The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-08-15
TAFT AND DIAZ TO MEET
Presidents of Two Great Republics Will Exchange Greet
ingS at FL PasO.

Q
church or the state? One or the other
had to be crushed. and IN that critical
emergency Juarez led the Liberal party
on 70 success. All church property was
nationalized. The clergy were complete
ly dispossessed Of their immense hold
ings. Clerical corporations were dissolved
and cannot to-day legally attain prop
erty. The policy Of the government IN
the matter OF religion Is so entirely neu-
tral and fair that no grounds are offered
for criticism Catholics are treated with
the utmost courtesy and Protestants are
allowed 10 spend thousands OF dollars an
nually IN their endeavOrs TO make good
I Baptsts, Methodlsts, or Presbyterians
out Of the Indians. AS a rule the men OF
Mexico are free-thinkers and their wives
devoted Catholics.
The people OF Mexico are much misun-
/ derstoOd in the United states. Americans
are apt 20 think OF their Southern neigh
I bors as ''greasers," judging the nation by
| that type which is too numerous ar the
/ border on either side OF the Rio Grande.
4 But as COrtez found there a civilization
higher in many respects than that OF
/ Spain, so II happens now that visitors
/ from the North find great deal IN Next
co that is superior.
An urchin at the public school who has
never worn a shoe and whose ancestors
never saw one viii always say With
| your permission" when passing in front
/ OF his teacher. and when asked his name
viii add IN replying. Entirely at your
/ service" That politeness which comes to
! an American child, II at ali. only after
much training seems 20 be second nature
+ 70 a Mexican. When a servant is dis
charged, instead OF raising her voice In
wrath, she VIII say good-by quietly. at
/ the same time asking 10 be forgiven for
/ all her faults.
| Kindest Of parents. extremely courte-
/ GUS and polite, passiOnately fond OF
music and flowers, skillful in many
branches Of art. these people. the pc
/ ons' Of Mexico are away ahead OF their
/ environment. Rich and poor are equally
courteous 70 each other. the best Of feel
! ing seems TO exist between them. A Co
chero" viii pull up his horse 70 allow Eel
senior, who lifts his hat in acknowledg-
/ ment, 20 pass. The spirit OF democracy,
/ the absence Of snObbishness. is not not
1 lceaole everywhere. silks and rags min
/ gle freely in all public places and wor-
/ snip together In the churches. That Mex
/ leo City is the quietest and most orderly
/ on the American continent IS due mora
! 70 the disposition OF the people than TO
! the exceptionally good police service.
/ Sometimes undue Importance seems TO
/ be given 70 customs Of etiquette. Two
/ Mexican gentlemen viii bow and gestlcu-
late before an open door. each urging
the others precedence, when Americans
| would save the time thus consumed.
/ When walking together each must take
the inside, and the breaking up OF q
. party IS accompanied by endless hand
shakings and farewels. Even on leaving
street cars, if the ride has been one OF
any duration. a gentleman must raise his
hat % those left behind, and purchasers
/ az the stores commence and end their
/ dealings by shaking hands with the sales
man. SOmbreros are always lifted when
passing church doors. and at noon, when
the cathedral bells ring. every good Mexi-
can within hearing uncovers.
The social event OF each day IS tho
/ promenade on the Pasoe de Ii Reforma.
where, between the hours OF 1 and IN
the evening-in greater numbers on sun
days, Thursdays and holdays-the world
OF fashion turns TO see and 10 be seen. In
contrast 10 the wooden coachmen and
footmen OF Central Park. New York.
those in Mexico appear 70 fine advantage
in the picturesque clothing Of their coun-
try. with wide-brimmed sombreros 10
match
On Sundays between u and l O'Clock
tie fashion OF the town IS again prone
nading. this time on foot in the shaded
walks Of the Alameda One or two OF
TIE best regimental bands furnish ex-
Cellent music, hundreds Of chairs along
The shaded sides OF principal walks are
rented. senoritas IN almost ballroom at
tire pass IN groups through the gantlet
maintained by scores OF admirers, babies
are there 70 patronize the merry-go-
round, 70 take home some miniature bull
fighter or other toy, and the American
colony is always well represented BY
those who Ike 10 listen 10 the music or
q talk over the gossip Of the week.
Courtship In Mexico is carried on under
difficulties, the lover having 10 post him
self under the window OF his Juliet at
regular times. regardless OF the weather
satisfied Il his attention is occasionally
appreciated by some look or sign This
devotion is continued, regardless OF pub
i lie observation, until at last the Young
man IS allowed TO enter the house and
an engagement is announced. Il is only
just 10 say that the extreme chaperonage.
In contrast 10 the prevailing lack OF Il IN
the United States, is gradually giving
way 10 the forms OF modern society
American customs are. in many cases,
being quietly adopted American girls ara
universally admired. not 10 say envied.
To- their graceful dancing Paris sets
the style, Of course, and the graceful lace
! manulla' has, with all but elderly
ladies', been superseded by the Partisan
I bonnet No headgear is worn al the
opera, however, nothing but full dress
being IN favor. One popularity OF Next
can theaters is the custom OF charging so
much per act II the play is bad or the
patron weary, he may leave before the
collector comes around just previous 70
the third or fourth act
TroTTCr Cn1 ro1