The Washington herald., 1909-04-04
PATRIOTISM IN REPUBLIC OF MEXICO

wholly voluntary on his part. AS gov
ernor Of the state OF Nuevo Leon and
! commander OF the military zone, which
/ borders on the Rio Grande. he occupies
I positions Of the greatest importance 20
/ the government
/ A concrete analysts OF the existing DO
litical situation in Mexico shows that
I there are three aspirants for the presi-
dency 20 succeed Diaz They are Ramon
Corral. Jose Y LImantour. and Gen.
I Bernardo Reyes. These men are each
avowed candidates Tor the high ONCE 10
! the extent that they are permitting their
respective adherents 10 carry on propa-
gandas In their behalf throughout the
| republic. Mr.. Corral has been the most
/ active Of the three candidates in promot-
7 ing his political interests among the peo-
/ pie He began his active campaign i'm
/ medietely upon the public announcement
I that President Diaz would not accept an
/ other term OF ofice Mr. Corrar made
/ preparations 20 form a political organizs-
| ton that extends 70 al parts Of the
| country
! Among the men who are giving him
their active support are Attorney Rafael
/ Reyes Spindola, editor OF Il Impair
cial. OF Mexico City: Lorenzo Ellzaga.
member OF Congress; Col Felix Diaz.
chief Of police of Mexico City: Rosendo
Pineta, Of Mexico City. and Jesus Z.
Moreno. who conducts a new Spanish
| newspaper. called .El Photo. in Monterey.
II IS said that IN addition 10 the news
papers Fl Imparcisl and e Pfloto. other
daily and weekly publications favorable
10 Mr.. COrrars candidacy have recently
been established in the cities Of Chihua-
hua, HermosillO. TorTcOn. Ggadalajara-
and other places. A notable thing about
all these papers is that they are rsbidly
anti-Arnerican in their editorial and news
policy Fl Impartial. OF Mexico City. has
long been noted for its opposition 20 an
things American It Is considered sur
prising that American interest in Mexico
should be made the subject OF constant
attack by the newspapers which are pro-
noting the candidacy Of Mr.. Corral for
President. One OF the chief objects OF
these newspapers seems 10 be TO arouse
the enmity Of the Mexicans against the
Americans. This course which Is being
followed by the chief supporters Of Mr..
Corral. is causing speculation among the
Americans Of Mexico as 10 whether Lhe
same liberalfty toward American invest
ments and interest in Mexico that has al
WAYS been shown by President Diaz
would be continued should Mr Corral be
advanced 10 the presidency.
Both Mr.. Limantour and Mr.. Reyes are
known 70 be strongly pro-American in
their sentiments. They have no fear OF
American industrial aggression. On the
contrary. they welcome foreign capital
and immigration. In view Of the fact
that there is not less than $780, 600 OF
American capital already invested in Mex
leo. and that the golden stream fs- pour
ing into the country al the rate OF many
thousands Of dollars month. the oues-
ton OF the probable attitude or the sue
ceeding administration toward invest
ments already made and those that might
be offered in the future is OF deep con
cern to Americans. 1t is not surrnlsed
that whoever might succeed President
Diaz in power would paraiyze American
interests at one fell stroke. but there are
many ways that &, could be shown that
foreign capital is not wanted 10 develop
the cOuntry's. resources.
Under the wise administration OF Presi-
dent Diaz and through the selection Of
governors Of his own choice for the sew
eral different states. the policy Of encour-a
aging the investment OF capital from the
United States and other foreign countries
has been widespread Cen Bernardo
Reyes. through his administration OF the
affairs Of the state Of Nuevo Leon, has
been the direct means Of bringing many
millions Of dollars of American capital
into the city OF Monterey. and the min
ing districts OF that state. Monterey has
grown from a Estless idle town Of 1900
people. 10 a busy Industrial city of %. 900,
during the last fifteen or eighteen years.
This wonderful change in the aspect Of
the city and state Is due almost wholly 20
the great smelters and other industrial
enterprises which American and European
money has placed there. The same thing
is true of the state of Chihuahua. where
Erique Creel, former ambassador to the
United States, is governor; OF Jalisco.
where Miguel Ahumada is governor, and
many other states
If President DIaz does not change his
mind. and will not be a candidate for re-
election and keep hands or and holds
alOof in the contest that has been opened |
by the friends of the three rival candi- |
dates for the Presidency the campaign. |
as 1t progresses, viii awaken intense |
interest on the part OF the people OF
Mexico. Serious doubt is expressed l
whether the masses Of the Mexican peo-
pie have yet reached the stage OF ad- /
vancement where they can be left to set
te at the polls who shall be their ruler.
It has never before been attempted. War
or dictatorship has heretofore determined
the question OF who shall be at the head
Of the NATION. But Mexico has made
wonderful progress in education during
the last thirty years. Dictatorship rnq&4
be called in 70 settle the contest that is /
now on, but IL is conceded by all who are
IN close touch with the existing senti-
ment OF the people that no attempt to
place any man In the chief executive
by recourse TO arms viii be made.
The contest for the Presidency that is
now being waged is confined to the official