New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-05-26
MEX|CO'S DEBT To O|AZ
"0Id Lion" Gave Stability to
Government-0rder from Chaos.

troll of the destinies of Mexico. third or
century ago. found her a thoroughly dis
heartened, demoralized. dsorganized coun-
try. He leaves her one Of the most
sef-respecting American nations with
every prospect of future stability. Nor
is this marvellous progress due wholly
TO the genius of the Mexican peo-
pie. a phenomenon that might have
been manifest under any fairly capa-
Bile leadership Critics agree that except for
the masterful personality Of Diaz. what
ever view may be held of the righteousness
Of his methods, the recent history Of Mex
leo might have read quite differently.
In the half century preceding the rule OF
Diaz Mexico had two emperors a regent
and ffty-two presidents or dictators. There
had not been three consecutive years In
which the land was free from civil strife.
When he became Chief Executive, Mexico
was scarcely out OF TIE disorder produced
by the French invasion and the struggle
against the empire If Macmillan. Law
lessness reigned. Travel was insecure.
There was no organized army to restore
order and no capital TO develop business.
To-day all this is changed. The nation
under permanent rule has for years given
itself to the pursuits Of peace. Cotton
mills, tobacco factories and sugar refneries
give employment to thousands. Ju,e. silk,
Uoollen, iron, steel. paper. soap and other
manufacturing industries flourish. The
banking business has been encouraged and
the nations financial standing enhanced
until its reserve fund is mounting toward
hundred million pesos. Tho vast cngi-
neering works 10 drain the valley Of Mex
.co and the merger Of the national railways.
with a capital stock OF nearly 100000
(Mexcan) and nearly eight thousand miles
of road in operation, are probably the
greatest purely material achievements Of
the Diaz regime Mexico has altogether
to-day 1900 miles Of railroad e0,00 miles
OF telegraphs and telephones over $3.50. co.
600 of annual foreign commerce and over
s16oooo,ooO of yearly mining products. On
t-the less material side is showing Of T., go
schools, with their 1900 professors and
Church question. so that it will probably
never again divide Mexico. and the racif-
ca ton of the Indian population.
Opened Country to Foreigners.
And all this Diaz accomplished by the ap-
plicaton to his country of modern admins
trative methods. Under his system II has
been the invariable policy 10 keep aloof
from countries which might cause harmful
entangement. On the other hand. realiz-
ing the danger OF isolation. he opened wide
his countrys doors to foreigners giving
them liberal concessions and every induce
ment TO help develop the country with their
capital and ideas. lie spent over 100000
pesos in railway subsidies and has kept
definite control over the major portion Of
the lines. lie has everywhere prevented
the companies from imposing extoYtionate
rates. and has ever been ready to interfere
to prevent harmful speculation.
one OF his greatest works was opening 10
the public the Tehuantepec railway. the
route to the Far East.
The efforts OF Diaz and his friends had
partly failed. due 10 an unforeseen circum-
stance the consequence Of which could not
have been prevented-the depreciation Of
the value Of silver due 20 well known
financial factors. Diaz, however. did not
lose heart, even in the presence of sucn
extraordinary, and to all appearances in
evitable, obstacles. With the counsel #
Jose lNtS LiIinulObII HIS secretary OF Inc
Treasury, man of universal reputation
as financial authority. Diaz succeeded in
establishing the fixed gold value OF the
Mexican peso conforming 10 the recon-
mendations msdc IN the reports pre-
pared by several financial commissions,
which were appointed TO study a plan ia
arrive at the solution Of the question in
harmony with the national interests and
the requirements Of modern country hav-
ing a great commercial activity
Under this sound policy, imports which
scarcely exceeded 10000 pesos i'm 1876 are
at the present moment over 200 100000 ex-
ports have increased from 100000 10 over
go, 600 oo0; mining Yielded In 1876 some
2O,co.oo pesos, and last year over $50 co.,
90, and agriculture. which then scarcely
produced 100000 pesos. now has over 3co,-
90 900 pesos 10 its credit.
In keeping with this UNPARALLELED develop
ment, population has Increased from 5000
CvO TO l+VoeD, a large number of foreigners
among them Public education. which is
obligatory. has been extended 10 the fur
thest village, so that the number OF those
who can neither read nor write is steadily
on the decrease. In works Of public utility,
in the education OF the masses. III all the
branches of administration. the hand OF a
strong man. just and wise administrator,
is felt
Pen Picture OF Disz.
And one seeing the man who has accom-
plished all this could in a measure under
stand his power. An admirer Of his thus
described him recently:
His high. wide forsbf slprad nm
stiff. white hair and tutted over deepset.