Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-10-19
TAFT AND DlAZ.
Presidents Of United States and Mexico
EXCHANGE Visits.

BY an exchange OF visits across the
border, President Taft of the United
States, and President Diaz of Mexico,
made last Saturday a day that will
probably forever be memorable in the
history of both countries.
President Taft received President
Diaz at Ell Paso and President Diaz
received and entertained President
Taft and party at Juarez, just across
the border
There is a strip Of land on the
American side Of the Mexican border,
about half mile wide and fifty
miles long, the sovereignty over which
has been in dispute for quite while,
and which is still unsettled. BY an
agreement arranged between the
Washington and Mexican state depart
ments, this territory was regarded as
neutral ground for the day, and this
arrangement made possible the carry
ing out of the programme Of the occa
sion without making necessary the
concession Of any claims that are
maintained by the United States.
President Taft's special train arriy-
ed at El Paso at $50 o'clock, an hour
and half before the time for the
meeting. He spent the interval show
ing himself to the Immense crowds
that had gathered In. the city, and
saying nice things 20 the prominent
citizens; but when the booming Of
guns across the border, announced the
coming Of the Mexican party, Ameri-
can guns began to boom in unison,
and from both sides Of the line the blare
of trumpets and the music of numer-
GUS bands helped to stir the blood Of
both Americans and Mexicans for the
unusual occasion.
1t had been arranged that each pres
ident should limit his body guard
across the neutral ground to only
twenty cavalrymen, and while Presi-
dent Taft remained in the reception
room of the El Paso Chamber Of Com
merce, Secretary Of War Dickinson,
Governor T. M. Campbell Of Texas, and
Mayor James v. Sweeney Of FL
Paso, waited at the bridge over the
river to greet the distinguished visitor.
President Diaz came in richly up
holstered carriage drawn by two
splendid coal black horses. The hubs
Of the carriage were Of gold, and the
doors were mounted with the same
precious metal, as was also the harness
From the heads of the horses waved
long white cocades. The president was
attired in the blue uniform Of COM
mander:in-chief of the Mexican army.
and on his head he wore a white
chapeau. His breast was covered with
the gold and silver emblems Of honor
that had been conferred upon him dur
ing his long official career.
In the carriage with the Mexican
chief executive, was Enrique C. Creel,
governor Of the Mexican state Of Chi
huahua, his special aide for the occasion,
and In the carriages following were
Olesaria Maliva, minister Of commerce;
Gongales Casio, minister of war and
other high dignitaries.
AS the Diaz carriage came to a stop,
Secretary Of War Dickinson stepped
up and formally welcomed the presi-
dent to the United States. Governor
Campbell and Mayor Sweeney added
their welcome. and President Diaz was
escorted to Secretary Dickinson's car
ria5e. Secretary Dickinson seated
himself on the left Of the Mexican pres
ident, after which the procession start
ed to the Chamber of Commerce.
From the first announcement Of the
coming Of President Diaz, the throngs
Of Mexicans and Americans on both
sides of the river had kept up inces-
SAINT rounds of cheering, and this was
continued as the procession moved on
through the streets, packed to the curb
on both sides. All along the line it
was the Mexican viva Diaz! Viva
Mexico!" and the American "hurrah!"
There seemed to be as many Of one as
Of the other.
Brisadier General Albert Myer, and
staff led the procession. Next came a
squadron Of cavalry, and then Presi-
dent Diaz's carriage and personal
guard. Next came a carriage contain
ing Governor Campbell and staff, and
following this carriage came another
squardon of cavalry and three batter
les Of field artillery. The international
colors were entwined impartially
over the carriages as well as all the
buildings, and although nobody was
allowed on the housetops and soldiers
lined the war as precaution against
anarchists and other aSsassins, Presi-
dent Diaz was kept busy acknowledge
ing the greetings of the people.
American troops were drawn up at
attention around the Chamber Of
Commerce when the procession arriv-
ed, and Capt Archibald Butt, the pres
idents military aide, met President
Diaz at the curb and conducted him to
the chambers reception room, where
President Taft stood before an Ameri-
can and Mexican flag ready to ex-
tend his hand. The only other persons
present, were Secretary Dickinson,
Postmaster General Hitchcock, Capt.
Butt and President DfaZS alQe, GOV-
ernor Campbell and the Mexican min
lister.
President Taft extended his hand
and the Mexican ruler grasped 1t cor
daily. The conversation that passed
between the two was taken down by
official stenographers and later given
out after both presidents had read
the transcribed notes.
II am very glad to welcome you,
sir, here; I am very glad indeed"
said President Taft.
IT am very happy to meet you and
to have the honor Of being one Of the
first foreigners to come over to give
you a hearty welcome" replied Gen.
Diaz.
1T gives me not only great pleasure
to welcome the president Of the great
republic Of Mexico, but to welcome
the present president Of the republic
of Mexico who has made 1t so great
was Mr.. Taft's next remark.
~ am very proud to grasp the
hand Of q great statesman who has
made such a record in his life-in the
Philippines, in Cuba and at present
at the head of the great nation OF the
United States"
The conversation continued:
President Taft wish to express