The Newport plain talk. (Newport, Tenn.) 1909-1939, 1913-04-17
STORMY CAREER
OF FELIX D|Az
Leader OF Mexican Revolt Has
Had a Charmed Life.
DEFEATED MANY TIMES.

Greatly Resembles His Uncle Porfirio
IN Personality and Deeds--More Lib
eraI In Views Than Former Dictator.
Appeals to Native Love of Spectacu.
lar-Just Escaped Execution.
City of Mexico. Colonel Felix Diaz,
whose attack on Madero led to General
Huerta's election as provisional presi-
dent is one of the most remarkable per-
sonalities Mexico had ever produced. He
is the nephew of Portirio Diaz, who for
more than thirty years was dictator OF
Mexico. His father was General Felix
Diaz. who was slain in 1871 in the re-
volt of the Diaz faction against Presi-'
dent Benito JuareZ.
Not only does the younger Diaz
physically resemble his banished I'M
cle but their careers up to the present
are remarkably parallel. Admirers of
Porfirio Diaz have said that since
Richard Occur de Lion the world has
produced no man of so thrilling u per-
sonal and military career as 1.-The man
Of Mexico" as he was called. He was
the hero of fifty pitched battles, lead
er of the forlorn hope of Mexico
against the trained armies Of France
in the war of the Intervention. when
Benito Juarez and his capital were be-
tvcr hae nil -
Felix DiaZ. as does his uncle. seems
to bear q charmed life. In the six
years he was chief of police Of the
City of Mexico his life was attempted
number of times. The Mexican
character is boyish In love Of the spec
tacular. 1t is hero worshiping peo-
Pile. The latest exploit of Diaz in es-
Gaping from death cell and sudden
~ showing himself at the head of an
army will appeal o>the characteristic
trait Of people that love daring.
whether in the bull ring or on the bat.
tlefeld. and is likely to contribute the
elan the cause might otherwise have
wanted
Temperamentally the younger and
the elder Diaz are different. The old
dictator, suspicious and intolerant. rul-
ed his people with the "n,ano ferro."
the iron hand. Felix was for n large,
measure Of personal freedom and more
than once incurred his l,ncle's dis
pleasure by the il,eraity of his views.
Felix supported his 'ii,le through the
MaderO revolution. bGt when the latter
tiiumphed he went under the yoke
with good grace. Up To two months
before he organized the fia>hy little
revolution that resulted in his capture
and the immediate surrender of Vera
Cruz he kept his rank of colonel in the
regular army.
While servn. Under Madero he WAS
visited by ENJOYS of tiisaf1'ected leaders
who represented that the dreamer OF
Nueyo Leon. with none of the ability
OF Porfirio Diaz. was worse tyrant
than DinZ had ever been He was AS
snred of the support of the army il he
would take the lead in Il revolt. When
he reached Il decision -nnd he wasn't
long about 1.-THE resigned his commits
sion. With the following Of Orng,o
Iapata and Agiliar promised him. II
Diaz once more ISSUED his '',rpnuncia-
ncnio" IT. prp.i;imed himself chief
Of all the rebel forces in Mexico and
took possession ut he city Of Vera
CruZ.~t.yery federal soldier in The gar
rison deserving ~ him. rs we'll rs the
police. tireinen and citizen volunteers.
I'ut the Madrro government had been
warned. and the loyal ,r,Di> reraptnr-
ed Vera Cruz after two hours of fight
ing and made Daz prisoner.
The order OF The court martini was
that DiaZ should I've shot at sunrise ON
the mornin. OF oct 20 E,it when the
news reached the City Of Mexico there
MAS dissension in he cabinet over what
course the president should take. The
majority. including the presidents
uncle, Ernesto Nadero. the minister of
finance. and Gustayo Madero. the presi-
ilen;'S brother. who was taken prisoner
by DiaZ. insisted that he he shot. With
put deciding just what to do Colone!
l)iaz was placed in prison at Vera
t'rnZ ana later confined In the Santiago
prison, from which he escaped.