The Detroit times., 1910-07-14
By hEaleERTo eARRoN.

BY HERiBERTO 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
tesire that Mexico have just and
peaceful government which will pro
tect their investments even II IL does
not foster their enterprises.
Cen Porfirio Diaz has been elected
for the eighth time to the presidency
OF Mexico, after holding that ONCE "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-reelectionist 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 TO
him: he has imprisoned every mem.
Der Of opposing political parties whom
he 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
Diaz. NV brother and many OF my
friends were imprisoned BY him and
still remain In Jail. he being then a
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 10
each seat In congress. II. for any rea
con. one cannot serve. the other take
the vacant place until the first mem
her returns I was alternating con
gresham from a district OF the state
OF chihuahua. the regular congress
man being Federico Gamboa. WHO,
when he was 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
IS 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 80 that | would no
longer, as congressman. be immune
from arrest Gamboa returned from
Efaenpn rad hia a.,
He occupied IL only seven or eight
days, however. and then returned TO
the department OF foreign affairs,
seat has been vacant
After ] reached the United States,
learning that my brother and my
friends had been imprisoned | wrote
TO a number of newspapers In Mexico
and stated publicly that had retired
from politics and would not again be
q candidate for any Mexican Office.
also wrote TO my wife TO make ar
rangements to sell the plants OF my
two papers, as | could no longer
publish them.
Cannot Return While Dlaz Lives.
! associated myself with gentlemen
In business In New York City with
the idea of becoming their representa-
tive in Mexico
These firms wrote TO President Diaz
asking him TO assure them that 1
would not be arrested II returned to
Mexico, &c | 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
Diaz made no reply, but he made
known Indirectly that the requests
would not be granted and that could.
not return TO 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
! DO. But TO return to the political
situation In Mexico:
A very strong opposition 10 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 laeders many in
telligent and educated young men,
Hnd the Authorizations party,
whose principal leaders have been
Francisco Madero. who was candidate
OF his party for President against
Diaz AT the election last Sunday. and
DR. Francisco vasquez Gomez. who
ran for VicePresident on the Madero
ticket
hadero Is now under arrest I'm San
Luis Potosi. Gen. Bernardo Reyes. a
FORMER candidate for yice-presIdent.
very popular and governor OF the state
81 Nuevo Leon. was obliged TO resign
his Office and go TO Europe. where he
n His son. Rodolfo Reyes. q young
lawyer OF brilliant attainments. was
niao compelled 20 fee Mexico 20 es-
cape Imprisonment
Free Speech and a Free Press Mux-
xied.
Fres speech and free press have