The Winslow mail., 1911-06-24

1877, that Gen. Porfirio Diaz was
first elected constitutional presi-
dent of Mexico. His last and
eighth election was in July, 1910.
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 his
Photographer of fernando Cortez.
AS boy General Diaz was educated
for the priesthood, but the death OF
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
Diaz 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 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 a 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 founC
himself popular hero in Mexico
Juarez a dictator, had managed so tt
embroil himself with foreign govern
ments that fleets of foreign warships
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
terror, General Diaz pitted his raw
men against the trained veterans O
France and won great victory. HI
was finally overthrown, however, ant
taken captive.
He refused a parole and made hi
escape, so thst in 1863. when tn,
French after capturing the City o
Mexico, proclaimed as emperor thu
Archduke Maximilian of Austria, Gen
eral Diaz was able to take the fiel,
and reorganize the army of Mexico. o
which he soon became commander-in
chief.
He was captured in 1865 by Marsha
Bazaine while in a conference hel,
under flag of truce. Bazaine urge'
Maximilian to shoot General Diaz, say
ing that he was the most dangerou
enemy the imperial cause had. bu
the emperor tried bribery instead
General Diaz could not be won b.
either threats or bribes, and finall
made his escape. For months after
ward he kept up a constant guerill
warfare against the French.
After the capture and shooting c
Maximilian, in 1867, General Diaz wa
nominated for the presidency by tn
progressive liberals against Juare,
He was defeated, and his partisan
raised the cry of fraud. General Dia
was himself convinced that he ha
been cheated, and from that time O
there was the bitterest enmity b,
tween him and his old friend Juare,
In 1871 Juarez again defeated Diaz fc
the presidency. but soon afterwar
died, his Office falling to Lesdo, hi
statutory successor
General Diaz was an uncompromi
ing opponent of Lesdo and in 1875 h
raised the standard of rebellion. H
was captured, kept prisoner aboard
warship. but managed to escape b
jumping overheard. Later he wa
again captured, but again made b
escape and went to Oaxaca. where b
raised an army of 1000 men. Wit