The Washington herald., 1909-04-04
BY. RUDOLPH DE zAPP.

On Friday the red. white. and green fas
Of Mexico proudly fiuttered from the flag.
sta1 OF the Mexican Embassy here, and
a, a dinner given by Francisco L. de Ia
Barra speeches were made and toast.
were offered IN celebration OF the ami
verssry OF Mexicos independence.
Al home IN Mexico city patriotic citi-
zens OF the republic TO the south Of US
engaged in rOusing demonstrations il
favor Of President Diaz. which were IN
tended 70 create or strengthen the senu-
ment for his reelection 10 the Office ot
President OF Mexico when his term ex.
pires. in October OF next year.
President Diaz VIII have reached the
age OF eighty when his present term ex-
pires. and he has MADE IL known tha,
he will not accept another term. He sayi
he desires 70 spend the few years that he
hopes Will be left him OF life in quiet.
rest. and enjoyment tt IS considered I'm.
probable that he Will visit any foreign
country. He has long had desire 70
visit Europe and TO spend some time IN
France, but he is said 70 have given ID
this long-contemplated pleasure.
The announcement that he would re-
tire from Office next year was the signal
for the beginning Of activity on the part
or the men who aspire to become his sue
cessor. II President Diaz should insist
on his refusal 70 run again and other can
didates will make their appearance in the
field, Il is safe 10 say that there will be
no arbitrary or perfunctory choice made
OF the man who is 20 occupy the chair
OF chief executive. On the contrary. the
free exercise OF the ballot to determine
who the masses want viii be allowed for
the first time in the history of Mexico.
There have been many published reports
during the last few years to the effect
that President Diaz would name his own
successor; that he had this man and that
man in training for the high ONCE. That
he is in s>posiuon 10 exercise such a die
tstorship can scarcely be questioned. II
is said, however, on reliable authority,
that he does not intend doing so. He
may have hisf preference, but, II so, no
one knows who the man is.
At the time the Office Of vice president
was created a few years ago. and Ramon
Corral was brought from the distant
sitiOn. 1t Was said by many people that
President DiaZ wanted 10 make Corral
his successor. II developed as time
passed that Mr.. Corral was no more the
favorite OF the President than other men
who surrounded him.
X is we'll known that he entertains the
highest regard for his minister OF finance,
Jose Y. Limantour. TO whom he intrust-
ed some OF the greatest and most mo-
mentous government problems. OF which
the acquiring and merging Of the prin-
cipal railroads OF the country may be
cited
Another man in whom President Diaz
has the greatest confidence IS Gen. Ber-
nardO Reyes. former secretary Of war
and who for many years has occupied the
position OF constitutional governor OF
the state Of Nuevo Leon. Il has been
from time 20 time in the for
eign press that Gen. Reyes was not In
sympathy with President Diaz's ad-
and that he was az the
head Of an opposition party who pro
posed 10 stir up all sorts Of trouble when
a favorable opportunity occurred. II Is
known that there was no foundation to
these reports. Gen. Reyes not only
stated over his oTn signature that he was
an ardent supporter OF Diaz's govern
mental ploicy, but other circumstances
plainly refuted the charge that ne was
against him. Gen. Reyes retirement
from the secretary Of war portfolio was