The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1911-03-16
Persons Who are Well Informed
in Mexican Affairs are Al
most Unanimous In
This Opinion
VERY POPULAR With PEOPLE
Those Who Know Fearless Military
Leader Believe Him Strongest Man
in Republio-Has Taken No
Part in Revolution.


persons here who possess first-hand
knowledge of certain phases of the sit
uation in Mexico by reason of ,
their former residence there. the
opinion is almost unanimous that the
man who is destinued ultimately to
succeed Perfirio Diaz as the head of
the government Is Gen. Bernardo
Reyes, for many years governor of
the State of Nuevo Leon of which |
Monterey is the capital. Reyes is a
man of over sixty years. able, enter
prising and deeply beloved by the ar
my.
Gen. Reyes was born in the City of
Guadalajara and at the age of l6 went
into the ranks of the republican army
which was then fighting the French
invaders. He at once became noted
for his gallantry and was a military
parsonage of distinction before he had
reached the age of %. He was present
at the siege of Querataro, when the
Archduke Macmillan was made pris-
oner. After peace was restored he
continued his military career and fig
ured in several minor revolutions with
great valor The battle of villa Union
was the scene OF his greatest triumph.
IT was for conspicuous gallantry here
that he was made brigadier- general In
this conflict he was wounded three
times.
Made Governor of Nuevo Leon.
AS a reward for his services in the
field General Reyes was appointed mill
itary governor of Nuevo Leon and held
that office until 1883, when the civic
authorities took charge. He was out
OF the office only one year when he
vas again chosen chief executive of the
state. He served several terms and in
1901 he was appointed minister of war
by President Diaz.
President Diaz was even then well
aware of the extraordinary popularity
of the governor of the rich and pros
porous state of Nuevo Leon, and II
was said that the real reason for the
latter's appointment as minister OF wal
was to bring him to the City of Mexi-
co, where more watchful eye coulo
be kept on his movements. The change
however. worked to the profit of Gen
eral Reyes. He learned much througf
his association with Diaz Limantoul
and other men of great abilitypwlthii
the government circles. AS minister
war; moreover, he had many opportun
tiles to strengthen his popularity VIII
the army and ii is said he used thes
TO the best advantage. Among othe
things he increased the pay OF the sol
ders and introduced many minor re
forms that tended to better their lo'
1t was generally believed that TIM
and afterwards that the ti' ps stoo
ready to follow Reyes in any move
ment
Very Popular With People.
As n conseouence. when Gen. Reye
resigned his post and minister oi wa
and again assumed his favorite onic
as governor of Nuevo Leon, the Dia
government continued to keep shar
eye on him. In fact the governmei
understood the situation so wen 'nd
no complete regiment Of troops eve
was left in the command of Reyes i'
was broken up on one or announcer ca
cuse and sent to some other part
the country. About five years az
when war threatened with Guatema
and troops were rushed by the Mex
can government to the Central Amer
can border, President Diaz was si'
and there were fears for his recover
eli
cuse was found to withdraw nearly
the troops from Reyes's territory a.
leave him with only skeleton FORM
tions. After that he had few troo
at his disposal. Again. about TWO yes
ago, when discussion was rife as 10
probable successor of Diaz, folloWi
the election of Ramon Corral TO
vice presidency, anti-adminls,ra'l
riots occurred in many parts OF the
public and cries of ''viva Reyes!
Down with Corral!" were hearu
all sides. President Diaz theh
deavored to get General Reyes out
the way by appointing him 10 30
Europe on a special mission, put
plan was not successful. Neverthel'
Reyes, with admirable self-control'
Trained at the time from taking
advantage of his acknowledged POI
larity and from the beginning OF
present insurrectionary movement
has remained inactive. feeling co
dent perhaps. that the course
events would ultimately be to his
vantage.
Typical Spanish American.
General Reyes is described as 81