The San Francisco call., 1910-11-27

There is every indication that he has
profited greatly. 1t is known that he
has millions safely placed in foreign
banks. He is, or members of his fami-
ly are, interested in many of the big
financial enterprises of the country.
This is all legitimate operation and
shows him as a keen businessman.
His mistake that is not forgiven by
the disconnected is that he has not
prepared the country for his death
He is past 81 and it is generally
felt that his death will plunge the
country in the throes of a fierce
war for leadership.
Vice President Ramon Corral is
not liked. The Mexicans like best
military presidents.
Corral was under the wing of
Diaz during the days antedating tfie
election for president last sum
mer. The fight was felt all over
Mexico last year
A widespread agitation in favor
of General Bernardo Reyes arose.
Reyes was then governor of the
state of Nuevo Leon. He was for
mer minister of war and earned the
displeasure of Diaz, it is said, by
his tremendous popularity with the
army. He is generally credited
with reorganizing and making the
army and with being the foremost
military man in the republic
Though Reyes was named as the
candidate for vice president. he
really represented the anti-Diaz
sentiment. The fight was not be-
tween Corral and Reyes. Reyes
knew the great military system that
Diaz had and significantly never
asserted his candidacy or his lead
ership. This brought him into dis
favor with his supporters.
subsequently he was secretly
brought to Mexico City and a star
chamber session was held with the
"old man." with the result that the
governor of>Nuevo Leon was on his
way to Europe with new commits
sion before the press knew anything
about it. He was requested to re-
tire as governor and to accept a
military commission abroad.
Reyes went. and for months he was
practically dead as far as the press
of the country was concerned He
is still said to be in Europe.
MeXicans are naturally a repub-
lican people. The Diaz sway of
more than 80 years has not gone
unnoticed.
During a great bullfght in Sep
tember, attended by President Diaz,
his entrance to the place of honor
was the occasion of a chorus of
Kisses. They came from the aris-
tocratic side. and then were taken
up by the sunny side. This was
probably the first time such a dem
onstration and reception had ever
been accorded the "old man." The
day was saved by the band ,play-
ing the national hymn. The Mexi-
cans arose in accord as a tribute
to the anthem.
A crowd of aristocratic Mexicans
in common with hundreds of others
loudly proclaimed that they uncov-
cred their heads only to the play
ing of the national song and not to
Diaz. That week Diaz attended
play in the Teatro Principal and
was hissed by many as he entered.
The probability of the Mexican
disturbances assuming the proper
tions of a general uprising is very
remote. Only the sudden movement
of the revolutionists in consider
able section can start a rising that
would seriously threaten the gov
4-so n;
adjoining states in ignorance of the
progress or success of the insur-
gent arms.
To counteract the feverish spirit
that pervades all Mexico is the
splendid military organization that
Diaz has perfected during many
years. Trained and faithful Off
GERS are in charge of the military
zones, and the troops are tran
mitted to form an attachment for
any place. The revolt of section
of the army might be the entering
wedge for the overthrow of the Diaz
dynasty.
General Reyes is the only man
likely to arouse the sympathies of
the army to such an extent as to
move them to the insurgent side He
is loved by some of the best fight
ing sections of the army. But
where is General Reyes? No wonder
the cry of Reyes is becoming a
veritable battle cry to the dis
heartened Mexican revolutionists.
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