Chapter V: Historical Events

Napoleon III. had determined to create a throne in Mexico for Maximilian, Archduke of Austria. An excuse was soon formed for actual hostilities. Orizaba was reoccupied in spite of the agreement that if the terms of the treaty of La Soledad were not confirmed, the troops of the allies should retire to the positions held by them previous to that treaty. The British and Spanish commissioners had refused to confirm the treaty. The French, under General de Lorencez, aided by Mexican conservatives, resolved to attack Puebla. General Ignacio Zaragoza strongly fortified the hills of Guadalupe and Loretta and received battle on May 5th, completely defeating the enemy, whose troops numbered six thousand. This great victory over the French and their Mexican allies is celebrated as one of the national feasts, _El Cinco de Mayo_, and the gallant Zaragoza received the appointment of military governor of Vera Cruz and the distinction of having his name inscribed on the walls of Congress in letters of gold, and Puebla took the name thenceforward of Puebla de Zaragoza. Diaz won fresh laurels for the valiant fight he led with his brigade and for his pursuit of the vanquished enemy.

The conservatives had proclaimed Almonte president, under the “Plan de Córdoba,” on April 19th.

General Forey arrived in Mexico during September with heavy reinforcements and superseded Lorencez. Acting without recognizing Almonte’s government he instituted an active campaign. He laid siege to Puebla on March 16, 1863, with over twenty-five thousand men, but was repulsed repeatedly till the 29th by the brave Ortega who defended the city with twenty-two thousand troops. On that day, Fort Iturbide was taken, but in hope of expected relief the gallant defender resisted every forward step within the city until forced by lack of food and ammunition, he was compelled to surrender on May 17th. Marching with a train to the relief was Comonfort, who had returned from exile to defend the integrity of the republic, and who on May 8th encountered Bazaine and Marquez at San Lorenzo and was defeated. This double disaster was only redeemed in part by the magnificent defence made by Ortega, which placed the achievement high on the roll of fame. Twelve thousand prisoners were taken at Puebla, including twenty-six generals. Of the latter some of them escaped later, among them being Ortega and Porfirio Diaz. The French under Bazaine entered on June 7th, Forey completing the occupation on June 10th.

Forey by decree of June 16th, authorized the French minister Saligny to name a _junta_ of thirty-five Mexican citizens who should elect three Mexicans to constitute the executive authority. This resulted in the choice of Almonte, Mariano Salas and Labastida, Archbishop of Mexico. The _junta_ also chose an “assembly of notables” which met on July 10th, and declared the adoption of a moderate hereditary monarchy with a Roman Catholic prince as ruler, under the title of “Emperor of Mexico;” that the crown should be tendered to Maximilian, Archduke of Austria, for himself and his descendants; and that if Maximilian did not accept, then the benevolence of Napoleon III. was to be appealed to to nominate another Catholic prince.

Maximilian accepted the tendered crown conditionally on a plébiscite in his favor, and the military aid of France so long as that might be necessary. On April 9, 1864, he renounced all rights to the throne of Austria and on the following day accepted the crown of Mexico.

On May 28, 1864, the new emperor arrived at Vera Cruz accompanied by the empress, Carlota. Thence they proceeded to Puebla and thence to the capitál, where they were enthusiastically received on June 12, 1864. The Regency which had reigned in the name of the emperor was forthwith dissolved and Maximilian assumed personal rule. He was too liberal for the church authorities and soon found himself at odds with them. He was forced to issue a decree condemning to death (October 3, 1865) all persons carrying arms against the empire and all persons aiding them. This fateful decree which condemned patriots to the ignoble death of “bandits and criminals” was issued on the presumption that Juarez had abandoned Mexico and that an official government of the republic no longer existed, but its promulgation and the infamous execution by Mendez served but to strengthen the patriot cause.

History has a tempered rebuke for Maximilian and a sympathetic record for his sorrowful empress. As a man, the emperor had many excellent qualities; as an emperor, he might of his own volition have sought the goodwill and the weal of the people of Mexico. Mexico spurned him and his advisers. A belief that with his accession a stable government might ensue may have induced a large number to acquiesce in the establishment of an empire. But the movement was conceived in treason; it practically gave back power to tyrants from whom it had been wrested at the price of peace, blood and life. The empire could not stand except by the mercy and favor of France and at the cost of Mexican blood and progress.

