The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1910-07-14
BY HeRlHERTo BARRON.

More than thousand millions OF
dollars Of American capital has been
invested in Mexico in railroads,
mines, factories, lands and commerce.
Naturally. American investors there
desire that Mexico have just and
peaceful government which will pro-
tect their investments even II IT does
not foster their enterprises.
Gen. Porfirio Diaz has been elected
for the eighth time to the presidency
OF Mexico, after holding that Office "a
years. The anti-reelectionist ticket
received about two per cent OF the
votes IN Mexico City In that city
500 presidential electors were chosen,
OF whom only. four belonged to the
anti-re-eiectionist party.
This, at first glance, seems TO be an
extraordinary political result. and ap-
pears to prove that Porfirio Diaz Is
Immensely popular In Mexico,
earron's Personal Experience.
Let me explain:
Diaz has employed constant perse-
cution TO destroy all opposition 10
him: he has imprisoned every mem
Der Of opposing political parties whom
be could arrest The government has
long been dictatorship and Diaz has
succeeded In keeping his power
though the many years he has been
president by making his political
machine stronger and more impreg-
nable every year.
Some months ago | was nominated
by the Democratic party to run for
the presidency OF Mexico against
Diax. NV brother and many OF my
friends were imprisoned by him and
still remain in iail, he being then q
member of congress and was immune
from arrest. | knew that II would be
but short time before would be
busted from congress-. so I went to
Vera Cruz and from there to the
United States.
In Mexico two men are elected to
each seat In congress. II, for any rea-
son. one cannot serve. the other takes
the vacant place until the first mem
Der returns | was alternating con-
gressman from a district OF the state
~ Chihuahua, the regular congress
man being Federico Gamboa. who,
when he WIS elected. was sub-secre-
tary of foreign affairs. Shortly after
his election Mr. Gamboa went to
Europe on business connected with
the department OF foreign affairs. and
I. rs alternate, took his seat in con.
gress. When my candidacy for the
presidency was announced. Diaz
cabled Gamboa. recalling him from
Europe TO take his seat in congress.
This was done SO that | would no
longer, as congressman, be immune
from arrest. Gamboa returned from
Europe and took his seat in congress
He occupied II only seven or eight
days, however. and then returned to
the department OF foreign affairs.
since which time that congressional
seat has been vacant
After | reached the United States,
learning that my brother and my
friends had been imprisoned, | wrote
TO number OF newspapers in Mexico
and stated publicly that had retired
from politics and would not again be
a candidate for any Mexican office.
also wrote to my wife to make ar
engagements TO sell the plants OF my
two papers, as ! could no longer
publish them.
Cannot Return While Diaz Lives
I associated myself with gentlemen
IN business In New York City with
the idea OF becoming their representa-
tive I'm Mexico.
AHNot hliiS WTOlt 10 fTeSluPUl llbZ
asking him TO assure them that
would not be arrested IL returned to
Mexico. as J had permanently retired
from politics and would return to
that country only to act as their
representative. ! also. through the
Mexican Ambassador at Washington,
Mr.. de la Barra. wrote to President
Diaz. To these letters President
known Indirectly that the requests
would not be granted and that could
not return 20 Mexico while he lives.
SO much for my case; one solitary
instance of the autocratic power
which Diaz Yields. have narrated
these facts here because. naturally.
no one knows their truth better than
3 do. But to return TO the political
situation In Mexico:
A very strong opposition TO Diaz
and his officials has developed within
the past two years
Two parties have been formed
against DiaZ-the Democratic party.
which has among it's LEADERS, many I'm.
tclligent and educated young men.
end the Authorizations party.
whose principal leaders have been
francisco Madero. who was candidate
Of his party for President against
l)iaz at the election last Sunday, and
Or. Francisco Vasquez Gomez. who
ram for YicePresident on the Madero
ticket
fIadero is now under arrest in San
Luis Potosi. Gen. Bernardo Reyes, q
former candidate for vice president.
very popular and governor of the state
Of Nnevo Leon. was obliged to resign
hts ONCE and go to Europe, where he
Is. His son, Rodolfo Reyes. a young
lawyer " brilliant attachments, was
also compelled 20 fee Mexico 10 es.
cnpe Imprisonment.
Free Speech and : Free Press Muz-
zied.
Free speech and free press have