New Britain herald., 1915-07-03
gen, PORFIRIO DIAz
SUCCUMBS At PARIS
Former Mexican Dictator Dies in
80
ObsCurity in France


PARTS. July s.-Genera1 Porfirio
Diaz. former president Of Mexico. died
at Z o'clock last night. General Diaz's
wife. Sonora Carmen Romero Ruhio
lsDiaz, and their son. Porf1rio Diaz, IT..
and the latter's wife were at the bed
side when the end came.
Colonel Diaz, in announcing the
death Of his father, said he was un-
able to state the nature Of the malady.
but expressed the opinion that a COM
plication OF diseases due to advanced
age was the cause.
ID No tragic circumstances marked the
death Of the exiled ruler. Owing to
tho troubled state in Mexico, il has
been judged impossible to send the
body home with all that ceremony
which would have beftted one or the
greatest figures in Mexican history,
and, further, Colonel Porfirio Diaz,
Ii has tried in vain to inform his
sisters, Rincon Gallardo, who are now
IN Mexico, Of the death of their
father.
No less tragic, perhaps is the fact
that not one of those whom General
Diaz raised up to be his assistants in
governing Mexico, and who prospered
and grew rich In the shadow of his
greatness, was with him when he
Ydied. Jose Yves de Limantour, for
mer Mexican minister Of finance, is
in London; Francesca de La Barra,
- NJ
leo and holder OF other important po-
sitions, including the ambassad orship
to the United States and Guillermo
de Landa, former governor OF the fed
eral district in Mexico, are in Biarritz,
!, France. Scarcely anyone outside the
family knew of the seriousness Of
General Diazs illness or that he was
In Paris.
The end seems to have been
brought about by failure of the heart,
which was weakened by severe at
tack of grip last year. This illness
also left the aged exile almost blind.
Nevertheless, he was accustomed to
walk out daily during the past spring
in the Boie de Boulogne. which he
loved because it resembled the Cha
spultepec in Mexico City. He had
been hoping to go to Biarritz shortly,
but his illness prevented this.
Lived In Simplicity.
: General Diaz lived here in the
greatest simplicity, occupying a mod
est apartment, in striking contrast to
the great houses and retinue of serv-
ants maintained by some Of his
friends who left Mexico with him.
No decision has vet been made con-
corning the final disposition of the
body or the date Of the funeral
General Diaz had been in falling
health since reaching Europe in 1911,
after his resignation from the presi-
dency Of Mexico following the sue
, cessful Madero revolution Last fall
he was Ill at Biarritz, France, but was
reported to have recovered. He had
consistently declined To comment on
the passing phases Of the Mexican
situation.
Letter Characteristic OF Him.
The letter with which General Por-3
nrio Diaz announced, on May IS,
1911. his resignation from the pres
idency ST Mexico after having been
master Of the country for thirty-hve
years gives In his own words an
interesting glimpse Of his remarkabf
career. Tt reads:
n. Sir The Mexican people who
generously have covered me with
honors, who proclaimed me as their
leader during the International war.
who patriotica1ly assisted me in all
works undertaken to develop indus
try and The commerce OF the Repub-
lie, establish It's credit, gain for it the
respect Of the world and obtain for
II an honorable position in the con
I, cert Of nations-that same people
sir. have revoIted in armed military
bands. stating that my presence in
the exercises OF the supreme execu-
tive power is the cause OF this IN
surrection.
do not know OF any fact i'm
putable to me which would have
caused this social phenomenon but
s-permitting, though not admitting that
may be unwittingly capable, such
possibility makes me the least abs
to reason out and decide my own
culpab ility. Therefore. respectins
as I have always respected the will
Of the people. and in accordance with
article 50 with the Federal Consti-
444@5 StE