fullest
measure of protection.
Perceiving that the day is az hand
when Diaz must relinquish his power,
the people of Mexico are turning in
Increasing numbers to the strong man
of Nuevo Leon. the province over which
Reyes presides as governor. He has
given no outward evidence of personal
activity in the movement in his be-
half, but those who know Reyes say
he is ambitious and alert.
In the elections set for next year
Corral will be candidate on the ticket
with Diaz. There is grave fear that
Diaz. now in his eightieth year, may
not survive his term. Thus it happens
that the crisis has been forced while
Diaz still lives.
Corral has been popularity regarded
as Diaz' choice, but Corral has grown
weaker politically during the years he
has been vice president. There is a
strong feeling that he is largely re-
sponsible for the trouble with the
Yaqui Indians. 1t is felt also that he
is merely the puppet of Diaz and not
of the iron caliber necessary in a Mex
lean ruler. The cry is for strong man
and Corral does not measure up to the
demands of his countrymen. Still the
influence of Diaz may overcome all
these obstacles.
Limantour. the capable secretary of
the treasury. has a large following
that hopes to place him in the presi-
dency. Between Limantour and Reyes
there has long existed a feeling of
bitter enmity. So great was the dis
sension that unceasing friction pre-
vailed as long as Reyes was in the
cabinet. Reyes had been called from
Nuevo Leon by Diaz to accept the port
folio of war. In this position he built
up the army of modern Mexico. He put
into force the methods that obtained in