Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-09-17
KING ALBERTCOM|NG BRIGHT FOR MEXICO
Belgian Ruler Arranging to De la Baras Last Message
Visit This Country to Congress Optimistic.
PLANS NAVY FOR COUNTRY TAKES LOOK INTO FUTURE
Will Study Shipping Questions Temporary Government
While in United States Says Revenues Impaired
TO TRAVEL AS A NoBLEMAN PRAISE FOR OLD REGIME
Be
| Examination of Panama Along With own
| Termo of
De Ia Barra's Last Message
to Congress Optimistic.
TAKES LOOK INTO FUTURE
Temporary Head Of Government
Says Revenues Are Not Impaired.
PRAISE FOR OLD REGIME
Last Days of Diaz Reign Recalled
Along With Review of His Own
Term of Office.

MEXICO CITY. September l6.-In keep
ing with his peculiar position as presi-
dent ad interim. Francisco de la Barra
presented to Congress today in his an
nual message such. praise as he could Of
the last days of the old regime and re-
viewed the history of his term of office.
note of optimism ran through the en-
tire message. AS the president views the
situation, the late revolution has not i'm
paired the revenues of the nation to any
extent and he expressed the belief 1t
would be but short time before the
prosperity of the country will be far more
marked.
He declared already peace had been
restored in practically all parts OF the
republic and the elections already held
in many of the states have not been
marred by any serious disturbances.
withstanding the abnormal condi-
tons in the last four months of the fiscal
year" said President de la Barra, the
federal revenues show an increase. The
increase at the custom houses was 1, 100,
600 pesos over those Of the same period
OF last year.
Other Increases Noted.
He said other sources of revenue, with
the exception of the stamp tax depart
ment. also had shown considerable in
crease. The stamp tax revenues showed
a decrease of little more than per
cent
The president sees signs of improve
ment In the fact that the national rail-
ways have shown increased traffic.
An interesting feature of the message
was that it took into consideration the
S,OW. OOO-pesos appropriation voted upon
the recommendation. Of Limantour for
carrying on the war against the revOlu-
tionists. followed by the appropriation Of
6.OOO,Oo0 pesos more May 81. five days
after Gen. DiaZ sailed for Europe. The
president explained the combined sum
was used partly for the purpose of which
I-imantour intended it. but most of the
money went toward paying the revolu-
ZIONIST troops when they mustered out
and for the general pacification of the
country.
Debt of Revolutionists Paid.
Out of this fund there was paid debt
of 642 1875 pesos contracted by the revo-
lutionist party and which had been recog-
nized by the revolutionary government
at Juarez. At this point in his message
President de Ia Barra offered as evidence
that the revolutionist government had
contracted no loans abroad
Notwithstanding the extraordinary
disbursements the message continued,
.'atr the end of last August there were
J,asO,4I1 pesos in the treasury, reserve
This amount may be varied slightly by
the. receipt of certain foreign accounts
now pending. *
The presidents MESA ge. revealed that
claims for indemnity so far presented
against the government number 1.OO4 and
cali for the payment Of 19s94,7 100 pesos.
Bureau for Contract Labor.
The question of contract labor which
has been exploited by many writer's as
having. resulted in a condition Of practical
slavery was dwelt upon.
The president assures congress that soon
there would be Submittedsfop Its approval
d Plan FOR the establishment of "a bureau
of4iabof, WhoSe duties would Include the
drafting sof new rules under which labor
should be contracted. The plan con
templates that this bureau shall act Wher
| necessary as a board of arbitration tG
settle disputes between employers and
employees.
/ Many congressman who was present
at the closing of the spring session was
absent when the joint session of deputies
and senators was called to order tonight
| A number have been given work In
other branches of the government, but
more partisans of the old regime are alb
sent.
| The galleries were filled when the presi
dent began reading his message and al
intervals the spectators joined with con
| gresslnen in applaudlng.