The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-01-09

and finally Mexico City capitulated after
a siege lasting from April y to June q.
1851, when the French intervention may
be said TO have been successfully thwart-
ed by the Mexican forces, and the power
OF Maximilian, who had been executed
on May 10, lost entire control of Mex
/ lean affairs.
Gen. J. Franklin Bells opinion Of the
1 great Mexican patriot as a soldier, is
worthy Of note IN this connection:
II affords ne very great pleasure 10 avail myself
Of this opportunity 70 express my admiration for
the magnificent qualities and acleyemeats Of Pres
ident PcraTio Dlaz-in some respects the most re
markable ruler cf the age Every one at all vsrsed
/ IN history win concede I think, that President
Diaz Is a statesman and executive who seems 70
have beCn specially raised and developed by Fate 10
meet certain conditions and to occgpy particular
place in the affairs Of our great sister republic
Mexico. Certain it is that 10 one else could have
filed that place well as he.
But II IS upon his abilities soldier that nv
Interest has been naturally most oeutered. and I
like 70 honor the profession By referring to him
IN this connection as Gen Diaz In ali Of his PUB
lie erdeavoTs from the time when he first entered
upon military career, through the turbulent years
that interviewed until bis election 20 the Presidency
and since then in suppresSing occasional disorders
dnTing his very prosperous administration Gen Diaz
has exhibited that force. energy, and indomitable
courage which 90 to make up the ideal soldier.
Nothing has been impossible Of ACCOMPLISHMENT
and Obstacles only served 20 make him more earnest
and determined His is a strong character. indeed
and he viii undoubtedly 20 down in history as one
Of the worlds greatest leaders.
''The Restoration of the Republic" is
the heading of Chapter ". and deals. as
the phrase implies. with the establish
ment OF the government, which only NAV
be said 10 have been on a sound basis
till the first administration Of Gen. Diaz.
when he was elected President on April
I, 1871 for IN the interim, between the
termination OF the French Intervention
and Diaz's election, civil war ragged in
Mexico. and il may be regarded as the
last struggle that brought Mexico out of
the chaotic conditions which existed dur
ing those unfortunate internal and ex-
ternal strifes since its independence.
The author thereafter devotes a chap
ter TO each of Diaz's administrations.
making seven in all, and covering a
period of about thirty years. twenty-six
of which have been uninterrupted. and
1t may be said with practically no op-
position. each reelection taking place
with an overwhelming majority of votes.
It seems needless TO go into detail of
the wonderful development Mexico has
experienced during the Diaz administra-
lions, so we shall only reproduce, in this
connection, ex-Secretary of the Interior
George B. Cortelyou's opinion:
The career Of Porario Diaz is certainly one -
the most striking in modern times. Coming to the
head Of the state at critical UTiod in the history
Of his country, be has remained for over quarter
Of a century dominant figure in Spanish-Arerics
guiding his country with a firm and wise hand in
the ways Of progress and civilization Fortunate
II is for Mexico that such man arue-s under
whose leadership she has been enabled 70 attain
her present high place in the family Of nations
1t would take pages TO state all that
Diaz has done for his country, so we will
limit ourselves to quote in full British
James Bryees opinion,
which also appears in the work:
No one Who knows the history a Mexico during
the last half century and has followed. however
imperfectly. the career Of the present head Of
that republic can fail TO have been impressed BIZ
the extraordinary talents both military and political
which have given nsteT to that career. Under the
administration Of PoTfirio Diaz as It's President
Mexico has grown to be great state second in
the western hemisphere to other only The
mineral and agricultural resources have been de-
Selopsd with amazing raTidity network Of rail
WAYS has row covered The surface where before
there were practically no lines Of swift or easy
Communication
Order and public security have been established
everywhere throughout the countrY. An effective
krny and police have been created. The different
elements Of the population live peacefully together
and The tranquility Of the community Is hut rarsy