Arizona republican., 1915-07-03
PORF|R|O DIAz
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though not admitting, that I may be unwittingly culpable, such possibility makes me the least able to reason out and decide my own culpability. There fore respecting as l have always re- spected the will Of the people, and in accordance with article S2 with the fed eral constitution, l come before the su preme representatives of the nation sn order to resign, unreservedly, the office of constitutional president of the re- public with which the national vote honored me, which I do with the more reason since. in order to continue in office. it would be necessary To shed Mexican blood. endangering the credit of the country. dissipating it's wealth exhausting its resources and exposing it's policy to international complica- tions.
 T hope. gentlemen. that when the passions which are inherent to all rev olutions have been calmed, a more con- sciencious and just study will bring out in the national mind a correct judg- ment. which. when I die. I may carry graved on my soul as a just estimate of the life which I have devoted and will devote to my countrymen."
 The revolution led by General Fran cisco l. Madero. Jr., had brought about the aged presidents reported pledge early in 1911 to resign his office in bargain for peace. but on May 24, the day on which the resignation was ex- pected. it was not forthcoming. Riots occurred that day in Mexico City. dur ing which many persons were killed. The National Palace was stoned by mobs shouting Viva Maderoi" and de manding to know why Diaz did not re- sign. The next day he read his letter Of resignation to the chamber of depu- ties large majority voted aye; the other legislators rose and bowed their affirmation as their names were called.
 The minister of foreign affairs Fran cisco Leon de la Barra, was immedi- ately chosen provisional president and Diaz, Of whom for thirty years all Mex ico had stood in awe. left the capital secretly the next day, to embark at Vera Cruz for Europe. Since then he had lived virtually an exile in Paris and other European cities, silent ob- server of still more troublesome times in the land he had long ruled
 The views General Diaz held of these subsequent happenings were reported mainly by rumor. He authorized but few interviews. and those in the main were those Of an old man grieved over his own misfortunes and those of Mex ico. He longed to see peace reestab- lished. and was often quoted as having urged the now former President Huer- ia to quit to prevent a foreign war He was repeatedly 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
 General DiaZ was born in 1830 His family were of old Spanish stock with an infusion of Indian blood. Left fath- erless at the age of 3, he was educated at the expense of the bishop of Oaxaca with the intention of becoming priest, but he eventually turned to law and then at the outbreak of the war with the United States turned to a military career. He served throughout that struggle in militia company which he helped organize, and after peace was declared he made a special study of military science. He and one other were the only two in the country who dared openly oppose the contention of Santa Anna's dictatorship. His execu- tion was ordered, but he escaped and joined Herrera's revolt. He speedily made a reputation as a soldier, and as a brigadier general he was the chief thorn in the side of the French forces, when, taking advantage of the Civil War in the United States, they attempted to place Archduke MaximiIian 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 reestablish- ment of the republic he was unsuccess- ful as candidate for president, but in 1877 he was elected to fill the unex- pired term of the fugitive president. Lerdo. His last and eighth election was in July 1910
 To Diaz was given credit for the ad- vance of Mexico to the status of a stable progressive and prosperous gov ernment. although the autocratic meth ods he employed were widely criticised