The Holbrook news., 1911-08-11

TT was 34 years ago, way oack ID
 1877. that Gen. Porfirio Diaz was
 first elected constitutional presi-
 dent of Mexico. His last and
 eighth election was in July. 19lO. His career since his early youth much of which was spent in poverty. has been adventurous and picturesque He was born in September. 1880. his | father being Capt Jose Faustino Dlaz' a lineal descendant of Bernal Dlaz del Castillo, the companion and nls- photographer of Fernando Cortez.
 AS a boy General Diaz was educated for the priesthood. but the death or his father forced him to some lucra- tive employment and he became drug clerk. While working at this humble occupation by day. he studied law and taught school at night Juarez. governor of 'Oaxaca. met the young man at this point in his career and became greatly interested in him
 The invasion of Mexico by Gen. Winfield Scott in 1S47 gave General Diax his first great chance Young as he was, he joined the army and fought vigorously against the Americans On the conclusion of peace he re- sumed his law studies under the tutelage of Juarez, but political upris- ings invariably found him in arms, and he finally attained to a colonelcy in the army, giving distinguished service at Oaxaca and Jalapa-
 Head of Highest Court.
 His great services soon won him notable recognition He was raised to the presidency of the supreme court which in Mexico gives the same rights of succession that vice-pres- ident has in the United States. The election of Juarez to the presidency found General Diaz in full accord with him. but politics soon wearied him, and he resumed his military career, serving brilliantly as brigadier gen. eral against the conservative insurrec- tionists.
 On his return from a two months campaign in the mountains. where he had many narrow escapes, he found himself a popular hero in Mexico. l Juarez, a dictator, had managed so to | embroil himself with foreign govern ments that fleets of foreign werships were sent to Mexico. Then followed the French invasion in 1862. Diaz was the great hero of the defense. While Juarez was raising troops in the in- terior, General Diaz pitted his raw men against the trained veterans oi France and won a great victory. He was finally overthrown. however. and taken captive.
 He refused a parole and made his escape. so that in 1863. when the French after capturizy the City oi Mexico. proclaimed as emperor the Archduke Maximilian of Austria. Gen eraI Diaz was able to take the field and reorganize the army of Mexico. oi l which he soon became commander-in chief
 ] He was captured in 1865 by Marsha : Bazaine while in a conference helt under a flag of truce. Bazaine urged Maximilian to shoot General Diaz. say ing that he was the most dangerous enemy the imperial cause had. bu the emperor tried bribery instead General Diaz could not be won bl either threats or bribes. and finally made his escape. For months after 1. ward he kept up a constant guerilla warfare against the French.
 After the capture and shooting O Maximilian, in 1867. General Diaz wa nominated for the presidency by th, progressive liberals against Juarez He was defeated. and his partisan raised the cry of fraud. General Dia was himself convinced that he hal been cheated, and from that time ol there was the bitterest enmity be tween him and his old friend Juarez In 1871 Juarez again defeated Diaz fo the presidency. but soon afterwar, died. his ofice falling to Lesdo, hi
 statutory successor.
 General Diaz was an uncompromil
 ing opponent of Lesdo and in 1875 b q raised the standard of rebellion. Fl
 was captured. kept prisoner aboard
 warship, but managed to escape b V jumping overheard. Later he wa
 again captured. but again made hi escape and went to Oaxaca. where h
 raised an army of 1000 men Wit