The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1909-10-20
TAFT MEETS DIAz.
PRESIDENTS GREET EACH 9TH
ER on BOUNDARY.
United States and Mexico CRASH
Hands Across the Rio CranGe--
Great Gathering OF Americans and
MeXicans ut lei PasO and Jaurez.

TuieS anu regulations were almOS
nullfied and the line dividing the
republics Of the United States an6
Mexico vanished before the enthusias-
tic hosts which crossed and recrossed
the Rio Grande today in the wake OF
the chief executives of the neighborine
nations. Gringo and greaser mingled
amicably and all was merry as q
wedding bell announcing the marriage
of once warning peoples. Even the
Sons and Daughters of the Texas Re-
public forgot Santa Ana and the Ala
mo long enough to pay rousing tribute
to the gray and grizzled chief magis-
trate OF Mexico.
Long before the arrival of Mr. Will
liam Howard Taft and Senor Porfirio
Diaz, an unprecedented crowd had
gathered in Eel Paso and Ciudad Juar-
ez. They emptied from the incoming
trains like swarming lucusts and fill
ed the streets. hotels and places Of
liquid resort. Swarthy Mexicans.
proud and naughty Spaniards, cowboys
in regulation attire and plain citizens
in store ci"thes rubbed elbows with
dark-eyed senoIitas and Texas bellies
in the galy decorated street. And
above and on all sides floated the
Stars and Stripes and the brilliant
banner of Mexico.
The arrival Of Presidents Taft's
train was the signal for an ovation
that found expression in shouts of
welcome which spread i'm an increas,
ing volume Of sound all over the city.
President Diaz was greeted in a man
ner no less hearty. Bands crashed
noisy salute and the players were
able now and then to make them
selves hear above the glad acclaim of
the populace. Troops ssPuted their
commander in chief. and thousands
of children joined in singing the ma
tional anthems Of the two Repub-
lies.
After the separate reception at Ell
Paso and Juarez. President Diaz cross
ed the bridge to pay the. first call upon
President Taft. AS the two chief exc
cutives clasped hands for the first
time. the people almost went mad
with the excitement OF the occasion.
1t was an historic moment when the
aged but soldierly chief MAGISTRATE Of
the Mexicans gave his hand into the
hearty clasp of the portly representa-
tvie OF Uncle Sam
II was the first time in the history
OF the United States ana OF Mexico
that the Presidents Of the two Repub-
lies have exchanged greetings while in
office. After the formal greeting
President Taft was host to President
Dfaz and to the Federal, State and
municipal officers who accompanied
him at banque: in the Chamber OF
Commerce building.
The President and other distinguish
ed guests viewed a gorgeous pageant
which passed the reviewing stand at
IL o'clock. Bands and military of
both Republics were at the head of
the parade. and these were followed
by civic and fraterna organizations
of both Ell Paso and Juarez and by
thousands of school children from the
two cities.
Prominent in the line of parade was
the Ohio Society OF Ell Paso, with its
membership of 800, the members OF
which wore buckeyes. as did Pres-
dent Taft.
After the parade had passed. Pres
ident Taft and presidential party will
board the palatial train of Presi-
dent Diaz and will go to Mexico with
him.
In Juarez President Taft, his Cabi-
net officers and the others of his party
as we'll as the city officials Of Ell Paso
Will be guests at a banquet rendered
by President Diaz.
The Federal government of Mexico
Is expending $4,000 in the erection
of banquet hall. 71x72 feet. in the
patio of the Federal building. The
decorations Of the reception and ban
quet halls are magnificent.
From the Juarez banquet hall, Pres.
ident Taft will be escorted to the
chamber of Commerce building in
El Paso, where he will be rendered a
reception by the Ohio Society.
From the Chamber Of Commerce he
Will be given five-mile ride in an au.
tomobile over paved and macadam
streets and roads to the Ell PasO Coun.
try Club.
In the golf courses the President