The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1909-10-19
TWO PRESIDENTS CLASP
HANDS IN FRIENDSHIP
Taft ami Diaz Meet on American
and Mexican Soil.
BRILLIANT BANQUET IN jUAREz

An Elaborate State Banquet in the
Town OF Juarez, Over the Mexi.
can Border, Closed Memorable
Day in History.
Ell Paso, Texas An elaborate
state banquet at the little town OF
Juarez, across the Mexican border.
brought to close memorable day
in the history of the United States
and Mexico.
Porfirio Dia1, Mexico's venerable
President, had crossed over to Ameri-
can soil and had been received with q
warmth that told its own story of the
good feeling between the nations.
President Taft, in his turn, throwing
custom to the winds, had turned his
back on his own country to receive
General Dtaz's cordial greeting on the
Mexican side.
All this had been marked by the
booming of guns, the blare of trum-
pets, the footing Of bands, in short.
all the noise and pomp that ordinarily
invest state occasion of Importance.
But the elimination of the days in
ternational program came when Pres
ident Diaz first arose to speak. He
assured President Taft of his warm
personal regard and his high esteem
for the man who accomplished SO
much in the Philippines, in Cuba and
elsewhere, and who now had the
honor to be the Chief Executive Of SC
great nation as the United States
President Taft declared that he was
glad to meet President Diaz. He
was glad to know the President of
such great nation, and especially
glad to meet the man who had made
that nation great.
Both Presidents dwelt on the cor
diality of the relations between the
United States and Mexico. President
Taft said that the meeting was not
necessary to strengthen the bonds of
friendship 1t merely typifies the
strength OF the bonds already exist
ing.
Less than a score of persons were
permitted to witness the meeting of
the two Presidents Even these were
excluded later, when President Taft
and President Diaz withdrew into an
inner room Of the Chamber of Com
InOTC0 DultulA6s w OAC LIZ AtobOl ~
meeting occurred, and were attended
only by Governor Creel, of the State
of Chihuahua. formerly Ambassador
to the United States, who acted as in
terpreter.
An interesting incident of the day
was the declaration of neutrality
over FL Chamizal territory, part
of the city of Ell Paso over which Mex
leo is contending for sovereignty. Ell
Chamizal territory was formed when
the Rio Grande River took one of its
periodical spells of contrariness and
changed it's course milo or two to
the westward.
The contention of the American
authorities is that this change was
gradual and was due to natural ac-
cretions from the American side. The
Mexican authorities contend that the
change was due to sudden shift
of course, and that the United States
gained no additional territory by the
shifting of the natural boundary line.
The question is still in dispute. 1t
was agreed between the Governments
Of Mexico and the United States that
this territory, which lies ON this side
of the international bridge, should
be regarded as neutral, and that
neither the American nor the Mexican
flag should anywhere be displayed
in it.
AS President Diaz made his way
through the Chamizal to visit Prasi-
dent Taft the roadway was lined with
American troops. AS President Taft
passed over the disputed ground to
return the call the way was lined
with Mexican soldiers.
The ceremonies began when Presi-
dent Diaz, in a State carriage with
gold hubs, gold-mounted doors, black
horses and gay cockades. crossed the
international bridge with an escort
of soldiers The main body of Mex
lean troops was left behind at the
entrance to the bridge. President
Diaz's carriage was driven at smart
pace through the Chamizal territory,
to be met at the boundary by the
American troops and by Secretary
Dickinson
A salute of twenty-one guns was
fired as President Diaz stepped from
his own carriage into one provided
by the American authorities.
With an escort of two squadrons
and three batteries of American field
artillery. the visiting President was
taken at double quick time through
the streets of the city to the Cham
Der of Commerce Building, where
President Taft awaited him.
President Diaz wore full dress uni
form Gold lace was at his throat
and on his cuffs, and broad gold
sash was around his waist On his
left breast many decorations gilt
tered. All along the line of march
President Diaz was cheered by the
crowds. With plumed chapeau in
hand, he acknowledged the greeting
with bows to left and right. Secre-
tary Dickinson rode beside him and
an aide occupied the forward seat in
the carriage.
President Taft and President Dias
chatted with each other Through an
interpreter and appeared to find re.
lief in the fact that over their meal
at least they could exchange few
informal remarks.
President Taft left Ell Paso for Sar
Antonio and President Diaz pulled
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