Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-03-17
MEXICO.
M-What Diaz Has Done.
By FREDERIC J. HASKIN.

II one wishes to demonstrate to his
own mind what Porfirio Diaz has done
for the republic Of Mexico let him first
travel through Central America and then
visit Mexico. 1t is everywhere conceded
that Mexico was not as far advanced as
a nation in 1876 as is Central America
today. Yet, if Diaz has done no more
than bring about the progress represent
ed by the difference between present con-
d!tious in Central America and those OBJ
tanning in Mexico today, he has done
enough to justify the high esteem in
which he is held by the entire political
world. The natural advantages possessed
by Mexico are no greater than those pos
sessed by the republics of Central Amer
lea; the masses of the people are in no
wise superior in fiber or culture. But in
spite Of this, Mexico is as far ahead Of
Central America today in all that goes
to make up a prosperous and progressive
nation as the United States is ahead of
Mexico.
When DiaZ came into power there were
practically no railroads in the republic.
less than five hundred miles having been
constructed to that date. Today every
important. community in the entire re-
enjoys transportation facilities that may
fairly be compared with those of any
state south of Mason and 'Dixon's line.
One may travel from Salina-Cruz. the
southernmost important port on the Pa
cific side of Mexico. to New York, a
distance of approximately thirty-five
hundred miles, with only two changes.
The nopulation of Mexico has all but
doubled since the beginning Of the rule
Of President
Population of Republic Diaz. When
Has Nearly Doubled. power the
total population Of the republic was ap-
proximately 100000. Today it is esti-
mated to exceed $4,000. 600. AS the immi-
grafton into Mexico is not large, these
figures point to two conclusions: First.
that the native Mexican is not given to
tions in Mexico have not been unusually
burdensome upon the people
The financial growth of Mexico during
the ascendency OF Daz has been most
remarkable. When he came into power
the country was burdened with huge
national debt, so large that 1t seemed
a hopeless ambition to iquidate any part
of 1t, or even to keep the interest &C
count we'll in hand. Since that time un-
told millions have been spent in public
improvements, control of a large pro
portion Of the railroads Of the republic.
has been acquired. and vast expenditures
Of money have been incurred. and yet
Mexico's credit in the money markets OF
Europe and America Is better than ever
The rates of interest charged when Mex.
leo Is borrower compare favorably with
the terms given to- the average European
nation. For great many years II
was thought impossible to limit the ex.
penditures OF the. government to the
amount Of its income: in the latter hall
Of the administrations of Diaz the
operations Of the government uniformly
have shown a surplus, and the. national
debt is being liquidated to the extent OF
more than a million dollars gold a year
The financial, condition OF the nation
also is disclosed by the bank statements
Of today In 1875 the banking power OF
the republic was limited to few small
banks with q capital not at all common
surate with the needs even OF that day
Today every principal town has from one
to half dozen banks and their combined
assets aggregate approximately bill
lion dollars. Money for the development
Of any meritoriois project Is to be had
on conparatively favorable terms. The
banking law of the nation Is regarded as
exceptionally we'll drawn with a strong
prohibition against wildcat operations.