The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1909-10-20

Taft declared today's meeting was not
necessary to make stronger the bonds
of friendship. 1t merely typiiied the
strength of the existing bonds.
Less than a score of persons were
present at the meeting &c TIE two
executives Later President Diaz and
President Taft withdrew into the in
ncr room of the chamber of commerce
building, where the historic meeting
occurred and where they were at
tended only by Governor Creel III the
state Of Chihuahua, who acted as in
terpreter.
The scene of today's ceremonies
shifted from time to time from the
thriving American city across the shall
low wandering Rio GranIe to the
typical l-rle Mexican settlement Of
Ciudad Juaiez. In the custom. house
/ there Diaz received the return call
from Taft and again late n The even
ing entertained the American presi-
dent and large dinner party at a
state banquet, with all It's surround
ings of lavish decoration, of brilliant
color of wealth of silver plate. hand
ed down from the time OF Emperor
Maxml.lian. Probably it vas the most
| memorable feast ever served on the
American continent.
1t was al this banquet that The more
formal ard public expressions CT :e-
gard between the two executives as
representatives of the people of the
United States and of Mexico We're ex-
charged.
The day was marred by but one an
toward incident, when lad of IS
years vas stabbed to de nth by d school
companion just as President Taft was
stepping rom the train upon his ar
rival at E. PasO, in the morning. The
boys We're in a crush IF people gath
cred at Tie plaza, and in pushing for
ward /, catch glimpse of the presi-
dent, be came involved in light. Sud-
denly Noll Morgan. aged IA, pulled
knife, and before the bystanders
could interfere Lawrence Wiilber,
age 8 years, was lying II. )r5al;y
wounded at their feet. Before ambl-
lance could reach the scene the hoy
was dead Morgan was arrested and
held at the county Jail tonight. He is
an utterly crushed and hear broken
boy
The days ceremonies began this
morning when President Diaz in a
state carriage with gold hubs, gold
mounted doors, black horses and CAV
dress, crossed the international bridge
with an escort of soldiers. The main
body of Mexican troops was left be-
hind at the bridge entrances. Diaz
was driven at smart pace through
the neutral Chamizal territory, to be
met at the boundary by American
troops and by Secretary of War Dick
inson.
A salute of 81 guns was fired as
Diaz stepped from his carriage and
into one provided by the American
authorities. With an escort of Amer
lean troops, Diaz was taken through
the streets of the city to the chamber
of commerce building, where Taft
awaited him. All along the line of
march Diaz was cheered by crowds.
Plumed chapeau in hand, he bowed to
right and left. Secretary Dickinson,
who greeted the visiting president on
behalf of the American government,
rode beside him. After the meeting
between the presidents had taken
place Diaz withdrew and returned
over the same route to his side of in
ternational boundary. Less than an
hour later President Taft was on his
way to Juarez to return the call. He
was received at the Mexican end of
the bridge by all the troops gathered
there as an escort to Diaz and was re-
ceived with the same honors and dis
tinction as had marked the visit of the
Mexican executive to this country. The
speeches of the Presidents Taft and
Diaz at Juarez dinner tonight were
given as toasts from one to the other
DiaZ was first to speak and as he arose
the impressive silence of expectancy
succeeded the general hum of CONVEX
sation that had engrossed $50 guests. |
When his words had been trans
lated into English and repeated to
Taft the president arose and, after
the cheering, which continued a miu-
ute or more, had ceased he responded |
to- the toast. Taft assured Diaz of
hearty friendship of this country for
Mexico and cited the fact that he had
left the United States to set foot in
Mexico to emphasize the confidence |
and feeling Of brotherly neighborliness
that exists between the two countries |
He concluded by drinking to his |
friends, the president of Mexico, to his |
long life and happiness, and to the |
endurance of the friendship between
Mexico and the United States.
During the banquet an orchestra |
made up of some of the most noted |
musicians of Mexico played the ma
tional airs of the two nations.
Taft made way back to American
soil in a perfect blaze of artificial |
light and with an escort which |
changed at the international line from |
Mexican to American. In token of |
remembrance of the occasion both !