The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-08-15
By RUDOLPH DE zAPP.

President Taft viii meet Gen. Porhrio
Diaz, the President OF Mexico. October
IS. IN the center OF the international
bridge over the Rio Grande at FL Paso,
the boundary stream which divides the
United States and Mexico. For years It
has been the dream OF the people Of FL
Paso TO have the rulers Of the two great
North American republics meet at this
point and when Benjamin Harrison visit
ed Fl Paso IN his first term and William
Mckinley paid a visit to the city in 1900
efforts were made TO have Gen Diaz as a
guest also. but he was unable to get there
either time.
However. no American President has
ever before extended a formal invitation
to the President of Mexico to meet him al
FL Paso until the present. when Mr.. Taft
sent a personal letter 70 Gen. Diaz ex-
pressing the pleasure that such a meeting
would give him. Gen. DiaZ has formally
accepted and viii meet President Taft.
Gen Diaz viii be accompanied by his
excellencv Senior Francisco i. de Ia Bar
"a, the Aiexncan Ambassador accredited
10 this country, who has not only made
himself one OF the most popular mem
bers OF the washington diplomatic col
ony. but has succeeded in gaining the eX-
ceptional good will OF President TAFT and
Secretary Knox President Diazs cabi-
net win be In attendance, a battalion OF
the Chapultepec castle guard, the Presi-
Dental band. and a retinue Of military,
naval. and other aids
A few words about the extraordinary
Mexican who has been honOred with eight
terms in the Presidential chair Of Next
CO. Having assumed the responsibilities
OF this office IN 1876. when the republic
was yet IN a revolutionary torment and
its credit abroad demOralized. Gen. Diaz
has during his occupancy OF the Presi-
dency brought the country TO a condition
OF absolute tranquility, established its
foreign credit upon a sound basis provid-
ed vast internal improvements. and
proved himself so able and patriotic an
executive as TO compel alike the admira-
ton Of friends and opponents.
As a protege Of the eminent patriot. his
predecessor IN the Presidential office, Don
Benito Jaurez. he crowned his military
fame May g. 1852. when the French in
vasion was REFUSED at Pueblo. But
though always imbued with the military
passion, his greatest triumphs have been
as President. when with rare tact the
Vaccinations OF jealous opponents have
been foIled and great measures OF reform
carried out IN spite Of strenuous opposi-
ton Il has always been President Diazs
great ambition % elevate Mexico 70 the
rank OF 6 progressive and thoroughly
modern nation He Is a great admirer OF
the indomitable push and business energy
OF the American people, and his readiness
in favoring the railroads and other large
enterprises that unite more closely the
two republics has brought upon himself
time and again severe criticism Of the
conservative element IN Mexico. He knows
that the real safety OF the republic, as
we'll as it's highest development. can only
come when the population is enlightened.
and so, with the desired end in view,
strict laws have been enacted compelling
school attendance.
The President tolerates no departure
from democratic simplicity IN the routine
or his daily life. During the summer
months. when residing az Chapultepec
the carriage that takes him 70 the city,
though frst-class Of its kind, is perfectly
plain. The driver is without livery OF any
kind. unattended by a fOotman. and the
horses have not even their tails locked
This. too. on the PaseO de Ia Reforma.
one OF the worlds fashionable bOule-
wards. where hundreds OF eQuipages every
day vie with one another IN lavish osten-
tation.
Anecdotes are constantly being told OF
the President illustrating this character
/ istic He often takes an ordinary street
car. and upon one occasion when some
/ accident detained the car in which he
was riding he insisted that no exception
I be made In his favor. and so remained a
| long time. in conformity with the law,
until the car was reported 20 the proper
authorities and the car ordered 20 pro-
/ coed
on his birthday he is always presented
with quantities Of costly gifts, but such
| is his strict sense Of propriety in the mat
ter, the whole lot are annually consigned
70 a storehouse, where at the present
time there is an accumulation that must
be worth many thousands OF dollars. He
never allows these presents 20 be used
by himself or members Of his family, thus
avoiding any obligations.
President Diaz Is one OF the hardest
working men in the republic to-day.
Though seventy-nine years OF age, he is
apparently much younger, and having
lived a temperate life, he has the ca
pacity, which he uses. OF being able 70
/ labor early and late at his desk. His sole
desire is 20 serve his country well and 20
leave behind him the name Of 8 patriot.
As a consequence Of this close applica-
/ ton 70 official work his private interests
are often neglected. Such IS the Gen.
Diaz of to-day.
Gen. Dlaz is criticised for assuming 10
the degree that he does the role OF a die
tator. His opponents emphasize the au-
tocratic power exercised by him. But the
Mexican government is fortunate. as any
government would be fortunate. IN hav-
ing few elective Offices and instead the
reposing OF appointing power and great
responsibility in an executive whose sole
purpose IS TO secure for his country the
best results.
If President Diaz were governor OF
Massachusetts he would adapt himself 10
conditions prevailing there exactly as the
governor Of Massachusetts would IN Mex
| leo exercise that arbitrary power neces-
sary where so large a part OF the popu-
letion is totally incapable OF self-govern-
ment and where strokes OF policy that
could not wait for action Of Congress are
imperative.
The charm and sweetness OF Mexican
wOmanhOOd is eXemplihed IN that gra-
c!ous lady who is the beloved and hon
ored wife Of the President Of Mexico A
sincere Catholic, the friend OF the poor.
the champion OF those humber sisters OF
| toll who in Mexico City look UP 70 her as
their protectress. Senorita Carmen Ro-
nero Rubio de Diaz stands serenely apart
from the conflicts OF DOiitics She IS a
/ Catholic lady in a Catholic nation, a
Mexican by birth and blood. and IN no
possible way is she to be regarded as
connected with contemporary politics in
Mexico. Mrs. Diaz is a most regal wom-