Following upon the French occupation of the capital on June 7, 1863, despite frequent defeats and with lessening resources, fighting continued. Diaz bravely and splendidly defended Guerrero, Oaxaca, and Puebla, notably in the taking of Taxco, a brilliant operation for which he was rewarded with the rank of major-general. Bazaine, who had defeated Comonfort at San Lorenzo, replaced Forey, whose success had been rewarded by recall to enjoy a marshal’s appointment, on October 1, 1863, and was to assume also the diplomatic office of Saligny. Besides the French army, he had a Mexican division of twelve thousand under Marquez. With such forces the constitutional army must grapple to preserve the republic. The republican army was commanded in chief by Comonfort, but in spite of most heroic defence, it was defeated in nearly all its battles of 1863. The valiant Comonfort was killed on November 14th. Querétaro, Guanajúato, Guadalajara, Oaxaca, Chihuahua and other important places fell into the hands of the imperialists. The defence of the city of Oaxaca, from January 8th, to February 9, 1865, is one of the notable events in Mexican history. A siege of several weeks could not break the defenders, but lack of ammunition forced a surrender. The hero, Diaz, fell into the hands of the imperialists, but escaped their toils after several months’ captivity, on September 20th. The seat of the government was continually being changed, till at length it was forced to the frontier at Paso del Norte. Dark, indeed, seemed the hope of the republic, but its interests were in the charge of men who were inured to battle and defeat; who knew the spirit of the Mexican people; whose courage and patriotism could not be quenched. On December 1, 1864, expired the term of office of President Juarez, but in view of the danger to which the republic would be exposed by a change of president at that time, the president declared in November, that his power would continue until a constitutional successor should be regularly elected.

In the crisis that faced the government, the United States had not been a silent onlooker. The principles of the Monroe doctrine had provoked Secretary Seward to intimate to France that the establishment of a European monarchy in Mexico was not approved by his government and that, as soon as the pressure of domestic affairs relaxed, the United States government would mark its disapproval of the occupation of Mexican territory by the army of a European power, and that it would not tolerate the establishment of an empire in that territory maintained by foreign military force. With the close of the Civil War, therefore, the United States government demanded the withdrawal of French troops and the cessation of colonization in the country. This ultimatum, for such it really was, resulted in Napoleon’s abandonment of the unfortunate Maximilian.

Maximilian desired to abdicate and leave Mexico with the French troops but while postponing this course, the brave and devoted Carlota went to France and pleaded with Napoleon to maintain his troops in Mexico. In vain did she thus appeal, in August, 1866; she next went to Rome to secure the aid of the Pope, but there, weakened by her trials and crushed with her misfortune, her mind gave way and she was placed in retreat at Tervueren, near Brussels, where she still lives, long deprived of reason. In the south, Diaz, who since his escape from Puebla had gathered a noteworthy force was organizing a third campaign against the invaders, whom he signally defeated in brilliant engagements in Oaxaca, at Nochixtlan on September 23d, at Miahuatlan on October 3d, and at La Carbonera on October 18th, the latter victory being especially significant. The Mexicans were now filled with enthusiasm and unwavering courage led them to make light of the discrepancies between their military resources and those of their opponents. Diaz then laid siege to the City of Oaxaca which surrendered on October 31st. This victory furnished the liberal army with much needed ammunition and artillery. Moving southward toward Tehuantepec, Diaz won the battles of La Chitova and Tequisistlan on December 19th and 26th. In January, 1867, the government was transferred to Zacatécas, but it was again driven forth a few days later by Miramon, who had returned to Mexico, and the president and his ministers barely escaped capture. Before the date for the final withdrawal of French troops arrived, Bazaine left Mexico with the last contingent, in February, 1867.

