El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1911-05-27

The hand of Francisco Leon de la
Barra today rules Mexico That same
hand has been guiding its destinies. in
conspicuously but earnestly for two
months, urging. counseling and per-
suading Gen Diaz and his cabinet to
then chage which is today celebrated
in the republic TO the south. While
Francisco I. MaderO. jr.. his heart bent
on securing by force of arms the aspi-
rations Of an oppressed and libertyleSs
people, propelled the movement that
row has eliminated in the downfall of
president Diaz, there has been fought
behind the scenes a battle of words. a
battle of forceful logic with the blind
and stubborn government element in
Mexico City. And the little man with
the flowing grey moustache. whose
personality charmed president Taft and
official Washington for over a year.
today is the modest chief executive Of
the country he so dearly loves
To know senior de la Barra is to be
fond OF him. 1t was my good fortune
in writing about the Mexican situation
at Washington often to be thrown in
contact with him. A newspaper mans
personal estimate of a public figure
usually differs from that which he
feels permitted to write 1t is not the
business of the reporter to write views,
but news Yet I feel safe in saying
that there is not a newspaper man
in Washington but will say that senior
de la Barra the Mexican ambassador,
was as approachable, as frank and as
satisfactory a news source as any in
the diplomatic corps.
Always Painstaking.
His courtesy to the newSpapermen,
born of that breeding in him which
dictates courtesy to all mankind at all
times. bore fruit. He took pains to
outline the Mexican situation to us and
was rewarded by accurate reports
often he would rise from the dinner
ia talk with the newspapermen. He
was always helpful to us. Most sig
rificant along this line, however, is
what will be its relation to Mexico.
Since senior de Ia Barra became min
lister of foreign relations, the change
in the tenor of the dispatches from
Mexico City has been conspicuous. The
freedom OF the stories that emanate
from the Mexican capital today to for
eign lands may be taken as an index
of the birth Of an era OF free speech
and a free press. the legitimate demand
of a progressive people.
1t is just two months today since
sat with senior de Ia Barra in Washing
ton and talked with him of his future
ternoon, March rs. his last day in
Washington Members of the embas-
sizes and legations streamed in to say
good bye. He was busy preparing for
his Journey yet he gave me over an
hour of his time.
He told of his plans for the reorgan-
izatiOn OF the federal government He
talked hopefully but as a man who in
facing a mountain almost too steep to
l.
cautious steps. to get as high as pos
sible
Has Patriotic Ideals.
ct am going to work very hard" he
said emphatically, II have given I'D
my post in Washington. the pleasant
est, most comfortable and happiest a
diplomat could desire, but 1 shall try
to forget all that. I go merely to serve
my country. My only hope is that 1
can serve it WELL
He told me OF events in Mexico
which had precipitated the revolution
1t was talk not then for publication
He admitted the justice of the cause
of the revolutionists on many points
When the message Of president Diaz
to congress advocated a no-reelection
measure, I was not surprised. When
official approval was given the
movement for the organization of po-
litical parties. hitherto undreamed Of
things. 1 saw the hand of senior de la
Barra. His observation of American
politics had taught him that the pres