Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-04-30

Z.
eral weeks Gen. Diaz came to Browns
Vile and took a modest room at Miller s
Hotel. where he remained a few days and
then removed to a private residence which
is still standing in a state of good repair
and is pointed out to visitors as being OF
historical interest on account of the fact
that 1t was once occupied by the present
President of Mexico. This residence was
the boyhood home of James Stillman,
head Of the City National Bank Of New
York.
1t was while I'm Brownsville that Gen.
Diaz made arrangements for financing
his revolution. He received large sums
of money from sources which are not re-
called by the older citizens at this time.
and these funds were paid over to him
through one of the principal banks in the
town. Besides occupying a private resi-
dence Gen. Diaz had an Office in a two
story business building that overlooked
the Rio Grande. and from which vantage
point his vision could take in a good
scope OF his native country which he
was barred from entering. This building
Is also still standing.
While many people In Brownsville
knew the purpose of Gen. Diaz's visit the
fact seemed to have been slow reaching
the knowledge of the United States mill
tary authorities that were stationed at
Fort Brown, which adjoins this city.
Finally. however, the situation dawned
upon the United States government and
the order came from Washington for the
arrest of Diaz and his followers. But
even in those days Diaz was not without
his resources in keeping in touch with all
possible contingencies that might result
in his downfall. In some way that is not
publicly known he was tipped Off as to
the prospective raid that was to be made
upon his headquarters here. With Gen.
Gonzales and few other trusted men he
quietly took his departure one night from
the town. That was the last that was
seen of Diaz in Brownsville.
Diaz Eludes Pursuers.
He still remained on the American side
of the river. however. The report was
circulated that Diaz had gone to ranch
several miles above here. The cavalry
troops at Fort Brown were ordered out to
intercept him, as 1t was believed he in
tended crossing into Mexico at the head
OF an armed force. Diaz, however, had
laid his plans we'll He and his few ad-
visers. instead of stopping at the ranch
where they were reported to be. went to
the home of Don Sabas Cabazas. located
on the rancho San Pedro, nine miles from
Brownsville. where DiaZ and Gonzales
kept In close seclusion for several weeks.
United States troops secuted all over the
valley in search of the refugees, but were
unable to obtain any trace as to their
whereabouts.
Several times scouting parties stopped
at the headquarters of the rancho San
PEDRO, but they were given no hint that
the men for whom they were so vigor-
ously searching were within such close
touch. During his stay at this ranch
Gen. Diaz sent his emissaries through
the country and promulgated his revolu-
tonary propaganda so effectively that in
a snort time many men had been en-
listed in his cause. Even at the rancho
n
time more than 200 men. all ready to
start with Diaz on his proposed invasion
Of Mexico. Similar bodies Of rebels were
located at many other points in the bor-
der territory. Through Gen. Gonzales the
revolutionary sentiment had found root
among the soldiers of the Mexican gov
eminent who were garrisoning Mata-
moros.
Finally the day came when the first
strike for the overthrow of President
Lerdo de Tejada was to be made. Bid
ding his warm friend Cabazas adieu,
Gen. Diaz called his little nucleus Of the
invading army around him and made a
brief address in which he told them of
his plan to capture the city of Mata-
moros. At the head Of this armed and
mounted force Gen. Diaz rode through
the dim trail in the chaparral at night
and crossed the Rio Grande a short dis
lance above Brownsville.
City Taken Without a Struggle.
The taking of Matamoros was accom-
p1ished with hardly the semblance Of a
struggle. The soldiers who were sup
posed to be charged with its defense well
coined the entry of Diaz and his men
and Joined the invaders. The news that
Matamoros had been taken by the revo-
lutionists under Diaz spread rapidly
through the country and created great
enthusiasm among those who were in
sympathy with the cause and ready to
take up arms in its behalf. BY securing
this footing on the other side Of the Rio
-Grande Dfaz was able to bring in a
great store of arms and ammunition and
provide for the equipment of his rapidly
increasing force of insurrectionists.
der town in the same way that the revo-
lutionists who are now trying to over
throw his administration would profit
should they be successful in their plans
to capture Juarez or some other town on
the Rio Grande border, and thus establish
a basis Of operations making 1t easier to
obtain munitions Of war and supplies
which are held to be contraband under
the neutrality law.
Gen. Diaz having inaugurated his revo-
luton in northeastern Mexico turned his
attention to other parts of the republic.
and in a remarkably short time had sue
ceeded in overthrowing President Lerdo.
1t is interesting to recall the fact that one
Of the chief declarations of his proposed
governmental policy was that federal
elective officers, from president down.
should hold but one term. This is the
same anti-re-election principle that is now
advocated by Francisco I. Madero, jr..
who is leading the revolt against the Diaz
administration. When DiaZ became presi-
dent, however, and was succeeded at the
end of his first term by Gonzales. he
changed his opinion as to the anti-re-
election policy, and the constitution was
amended so that he could Derpet1iate him
self in office for an indefinite period
1t was during Gonzales administration
that Diaz made visit to Europe He en-
tered the United States by Brownsville
and spent a few days here the guest of
old-time friends.
A Transaction in Stamps.