But not all the desperate devotion of soldiers or skill of generals could prevent the republican armies of the North and West from uniting and on March 10th completing the investment of Querétaro. On March 22d, Marquez successfully got past the invading lines with a cavalry force of twelve hundred to make his way to the capital and bring thence the garrison to make a real attack on the invaders and allow the besieged to escape. Proceeding to the capital, Marquez secured the garrison, but instead of returning to Querétaro, he took his force of five thousand men to relieve Puebla, which General Porfirio Diaz was besieging after having driven the enemy from the south. The latter, however, captured the city on April 2d, after a masterly and brilliant twenty-five days’ siege. On this occasion the victory was doubly remarkable as a military operation and as an example of the magnanimity of the victor, who spared the lives of those who surrendered, in spite of the provocation of the enemy through the cruel and wanton shooting of many of their prisoners. Diaz, joining forces with Guadarrama, completely routed Marquez at San Lorenzo on April 10th, and then marched to the capital, to which he laid siege on April 12th.

At Querétaro, the Imperialists bravely sustained the unrelaxed siege, which was marked by many brilliant sorties against the republican troops; but without avail. The defeat of Marquez had destroyed all hope of relief to the besieged, and after a siege by General Escobedo of over nine weeks the imperialists resolved on its abandonment. Before this plan could be effected, Maximilian was seized through the treachery, it is said, of Colonel Miguel Lopez, who betrayed him. Maximilian spurned the opportunity to save himself, although warned of his danger. He took his last stand at the Cerro de Las Campanas, but finding it impossible to hold this position, the emperor surrendered his sword to Escobedo, on the 15th of May.

Maximilian was imprisoned in the convent of the Capuchins with Miramon and Mejia, to await trial by court martial, in pursuance of the decree against traitors and invaders promulgated by Juarez on January 25, 1862. On June 13th, he was arraigned and condemned to death on the 15th. The sentence was approved by General Escobedo who fixed the following day for the execution; but it was postponed until the 19th, on the order of President Juarez, when at seven in the morning the unfortunate Maximilian, with Miramon and Mejia, was shot on the spot on the Cerro de las Campanas where he was captured. The appeal of the United States to spare the life of Maximilian had been refused, but President Juarez pardoned nineteen generals of the Imperial army who had been condemned to be shot. The president stood firm in his belief that his duty required that Maximilian should suffer the extreme penalty as a warning to usurpers and foreigners who might attempt to destroy the nation. The ex-emperor faced death as a hero, effacing his rank in the line of the doomed by giving Miramon the centre and his patriotic address, short and sympathetic, aroused admiration and crowned his tragic death with honor. Time has dealt mercifully with the memory of Maximilian and the voice of posterity has regretted the extreme penalty he suffered.

At the capital, General Diaz was storming; Marquez defended the city bravely and well. Its fate was certain in any case, but its surrender became immediately inevitable on the arrival of reinforcements from the republican army at Querétaro. On the night of June 17th, a determined sortie was repulsed with considerable loss and on the 19th the Austrian auxiliaries capitulated. On the 21st, the city surrendered, Marquez having gone into hiding, with his family, after resigning his position. Diaz occupied the capital and disposed of his large number of prisoners in three prisons and carefully safeguarded the rights of the inhabitants and administered orderly the affairs of the city so that he was able to hand over the large sum of three hundred thousand dollars on restoring the government to the president.

Again, Juarez entered the capital in triumph, the people manifesting intense delight and enthusiasm on the occasion, the 15th of July. The disposal of the sentences against Imperialists was early concluded, great leniency being extended toward them. Marquez and some other leaders escaped, and finally a general amnesty was proclaimed on October 13th, 1870, excepting only Archbishop Labastida and Generals Uraga and Marquez. Of the other disturbers, mention need be made only of Santa Anna, who had returned to Mexico and been condemned to eight years’ banishment. He died at the capital on June 4, 1876.

The work of rehabilitation of the political and business condition of the nation was a task that called for great wisdom and energy on the part of the executive. Juarez was re-elected president and endeavored to effect some changes in the constitution, but in view of the opposition of some of his supporters, the 1857 constitution was re-established. The president of the supreme court was Sebastian Lerdo de Tejada. Juarez succeeded in establishing diplomatic relations with the European powers which had recognized the Imperial government. He instituted a change in the administrative divisions by erecting the States of Morelos and Hidalgo, in 1868 and 1869, respectively, in honor of the independence patriot martyrs. His first term was disturbed by insurrections and the familiar _pronunciamientos_, but the government promptly and firmly repressed them, so that he was re-elected and entered again on a four years’ term on December 1, 1871.

