New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-03-27
LAND FOR THE Poems?
piaz to Recommend That Con-
oress Appropriate s4o,ooo,ooo.
MAY TAKE BIG ESTATES
ne Ia Barra Gets Word Of Project
Before Leaving Washington
n Assume Cabinet Duties.
From TIE Tribune Bureau !

az
- Mexico. President Daz. in his message
o. Congress. will recommend that approx
.o,.,v $40 ooo. 900 OF the surplus in the
national treasury ne used for carrying out
,,o, N divide large tracts of the public
domain and portions Of the larger haciendas
80, entirely under cultivation and distrib-
ute them as small farms among the poems
.,6 rooror classes 81 the country.
7-b,s announcement was received in a
..oessee n Ambassador de la Barra to-
dsv shortly before he left Washington FOR
MEXICO City 10 assume the duties O. the
Office of Minister Of Foreign Relations, to-
which he tas Just been appointed.
TIE message Of President Diaz recon-
nending this and other important reforms
will be sent TO the Congress when IT con-
renes in regular session next Saturday.
Should the land distribution plan be favor
ably acted on IT Is estimated that from
three million 70 eight million acres will be
rarcelled out as small farms. varying in
size from five 10 twenty acres to the family.
l. is expected that several hundred thou
sand families will thus have opportunity 20
becorrA independent land owners Only
such portions Of the public domain as are
suitable for agriculture or can be made
suitable by irrigation and public improve
n,ent will be distributed This accom-
rlished. the remainder Of the sum appro-
GRATED will be used for the purchase OF
private lands now included in large hacien-
aas or tracts held more or less for specu-
jative purposes II a sufficient number OF
,3ud owners do not volunteer to sell their
holdings 20 the government certain per-
centace Of the larger estates will be con-
denned
Many of the largest land owners In
Mexico are foreigners" said Senior de Ia
Parra and large tracts Of their lands
have not been improved Such lands as
.hcse would be sought az one of the pur-
noses OF the undertaking is to stimulate
agriculture II is expected that the private
lands desired will be offered voluntarily
end that it will he unnecessary 10 resort
70 condemnation proceedings to any con-
siderable extent"
These lands will be sold 10 the poor at
cost under a system similar TO the one
provailing with respect 70 the purchase OF
land BY tenants In Ireland The report OF
Minister Limantour. who IS 10 be retained
i- the Cabinet as Minister of Finance,
slowed the governments finances TO be in
such good condition that il is purposed 10
exact no payments for the land for one
year. in order that the holder may make
fis payments from the crops he produces.
The farms will be paid for in ten annual
PAYMENTS. but allowance will be made for
crop failures.
This plan for land distribution Is merely
one phase OF a general scheme for public
improvements. A programme will be ar
ranged by which it will be possible 10 in
crease the land purchases and distribution
ron year 70 year and to complete I'm
uortant river and harbor improvements, ir-
~gation projects and other interior devel-
opment As The land Is brought under cul-
tivation the railroad facilities will be ex-
tended. President Diaz has expressed the
felief. according to the report received by
the retiring ambassador. that this measure
will inspire confidence in the government,
restore peace and bring about general pros
perity and contentment
Officials Hopeful Of Peace.
With the departure for Mexico City to-
nigh, Of Sefor De la Barra oficial Wash
ington believes the initial stage Of an era
Of peace in Mexico has begun.
President Taft and Secretary Knox as
vel as the members OF the diplomatic
corp :. WHO hdFF FNltAf'u hrth hi''AN7N Nii
rehalf of their countries in the develop
nents OF the Mexican situation. 1t il known.
hare this belief. Many messages OF con-
-ratuation to-day from persons in various
parts OF the world TO Senior DE la Barra
express mis- sentiment. Andrew Carnegie.
VINO has been in close communication with
( senior Dc Ia Barra because OF the latter's
3 ,oorts In behalf of international peace ana
ar1itration wired a. follows
Cordial congratulations. Although We
shall miss YOU sadly We know II is for
your countrys good.
Diplomats and high officials OF the gov
eminent came in a steady stream to-day to
lid farewell 70 the new minister. but a
rathetic sidelieh; OF the day was the fact
that senior De la Barra was required 20 re-
main ia almost constant attendance by the
bedside of his thirteen-year-old son, Fran
CISCO who lay critically i'll.
Senior De Ia Barra'S mission 10 Mexico.
m the face OF present conditions in that
country. l. regarded here a. the most sig
,nifcant occurrence In the Mexican situa-
st,on since Senior Lmantour. Minister OF
;FTnance. conferred in New York with
Francisco Madero. sr.. and Gustavo \. Ma
Zero father and brother respectively, OF
tte revolutionist leader
Corversant With Insurgent Problem.
r. dc, eloped to-day that, though senior
g., II Barra was in New York in company
Win senior Limantour ne refrained from
taking part I'm The peace conferences there
because ,ne felt that - Ambassador to the
United state bis functions were concerned
with international rather than internal af-
faiis de however was fully acquainted
Win what passed q those conferences, and.
added go tais. he since nas had an opportu-
Lf.'H while i0 Washington 10 learn Of the
. toGfentous o. the revoutionist party. 50
; that DO .s entering on his duties as Premier
4 iu tto Diaz cabinet as fully equipped, per
hap. as ni- colleague Se1or Limantour, TO
DIAL With the insurgent problem.
"oincident with the departure Of Minis
ter ae IL Barra came the information from
? trustworthy source that francisco Ma
Zero ,r. and GustayO ). Madcro. who
passed through here last night on the way
O.. san Antonio. TeN. really were on their
pay 20 join The declared president Of the
PROVISIONAL government IN his stronghold in
Chihuahua. As these two men discussed
informally with Senor Limantour in New
. YORK the prospects Of peace and thus are
believed 10 30 fully acquainted with the ex-
ieni the government intends TO 20 in its
: rroDosed policies of reform. 1t is believed
i.r they viii play an important part in
ire negotiations calculated to restore tram
utility iu the republic.
Refuses to Discuss Plans.
sHs. .Ha.1 al iii G.