Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-10-18
PRES. TAFT AND PRES. D|Az
EXCHANGE WARM GREETINGS,
Brilliant Scenes at FL Paso, Texas, and
Juarez, Mex.-==Immense Crowds Present
And Both Formal and Social COur=
tesies Are of Most Friendly Kind.

El Paso Tex, oct. 1.-THE long ex-
pectcd meeting between President
Taft and President Diaz of the Repub-
lie of Mexico took place Saturday at
FL PaSo. Outwardly it was attende l
with display Of soldiory. a flare CT
trumpets, booming of cannon and a
pomp suggestive of supreme authority,
but in the actual handclasp of the two
executives and in the exchange of
courteous words there was a simple
but cordial informality
President Diaz was the first t.
speak. He assured President Taft of
his warm personal regard and his high
esteem President Taft III simple
American fashion, declared he was
glad to meet President DiaZ. Both
Presidents dwelt upon the cordially
of the relations existing between the
United States and Mexico.
The scene of the days ceremonies
shifted from time to time from this
thriving little American city across the
Rio Grande river to the characteristic
Mexican settlement IN Cludad JuareZ.
In the customs house ut .IuareZ
President Diaz received a return call
from President Taft and later Satur-
day evening he entertained the Amer
lean President and d large dinner
party at a state banquet which in all
it's surroundings of lavish decorations
and wealth of silver plate handed
down from the time of Emperor Max
imilian was probably the most notable
feature ever served on the American
continent.
The day was marred by but one I'M
toward incident A schoolboy was
stabbed to death by companion Just
as President Taft was stepping from
his special train upon its arrival in the
center of the city at $50 A. NJ. Satur-
day. The boys were in the crush of
people gathered in the plaza and in
pushing forward to catch glimpse
of the President became involved In a
fight. Noll Morgan. IA years old, pulled
a knife and before bystandors could
realize what was happening. Lawrence
Wimber, aged Is, was lying mortaiIy
wounded at their feet
The crowd about the plaza was so
great that even the wagon from the
mogue could not make its way through
1t and during most of the time Pres
ident Taft was at breakfast the body
lay on the pavement not 40 rods away
Some thoughtful person finally pull
ed down two American flags from the
decorations about the plaza and spread
them over the dead boys form. Nor.
gan was arrested and is held in the
| county Jail. He is utterly crushed ant
| heartbroken.
An interesting incident of the day
was the declaration of neutrality ovel
the FL Chamizal territory. a part o.
| the CITY Of Ell Paso over which Mexico
is contendng for sovereignty The Z
Chamizal territory was formed wher
the Rio Grande river took one of Its
periodical spells of contrariness ant
changed it's course mile or two tt
the westward.
The days ceremonies began Satur-
day morning when President Diaz in
state carriage crossed the interna-
tional bridge with an escort of soldiers
The main body of Mexican troops
were left behind at the bridge entrance
The Diaz carriage was driven at a
smart pace through the Chamizal ter
ritory to be met at the boundary by
the American troops and by Secretary
of War Dickinson.
a salute of q guns was fired as
President Diaz stepped from his own
carriage into one provided by the
American authorities.
nv, \