On July 18, 1872, Juarez died suddenly. In the regeneration of his country during a period of exhaustion that resulted from the war against the Imperialists and from the previous insurrectionary movements of the centralists, the labors of Juarez were directed with patriotic sincerity and great ability, and the march toward national consolidation was well advanced. Important railroads and telegraph lines were projected and established and the prosperity of the republic enlarged.

Lerdo de Tejada succeeded Juarez by virtue of the constitution, and with the acquiescence of the followers of Diaz. He retained the cabinet of his predecessor and quietly directed the public affairs. To quench disaffection, he proclaimed amnesty for those who had taken up arms against Juarez, of which, however, Diaz refused to accept. The constitutional election placed Lerdo de Tejada in office on December 1, 1872, and he again recognized the Juaristas in making up his cabinet.

A very serious insurrection broke out in 1873 in Tepic, under the leadership of Manuel Lozada, cacique of Alica, who marched with eight thousand men against Guadalajara, but was completely routed by General Ramón Corona, and the district of Tepic subdued and occupied by the government and Lozada was shot.

On May 29, 1873, Congress approved the reform of the laws as to church and state and on September 25th, the constitution established separation of the two; freedom of religion; civic marriage; the right of affirmation by witnesses; free labor; the inviolable liberty of Mexicans as to labor, education and religion. The disputes with the clericals had become bitter, foreign Jesuit priests had been expelled from the country, even the nuns had been driven from their convents and the Sisters of Charity were banished in 1874. In December of this year, Diaz was elected to the Federal Congress and his friends insisted on his candidacy for the Presidency at the next election.

Lerdo’s popularity and his hold became weakened early in 1875, and in May he secured from congress personal power and authority in respect to war and finances. The Juaristas were no longer ready to support him solidly. The conflict aroused by President Lerdo’s aspirations and the consequent opposition of the followers of Diaz had meantime plunged the country into warfare. Diaz especially had been indefatigable and successful in the field. After Matamoros came Icamole and these were followed by his culminating contest at Tecoac. He had reached Oaxaca with great difficulty, being obliged to travel from North Mexico to New Orleans, and thence to Vera Cruz in disguise.

He gave battle to General Ignacio Alatorre on November 16, 1876, and completely defeated him at Tecoac. President Lerdo abandoned the capital and went to New York. On the 24th, Diaz entered the capital and organized a government.

Iglesias maintained that the proceedings were not constitutional and refused to acquiesce on the conditions proposed. Diaz entrusted the government to General Juan N. Mendez and took the field with General Manuel Gonzalez against Iglesias with an army of twelve thousand. Diaz returned to the capital on February 11, 1877, and resumed the executive power provisionally. On May 5th, the people elected him constitutional president for the term ending November 30, 1880.

Though gaining the highest office by revolutionary means, Diaz avoided all approach to subversion of popular rights or dictatorial rule. His life was quite unostentatious; he declined the state residence and occupied his own modest home.

One of the president’s first tasks was the re-establishment of friendly foreign relations; he affected an amicable arrangement of border troubles. The task of encouraging foreign capital to promote great enterprises, particularly railroads, was also early taken up. The increase of the public revenue and the economic and honest administration of public offices was zealously promoted by the president whose labors resulted in marked advance in prosperity and enlargement of commerce and industry and a regular businesslike discharge of the public service with due regard to constitutional requirements.

In 1878, an important amendment of the constitution was effected providing that the president and the State governors should be ineligible to re-election until an interval of four years had elapsed from the termination of their offices. This change was absolutely endorsed by President Diaz, who would not consent to become a candidate for re-election in 1880. On September 25th, General Manuel Gonzalez was duly elected and he assumed office on December 1st, without any violence being manifested. Indeed, the new era had come; the transmission of executive power being accomplished peacefully, for the first time since the republic had been established. The new president secured the co-operation of his predecessor as the minister of public promotion, but in a few months, General Diaz resigned after initiating several important public works.

The new birth of the nation manifested itself in growing demands for public improvements and a regular administration of the public service that outran the resources, which had not acquired the stability and elasticity sufficient to respond to the situation. Besides extension of public works, the government successfully established diplomatic relations with Great Britain.

