Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1915-07-10
PORF|R|O D|Az
DIES IN PARIS
Former Dictator of Mexico Dead
at Age Of Eighty-FiVe.
EXILED FROM NATIVE LAND
Ex-President Ruled Republic for Thir-
ty-Five Years Fought
Against the United
States.

Paris, July 3-Gen Porfrio Diaz,
former president of Mexico, died here.
General Diaz's wife, Sonora Carmen
Romero Rubio Diaz and their son,
Porfirio Diaz, Jr., and the latter's wife,
were at the bedside
Porfrio Diaz was Mexico when
there was a Mexico. When on May
81, 1911, he fed the western hemi-
sphere in the face of Francisco /.
Madero's rising revolution, Mexico
started on the wild orgy of disin-
tegration that now is spending it.
self in anarchy. Loosed from the
iron hand, the nation blew up
Before Theodore Roosevelt was born
Diaz was an apostle of the Big Stick
and its effective accompaniment of
the soft voice For 80 years he ruled
Mexico. all of that time, with the ex-
ception of four years, as its president.
Under his dominance the country was
an inviting spot for American capital,
an invasion which he encouraged with
the wisdom of a statesman and a true
economist
Mother an Indian.
His military career, however, had
begun when he took up arms against
the United States. Diaz was born at
Oaxaca September Is, 1880. His
mother was an Indian and his father
was of old Spanish lineage. The IA
Their died when Porfirio was three
years old, and he was educated at the
expense of the bishop of Oaxaca. He
intended to become a priest but
when the war with the United States
broke out he enlisted at the age of
sixteen.
After the war he worked with his
hands at many trades. studied law
and finally settled down to master
military science.
At time when defeat meant death
young. Diaz cast his lot with Juarez
in the revolution which in 1884
brought about the downfall of Santa
Ana the one-legged dictator Four
years later he fought under the ban
ner of Juerez in the war of reform,
and in 1853, having risen to the rank
of general of brigade, he took the
field in the French war Of interven-
ton.
He was captured by the French
troops in 1863, but escaped. aad in
1867 he compelled the surrender Of
the City of Mexico by Macmillan.
That year Diaz became a candidate
for the presidency against Iuarez. but
was defeated. When Lerdo became
president in 1871 Diaz emerged from
retirement at Oaxaca as CHIEF of a
revolution. and Lerdo placed a price
upon his head.
Chosen President in 1875.
His study of military science stood
him well, and his campaigns we're a
succession of victories until, in 1876.
re marched into the City of Mexico
at the head of 10000 men and was
elected president of the tepublic al
most unanimously. From 1880 until
1884 he permitted his friend Gonzales
TO occupy the presidential chair. but
he remained the dominant figure in
Mexico, serving during that vacation
from titular honors as a member Of
the cabinet. senator and governor of
Oaxaca.
Cut His Own Salary.
Assuming the presidency again in
1884. he remained in office until his
resignation in 1911. AS president he
displayed statesmanlike qualities from
the first AS al example Of retrench-
ment he began by cutting his own
salary from 100000 to $4,000. He
built up an arm that was loyal to
him and his word was law through
out the republic A frstclass fight.
ing man himself and familiar with
the toughest types that infested the
country. he engaged the most fer,
cious bandits in the hills to work :
the government in stamping out the
lind