The National tribune., 1910-12-15
THE ME nnaflc.Sa,SsuRRrcr,os
President Diaz's Wonderful Exhibition
of His shength in Crushing the Reb-

President Diaz's Wonderful Exhibition
of His Suength in Crushing the Reb-
rss sls, ueziS,n ,nI,,rrse,,on seems to
have had it day, and President FOR,
firio Diaz has made another wonderful
exhibition ofShis strength. No man IN
the recent history. Of the world has
made such an astonishing record as
law siyer and ruler.. From very m
teresting and timely biography OF the
President, by Jose +. Godoy. published
by G.. p. Putnam'S Sons, New y ork,
we learn that Porfirio Disz was born
Sept. Is, 1880, at OXaca, of respectabie
Spanish parents, and carefully educated
by his mother, who intended that he
should be priest, but he was deter
mined to become Il lawyer AT the time
of the American invasion of Mexico
Diaz volunteered but was not put into
the field. He graduated under Benito
JuareZ. who became afterwards Presi-
dent of the country. He sided with the
Liberals against the Clericals and Con-
serVativeS, and actually took up arms
in one of the ill-adyised rebellions
against The stronger party This was
n short-lived war, and Diaz was COM
pelled to seek safety in flight. The
war was soon resumed with better
prospects: Diaz became distinguished
for his energy and courage, and this
time his party was successful. lie was
appointed subprefect of one of the dis
tricts of his State, but 1t was necessary
for him to take command in the held,
for his enemies were in continual up
rising. He took part in all the subse-
quent fighting, and by the time of the
French invasion had risen to the COM
mand of brigade. With this he won
several brilliant victories, but the
French power was too much for him.
He was captured and made sensation
al escape and joined President Juarez
at Ell PaSo. He re-entercd the war
at the head of Il cavalrymen, but in
little while had a division when
contributed much to the overthrow of
MaXimilian. After Juarezs death
LerdO de Tajada became President, but
when he attempted to re-elect himself
Diaz went into armed opposition, but
was at first defeated and had to leave
the country He was captured and made
some sensational escapes. Next he
gathered forces to fight Don lglesias
Finally both Tejada and Iglesias were
driven from power and Diaz had him.
self elected President by nearly unan-
imous vote. He at once began a rigid
reorganization Of the Government in
all its departments, and especially its
finances, and carried this out, in spite
of frequent outbreaks. The salaries
of all public officials were regularly
paid for the first time in many years,
foreign debts were provided for, and
Mexico at last began to have Gov
ernment worthy of the name. He was
greatly assisted by visit from Gen
Grant, who had a high opinion of him
and thru whose means he gained the
confidence of the best element in the
United States. . When his four years
were up he had his friend, Gen Con
ZaleZ, elected, and he became Commits
sioner-General of the Mexican Depart
ment of the International Exposition
held at New Orleans In that capacity
he introduced Mexico's resources to the
notice of the people of the United
States, and laid the foundation for the
large investments of American capital
which have been made in Mexico. When
DiaZ succeeded Gonzalez, when the lat
ter's term expired, he had repealed the
constitutional prohibition against %
President succeeding himself. and since
that time has had himself regularly
reelected every four years. He has
managed all the conditions which dis
turbed the Government of Mexico with
singular ability. Not only has he put
down uprising and ambitious leaders
who wanted, to oust him, but he has
suppressed the YaGui Indians, who were
long thorn in the flesh of the Gov
ernment He has raised MeXico's. finan-
cial credit high in the estimation of
foreigners and brought about the most
remarkable development of MeXico's
mines, manufactures and agricultural
resources. Railroads have been built
to all parts of the country and order
maintained wherever the flag floated
He has maintained excellent diplomat.
relations with all foreign powers, and
has even forced the turbulent little
Central American States to respect his
Government and act with tolerable de-
cency. Several times he had to go to
the point of war with Guatemala and
other States, but actual hostilities did
not break out. Porfirio Diaz has shown
himself the most wonderful construc-
tive statesman and administrator of
any figure In the civilized world in
the last half century.