At the election in 1884, Diaz was again elected to the presidency and assumed office on December 1st. Successful as a leader in the field; familiar with all the political and industrial conditions and needs of the country, the popular choice of the people, he was now free to concentrate his wonderful energy and unusual ability on the task of making the nation. Financial chaos was the groundwork on which his government stood. The national treasury was penniless; the credit of the country destroyed. Only the glimmering of real progress and financial and industrial advance and stability had so far been seen. Plans had been proposed of great merit. Railroads, telegraphs and other public utilities had been advocated and projected, but the time of action had not arrived. With the clear and decisive judgment characteristic of the man, with the firm will and wonderful capacity with which he was gifted, Diaz imparted to his people the confidence he entertained and his administration was so successful that before its close, in 1888, Mexico had entered on the open path of political solidity and financial and commercial stability. The crushing burden of foreign debt was reduced; the means of transportation and communication were improved and extended; mining enterprises were actively fostered.

One of the problems of serious import that early confronted the president was the relations with Guatemala arising out of the arbitrary decree of President Barrios of Guatemala that the control of the five Central American republics should be in his hands. President Diaz promptly protested against so despotic a claim and energetically prepared to support the protest by armed force, that “the old right of conquest should not prevail among the free peoples of America.” The great drainage canal, one of the notable modern engineering works, was begun at this time. Peace with the outside world, and but minor Indian uprisings, which were quickly suppressed, gave the opportunity for works of real advancement, which were unintermittently followed.

So imperative was the need of continuing the direction of the country in the same hands, that an amendment was made to the constitution providing that the president should be eligible to succeed himself for one term. Accordingly Diaz was again inaugurated on December 1, 1888, amid popular enthusiasm. The satisfactory domestic conditions permitted of fuller entry into international comity and of placing Mexico into closer and better defined relations with foreign countries, a policy that was prudently and successfully carried to the conclusion of an extradition treaty with the United States and the creation of an International Boundary Commission, treaties of amity and commerce with Great Britain, Japan and Brazil, Russia and the Argentine Republic. Mexico participated in the Pan-American Conference at Washington in December, 1889, being ably represented by her minister of that day, Señor Mathias Romero, and General Enrique A. Mexia.

Public improvement did not halt and a survey of public lands was provided for. An event that marked the wide interval of domestic strife that a few short years had bridged occurred in the funeral honors shown to ex-President Lerdo de Tejada, who had died in exile in New York, his obsequies in the National capital being attended by President Diaz and all his ministers as well as the leading statesmen of the country.

In 1892, so remarkable had been the advance made, so completely had the activities of the nation been weaned from fratricidal struggles and directed into channels that were building a magnificent heritage, that further constitutional provisions were adopted abolishing all restrictions upon the eligibility of the president to succeed himself, in order that the direction of affairs might not be jeopardized by a change in the policy of the government.

The public enterprises under way, the extension of public instruction throughout the country, the development of mining and agriculture and the growing transportation and communication systems were matters of vital importance to the welfare of the nation and could bear no postponement except at the cost of the present and the future.

The keynote of President Diaz’s aspiration and self-imposed obligation, is found in his message to Congress on September 16, 1892: “The potent influence of peace, which is now fortunately consolidated, will undoubtedly be of great service to the republic in its progressive development.

“Even if during the presidential term that is about to terminate no other advantage than this inestimable benefit should have been secured, my aspirations would have been satisfied, because the obtaining of greater happiness for the Mexican people is principally due to the virtues that have preserved men in the critical period of their history and to their love of order, economy and labor, which will place them some day among the nations most apt to gather the fruits of our modern civilization.”

During the next term, for which Diaz was practically unanimously elected, studious care in the cultivation and extension of friendly foreign intercourse was the dominant policy. Internal affairs were responsive to the improved financial measures; and every opportunity was sought in encouragement of foreign capital to sustain and extend the industrial and commercial development.

In 1894, Mexico effected a satisfactory adjustment of boundaries with Great Britain in respect of the Yucatán-Belize delimitations, which had aroused perplexing controversy. The administration was called upon to exercise prudence and jealousy in dealing with Guatemala in the same year, when a general sentiment favored war in consequence of illegal acts charged against Guatemalan officials within Mexican territory.

