The San Francisco call., 1909-10-17
PRESIDENTS MEET
AT BOUNDARY LINE
Taft Is Guest of Mexic0's Presl=
dent at Brilliant Banquet
in Ciudad Juarez
Executives Declare the Ties of
Friendship Between Two
Nations Strengthened

Continued From Page 20
5odv Law on the pavement not 40 rods
away.
Some thoughtful person finally tore
down two American flags from the
decorations about the plaza and spread
them over the dead boys form. Nor
~an was arrested and is held in the
county iail tonight. He is utterly
crushed and heart broken boy.
An interesting incident of the day
mas the declaration of neutrality over
the El Chamizsl territory, part OF
the city Of FL Paso over which Mexico
is contending for sovereignty
Diaz in Gorgeous Coach
The days ceremonies began this
morning when President DiaZ in a state
carriage with gold hubs, gold mounted
doors. black horses and gay cockaoes
crossed the international bridge with
an escort Of soldiers. The main BODY
of Mexican troops were left behind at
the bridge entrance. President Diaz
was driven at smart pace through
the Chsmazal territory TO be met at
the boundary by the American troops
and by Secretary of War Dickinson.
salute of y guns was fred and
President Diaz stepped from his own
carriage into one provided by the
American authorities. With an escort
of two sauadrons and three batteries of
American field artillery the visiting
president was taken through the
streets Of the city al double quick time
TO the chamber of commerce building,
where President Taft awaited him.
President DiaZ was attired in full
dress uniform. Gold lace was at his
throat and his cuffs and a broad gold
sash was around his waist. The presi-
dents left breast was a mass of gilt
tering decorations. All along the line
Of march President Diaz was cheered
bv the crowds. With hat in hand he
acknowledged the greeting with bows
10 left and right. Secretary OF war
Dickinson rode by him and an aide oc-
cupied the forward seat in the car
riage.
Taft GreetS DiaZ
With President Taft when he greet
ed President Diaz were Secretary Dick
inson and Postmaster General Hitch
cock. Captain Archibald ". Butt, Cen
eral Albert Myer, L. S. A, Assistant
Secretary W. ". Mischler and c. c.
Wagner Of the White House staff.
President Diaz was accompanied by
members of his cabinet and military
staff The private interview between
the two presidents lasted for - min
utes 1t is officially stated that it con-
sisted of but an elaboration of the pub
lie utterances OF Taft and Diaz and
that no matters of diplomacy were
touched upon in any way
Two Presidents Meet
President Taft opened the conference
by saying: L am very glad TO well
come you, sir; ] am very glad, indeed"
President Diaz-I am very happy to
meet you and. to have the honor of be-
ing one of the first foreigners TO come
over 10 give you a hearty welcome.
President Taft-It gives me not only
great pleasure 10 welcome the present
president of the great republic of Mex
leo. but to welcome the president of
the republic Of Mexico who has made it
so great.
President Diaz-I am very proud to
grasp the hand of the great statesman
who has made such a record in his
Iife-in the Philippines-in Cuba, and
at present at the head of the great
nation, the United States.
President Taft-I wish to express to
you my belief that this meeting is
looked upon by both peoples with a
great deal of interest, not as making
stronger. but as typifying the strength
of the bond between the two coun-
tries.
AT the banquet in Ciudad Juarez
President Taft said:
This is the first time so far as /
have heard that a president of the
United States has stepped beyond the
border of the United States, either on
the north or on the south, and l esteem
il great privilege to be the president
at the time when that event has hap
pened. / hope that it is significant of
the tightening of the bonds between
the two countries"
Town Gay With Flags
Taft found the little Mexican frontier
city veritable cloud of waving colors.
The rough adobe walls of all the build
ings had been hung with the national
colors of Mexico and the United States,
the red. white and blue an dthe red,
white and green mingling in har-
monious accord.
The streets over which Taft jour-
neyed from the bridge and to the GUS
tom house had been converted into a
continuous court of honor. Garlands
of flowers and varicolored banners
were looped from one towering white
pillar to another. It was a day of
rushing, cheering crowds; a day of
marching soldiers. a day of journey
ing into foreign territory of a presi-
dent of the United States; a day of
amity between the two great nations
of the United States and Mexico. a day
made by unusual by the first visit TO
American soil of the chief ruler Of a
nation in any way approaching the
prestige of Mexico.
President Taft left FL Paso at p. m
to continue his journey through the
south. Tomorrow evening he will ar
rive at San Antonio and after spend
ing a day there he viii go to Corpus
Christi TO be the guest of his brother
c. P. Taft, three or four days. on the