Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-10-18
TIMELY SHOT SAVES LIFE
OF THEODORE ROOSEVELT

4
United States and its sister republic
| Porfirio Diaz. Mexicos venerable
president had crossed over to American
soil and been received with a warmth
that told its own story of the good
Feeling between the nations presi-
Ident Tart. in his turn, throwing GUS
tom to the winds, had turned his back
on his own country to receive General
Diaz's cordial handciasp on the Mexi-
can side.
All this had been marked by the
booming of guns. the flare of trumpets,
the footing of bands, in short, all the
noise AMI pomp that ordinarily invest
a state occasion of Importance.
Diaz EuIosizes Taft i'm Toast.
But the elimination of the days in
lternational program came at night.
When President Diaz arose i'll his won
derful garden banquet hall and, lift
ing his glass to the president of the
United States, proposed this toast:
Mr. President, gentlemen: The
visit his excellency President TAFT
makes today to the Mexican territory
will mark an epoch in the history of
Mexico. We have had in our midst
very illustrious American visitors,
such as General Ulysses S Grant and
the Hon. Messrs. Seward and Root:
but never before have we seen in our
land the chief magistrate of the great
American union. This striking trait
of international courtesy, which Mex
leo acknowledges and appreciates to
its full value and significance, will es-
tablish nenceforth happy precedent
for the Latin American republics to
cultivate unbroken and cordial rela-
tions, among themselves, with us, and
with every nation of the continent.
Echoes Feeling of His Nation.
'Actuated by these sentiments,
which also are those of my compatrl-
OTIS. l raise my glass to the everlasting
enjoyment by the country of the i'm
mortal Washington of all the happi-
ness and prosperity which justly be-
long to the intelligent industry and
eminent civism that are the character
istics of the manly and cultured
American people and to the enduring
glory of its heroic founders.
Il raise my glass to the personal hap
piness of its illustriOus president, who |
has come to honor US with his pres
ence and friendship and whose display |
will make for the cultivation of the |
interest which binds the two |
neighbor nations whose respective Gle |
ments of life and progress find in their |
union reciprocal completion and en-
hancement"
In acknowledging this sentiment
President Taft raised his glass 70
Mexico's president, apparently deeply |
Taft in Cordial Reply.
Responding as BELTS the cordiality |
Of this auspicious occasion, | rise to-
express in the name and on the behalf
IF the people of the United States
heir profound admiration and hign
esteem for the great, illustrious and
patriotic president of the Republic of
Mexico" he said. 81 also take this oc-
,asion to pronounce the hearty senti-
nents of friendship and accord with
which my countrymen regard the Mex-
can people.
Your excellency, I have left the
United States and set my foot in your
yreat and prosperous country to en-
)hasize the more these high senti-
nents and to evidence the feeling of
leighborly brotherhood which exists
our two great nations.
"The people of the United States re-
pect and honor the Mexicans for
heir patriotic devotion. their will and
,nergy. and their steady advance in
Industrial development and moral hap
,iness.
Nations Have Mutual Aims.
"The aim and ideals of our two ma
ions are identical; their sympathy
mutual and lasting, and the world has
,ecome assured of a vast neutral zone
# peace in which the controlling as
,iration of either nation is individual
iuman happiness.
81 drink to my friend, the president
# this great republic, to his continued
ife and happiness. and to the never
nding bond of mutual sympathy be-
ween Mexico and the United States.