New Britain herald., 1915-07-03

tuition, i come before the Supreme
Representatives Of the nation in order
to resign, unreservedly, the Office u
constitutional president Of the Repub-
lie with which the national vote hon
ored me, which / do with the more
reason since, in order to continue IN
office. it would be necessary to shed
Mexico blood, endangering the credit
Of the country and exposing It's pol
lev to international complications.
II hope gentlemen, that when the
passions which are inherent to all
revolutions have been Gained, morc
conscientious and just study VIII
bring out N the national mind. a corr
rect Judgment, which, when | die,
may carry craven on my soul as
Just estimate Of the life which / have
devoted and will devote to my coun-]
trymen."
The revolution led by General Fran
cisco T. Madero, Jr..s had brought
about the aged presidents reported
pledge early in 1911 to resign his Of
flee in a bargain for peace, but on
MAY "a. the day on which the resigna-
ton was expected, it was not forth
coming. Riots occurred that day in
Mexico City, during which many per-
sons were killed. The National Pal
ace was stoned by mobs shouting
viva Madero." and demanding To
know why Diaz did not resign. The
next day he read his letter Of resigna-
ton to the Chamber of<sDeputles. A.
large majority voted aye; the other
legislators rose and bowed their nj
f1rrnation as their names were called.
Provisional President.
The Minister Of Foreign Affairs,
Francisco Leon de la Barra, was Inn
nediately chosen Provisional PresI-
dent and Diaz, of whom for thirty
years all Mexico had stood in awe,
left the capital. secretly the next day
to embark at Vera Cruz Tor Europe.
Since then he had lived virtually an
exile in Paris and other European
cities, a silent observer of still more
troublesome times in the land he had
long ruled.
The views General Diaz held Of
these subsequent happenings were re-
ported mainly by rumor. He author
lied but few interviews. and those In
the main were those of an old man
grieved over his own misfortunes and
those of Mexico He longed to see
peace re-establishd. and was oftn
quoted as having urged the now for
mer President Huerta to quit to pre-
vent a foreign war. He was repeated
~ reported on the point of returning
to Mexico, but he denied that he ever
would, unless Mexico was drawn into
war with the United States, or unless
it was for him to die in his native
land.
Born In 1880.
General Diaz was born in 1880.
His family were of old Spanish stock
with an infusion OF Indian blood.
Left fatherless at the age Of three, he
was educated at the expense OF the
bishop Of caxaca with the intention Of
becoming priest. but he eventually
turned to law and then. at the out
break Of the war with the United
States, turned to military career. Z.
He served throughout that struggle
in militia company which he helped
organize. and after peace was declared
he made special study of military
science. He and one other were the
only two in the country who dared
openly oppose the continuation Of
Santa Anna's dictatorship. His exc
cution was ordered, but he escaped and
joinde Herrera's revolt. He speedily
made reputation as a soldier, and
as brigadieI gene-al he was the chief
thorn in the side Of the French forces,
when, taking advantage of the civil
war In the United States, they at
tempted to place Archduke Macmillan
OF Austria on the throne of a Mexican
empire. Diaz harrassed the enemy
constantly, and in June, 1867, captured
Mexico City with his forces On the
re- ablishment Of the republic he
was unsuccessful as d candidate for
president. but In 1877 he was elected
to fill the unexpired term Of the fugi-
tive president. Lerdo. His last and
eighth election was in July, 1910.
Finally reaching the presidency, he
ruled it with will Of iron for thirty
five years, until virtually driven out
by the Madero uprising. He was ac-
cused of unscrupulousness in his
treatment of those opposed to him,
and he was a dictator who would
listen to nothing contrary to his will.
BALDWIN FOR COUNSELOR.
Cornish, n. H., July 3.-The ques-
ton Of selecting a man to succeed SEQ
rotary Lansing as counsellor Of the