The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-03-16
By RUSSELL HASTINGS MILL
WARD.

WAND.
ct n the spring OF 1906 Mexico sud
denly became filled with rurnors
=; of impending revolutions.
:: The political enemies OF Porfirio Diaz
believed that the old man had about
Reached the end OF his tether and that
they should unhorse him and his ad-
ministration lest some OF his assoc
seiates be selected to succeed to the
office.
He was old and sick: this much they
knew; and they were satisfied that he
had lost his grip on many Of the tefes
OF the northern States who had sup
Ported him through his continuing adj
gplinistrations. In fact Gen. Reyes In
The North already had shown unmis-
taxable evidences Of a determination
90 lead a revolt which promised to
spread through Chihuahua, Sonora,
Durango and the adjacent States.
3 One spring morning and following
for many days thereafter the Mexican
press. led by the semi-ofiicial organs at
the capital. began to discuss, under
Elaring headlines. Ell Fantasmd and the
dangers that II held in store for all
Mexico and Mexlcans. The word acted
as a magic charm on the revolution
cries and their followers. Reyes prom
Used to be good. his men went back
TO their farms and Mexico soon forgot
the approaching revolutions.
=" Explains Gel Fantasma."
= A. that time my interest in Mexico
consisted in little more than that Of
the average American who knew the
country slightly. but sought out a
friend Of mine who had Just returned
to the States ana asked him what had
become OF the revolution which seemed
" disappear so mysteriously and what
was the meaning Of all this talk about
Fl Fdntdsma. He was an American
Mplomat then on leave syVm his post
and az he is still In tie service he
must be nameless. Here in effect is
the explanation he gave me.
"a little while ago made a hunt
ing trip with Porfirio Dtaz. Jr., son
.-of the old man. and in the frank
3companionship that comes OF
campfire relaxation I asked him
what no meant by all this talk OF
FL FdntGsmd.
Don't you worry about Ell Fan
tGsmd,' Porfirio replied; It is needed
10 keep Mexico at peace. When EI
FGatdsnta dies peace dies with it.
when MI Pdp1-<:st became Presi-,
dent Of Mexico he had q revolution
o'ary army. He had to take into IL
many ba>men and bandits who
"wefe Generals. They would not
-obey Nj PGpd's orders. especially
those who were located close to tho
American border. They permitted
their men, and sometimes even went
themselves. to loot and steal and
kill on the American side of the
border, and they would rob Ameri-
leans in Mexico.
LAS there were many very bad
AMexicans fishting against MI Papa
he needed all his good Generals In
sthe interior, and there was constant
strouble along the border, and the
United States was always complaint
ing. United States soldiers once b
Scaptured Piedras Negras, and fire.
aquently crossed the border and
chased the bad Mexicans whom the
bandits would not put down.
-
:. Note From President Hayes.
. "T was very young at the time.
sbut remember one day Mr. Foster.
Sthe American Minister. handed M
SPdpd a note from President Hayes.
IT was in May, 1874. II said the
Omitted States from then on would
Iinsist that Mexico protect the life
land property of American citizens.
and when Mexico could not do so
idhen the United States would not
hesitate to cross the border with
troops and protect it's citizens.
II remember how angryM Papa
was. He storined and ragged like a.
-jaSuar. He did not sleep all that
Knight and the next morning