The Washington herald., 1911-05-26

The life Of Porfirio Diaz. Mexico's
fourth President, reads like page from
medieval history No other ruler Of mod
ern times has had career So fraught
with adventures and deeds Of daring.
From is earliest boyhood days he has fig
ured prominently in the wars and politi-
cal intrigues of the Mexican republic. and
time and again has barely escaped with
his life.
Although his country is n republic. for
the past thirty years he has ruled 1t with
CT iron hand. By some he was called a
despot and tyrant: by others he was re-
garded as one of the greatest statesmen
and constructionists that ever lived.
He brooked no opposition in the devel-
opment of his plans. and w'nt so far
ac to amend the constitution so that he
could be elected to office continually.
But at the same time, he alone is re-
sponsible for Mexico's position among
the nations of the world to-day. He put
an end to the strife within the borders,
stamped out the religious fanaticism
which barred the progress of the people,
and invited the investment Of foreign
capital.
Diaz was of Mexican-Indian parentage
He was born in' 1880 in the town of OAK
aca, among the mountains of Southwest
ern Mexico. His father, a Mexican inn
keeper, died when he was but three years
cid. and his mother was left alone in the
world to care for six children.
His first actual service came in 1854.
when revolt against Santa Annals ty-
rannies was started by Gen. Alvarez.
pure Indian. who fought for independ-
ence against Spain. After the fall Of
Santa Anna, Alvarez was elected Presi-
dent, and he appointed Diaz a captain Of
the national guard
With the entry of the Clericals into the
Mexican capital In 1851 dark days began
for Diaz and his followers. Then came
the French invasion. Archduke Maxi
milan. brother OF the present Emperor
OF Austria. was proclaimed Emperor OF
Mexico and soon after his coronation is
sued a decree. proclaiming all patriots
outlaws and commanding them to be shot
as such.
Diaz became a fugitive from Justice
town of OaXaca, with a remnant of his
followers. and placed in close confine-
ment in an old seminary.
He made a daring escape by climbing
over convent roofs. and, gaining the
street, seized a horse and rode away.
With Diaz at liberty, the throne of
MaXimilian was in danger. The French
usurper made overtures TO him, offering
the position of cOmmander-in-chief of
the armies of the Emperor Diaz repudi-
ated the offer. and said II was his one
object to make the Emperor his prisoner.
Diaz took Puebla with terrible
slaughter. and while he was besieging
the City of Mexico MaXimilian was cap
tured in QueretarO by Gen. Escbedo and
executed The City of Mexico surrender
ed, and Jaurez. the Indian President. re-
turned TO find the flag of the republic fly
ing above a sea OF Diaz's bayonets. This
was in June. 1861. and the same year
Diaz was candidate for President
against Juarez, but was defeated.
JuareZ died, and was succeeded by
Lerdo, a statesman of some repute, who
attempted to do away with Diaz. Diaz
escaped TO the United States, and at
tempted to sail from New Orleans for
Southern Mexico under the disguise of a
doctor. He was recognized aboard the
steamer by some officers allied with the
Lerdo forces and captured. after an at
tempt TO swim ashore through the shark
infested waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
When the ship arrived at Vera Cruz,
Diaz secured sailor suit, bribed some OF
the harbor men to take him ashore and
turned up in the heart of Lerdos terri
tory The effect was magical Like Ma
poIeon returning from Elba. his appear
ance in the country of his birth was the
signal of a great uprising.
The Lerdo regime tottered as the news
of his appearance became current, and
after winning victory upon victory. he
marched in on the capital in 1876. at. the
head of 12,OO0 men. to be almost unan-
imously elected President few weeks
later.
This position he has held ever since,
with the exception of three years, 1880 to
1884, when Gen. Gonzales was given
the office because Mexico's constitution,
later amended. would not permit the re-
election of a President.
From the Presidents chair the doughty
general faced a problem greater than