Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-03-15

II ident Porfrio Diaz, the ageC
ruler of Mexico. is held ha:
been illustrated by the univer
sal concern displayed over the recent
rumQrs Of his illness and impending
death. While these reports have beer
denied, they alarmed the nations and
may have played a part in the dis
patching of an American army to the
Mexican border
President Taft and President Diaz
have the same birthday. Sept Is. and
their warm mutual regard was evi
denced at their meeting in FL Paso
and Juarez two years ago.
Count Leo TOlstoy once referred to
Diaz as the greatest ruler of our age
Theodore Roosevelt called him the
greatest statesman now living" What
manner Of man is this who can win so
high encomiums from such sources
Ia the first place. he is part Indian, his
mother having been a halfbreed and
his father, an innkeeper, having had
Indian blood Porfrio was born in 1880,
on Sept. 10, the anniversary of Mex
icO's strike for liberty. While still a
child he lost mis- father and his youth
was one Of struggle and poverty.
Intended For Priesthood.
B The mothers ambition was that he
should take orders, and he was placed
under 4 priest for study. The lad had
more martial and worldly aspira lions,
but compromised by reading law.
When the war with the United States
broke out he went from his home In
Oaxaca to become q soldier, but before
seeing q battle his country had sur
rendered Returning TO the law, he
studied and taught by turns. becoming
a full fedGed professor at the age Of
twenty four. Then be took up arms
against Santa Anna and, placing him
self at the head Of ii band OF poems,
helped in the dictator's overthrow. In
1873 he joined the army of Juarez in
the fight against the clericals. first
serving as captain and leading a
charge with a bullet hole il his side
For gallautry in this and in q later bat
tie which he fought 20 recover his ma
tive town Diaz was promoted rapidly
till he became n general, governor Of
a state, commander Of a district and
member OF congress.
When our own civil war occurred
and the Monroe doctrine was hung up
for 4 season. France. England and
other European powers took the oppor-
tunIty to intervene in Mexico. It was
then that Diaz became known as the
hero Of Puebia."
On the invasion of the French he
held the town against the basiegers
and repuised them. although outnum-
bered three to one. Later the French
were Reinforced and in the end com
PEELED his surrender, He refused to
sign a parole and was imprisoned. but
made a perilous escape disguised rs
an Indian and became commander of
the army of the east.
Glory In Defeat.
So splendid was the defense of Pu-
ebla that the anniversary Of the first
battle, the 9th of May. was made a
holiday.
A brusQue American once asked the
president, "Why do you Mexicans cele-
hrate a defeat when you know that
the French finally took PuebIa?"
President Diaz, with twinkle in his
eye, replied: Perhaps we have initial
ed the Americans even to the extent
Of celebrating our defeats. for / have
been told that the British defeated
the Colonists at the battle Of Bunker
Hill. and yet you built monument to
the event"
After Macmillan became emperor Of
Mexico and Bazaine was placed in
oF 10 frnr fol
refused allegiance to the empire and
was still further imbittered by the
execution Of his brother. a republican
soldier like himself Bazaine at first
tried to corrupt Diaz and, failing In
this, led a great army against him.
capturing him after stubborn lighting
and throwing him into prison a second
time. While incarcerated Diaz receiv-
ed an offer Of liberty direct from Maxi
milan If he would be a general of the
empire. Spurnlng the second oppor-
tunity TO become a traitor. the future
president once more escaped by clam
bering over the tops Of buildings and
falling into a sty full Of pigs. making
his getaway during the resultant
clRmor
After the American civil war was
ended the Monroe doctrine was taken
Town from its nail, busted OF and +.
acked on Uncle Sans front door in
light OF all the world. Napoleon the /
Little was reminded by our state de /
,artment that this would be q good F
ime for him te remove his French
soldiers from the western hemisphere
which he did forth with, leaving Maxi /
milan TO shift for himself. II was I
he twice imprisoned. twice tempted
nd twice escaped patriot general,
'orfirio Diaz. who at this juncture
aptured the City OF Mexico, and
lasted about long enough
0 be taken out one morning before
reakfast and shot.
Power Follows Defeats.
General Diaz's first marriage was
Celebrated during his siege OF the Mex
ran capital. After the end OF the