The financial affairs of the republic had steadily improved and during this administration satisfactory terms were arranged for the service of the foreign debt. The diplomatic relations were maintained on the basis of the strictest and justest recognition of international right and Mexico enjoyed the respect and confidence of the world. A memorable incident of this period was the opinion expressed by President Diaz on the quality and application of the Monroe Doctrine. This opinion was both able and judicious to a high degree. It carried the principle of maintaining the integrity of the republics beyond the limitations of a single American republic and claimed as a right and duty the co-operation of all American republics to secure the integrity of either. At the same time it indicated that such co-operation should be sought by the aggrieved nation and, moreover, that the occasion should be such as should clearly involve the integrity of the nation and be, moreover, reserved from outside influence questions that might affect national honor.

Before the close of this term more than equilibrium had been established between revenues and expenses, for a considerable surplus remained in the treasury, while concurrently all branches of the public service had been judiciously provided for and great strides taken in public works.

On December 1, 1896, began the new term of President Diaz under the most auspicious promise. Particular attention was early directed to financial and commercial affairs, as required by the constantly expanding foreign and domestic trade. A law relating to institutions of credit was passed so as to extend commercial affairs with greater facility and protection; under the operation of which banking conveniences were greatly increased throughout the States.

One of the measures of Congress to which the government gave successful effect was cause for national pride and at the same time greatly helped its financial policy. This was the conversion of the national debt on a gold basis, with which was coupled the reduction of the interest by one per cent.; the release to the treasury of certain funds which had been hypothecated to the service of the foreign debt; the unification of such debt; and the cancellation of the mortgage of the Tehuantepec Railway.

The year 1898, was a period when the diplomacy and influence of the government was put to the test. Spain was at war with the United States. Intercourse with both combatants demanded a scrupulous neutrality between them, but the government of Mexico was skilfully conducted without giving rise to controversy with either belligerent. In 1899, the diplomatic rank of Mexico’s minister to the United States was raised to that of an ambassador, a like courtesy being extended by the United States. The same year Mexico participated in the Peace Congress at the Hague, at the invitation of the Emperor of Russia; the United States and Mexico being the only American republics so invited. At this conference, the influence of Mexico was thrown in the direction of the enlightened principles in furtherance of international peace and amelioration of the ravages of war that were embodied in the convention of the Congress.

The year 1900 is remarkable for the great improvements inaugurated in the capital. Tramways and the electric lighting service were extended and improved; private and public buildings of a splendid character were erected, among them the Post Office, the National Geological Institute, the Children’s Asylum and others; all of which contributed in an important degree to render the capital more attractive and befitting the modern standing of the city and the nation.

The last diplomatic gap was filled during the year 1901, when official relations were re-established between Mexico and Austria Hungary, which had been closed since the war of the French Intervention.

The delegates to the second Pan-American Conference assembled in the City of Mexico, in 1901. The occasion was critical owing to the strained relations then existing among some of the southern republics, and it is a tribute to the eminent position recognized as belonging to Mexico that the labor of the conference resulted in the conclusion of a series of important treaties and agreements tending to the welfare of the nations of the American continent.

For some time a controversy had continued with the United States in regard to claims of the Catholic church in California and the case was presented to the International Arbitration Court at The Hague, in 1902. The decision was adverse to Mexico but it was accepted and acted upon loyally by that country. This was the first case before the International court to which Mexico was a party.

Diplomatic relations were officially established with Cuba, in 1902, and with Persia, in 1903, and legations were established in the southern republics. Arrangements for peaceful adjustment of disputes by arbitration were made with Venezuela and further evidence is thus given of the cordial sympathy of the Mexican people and its government with all courts to promote international amity.

The City of Mexico, in 1903, was finally in the enjoyment of a completed drainage system which made the condition of the capital enviable. The same year marks the elimination of yellow fever as an epidemic. In other directions, also, progress continued to be the constant incentive of the government.

An important change in the constitution was made respecting the presidential term and the election of the vice-president. The former was extended to six years, that of the latter to be concurrent, and his election made similar to that of the president. Following this change came the almost unanimous re-election of Diaz and the election of Ramon Corral to the vice-presidency.

One of the most interesting and useful incidents of late happening in Mexico was furnished by the visit, in 1907, of Mr. Elihu Root, Secretary of State. His reception and entertainment, splendid and magnificent, afforded the most complete evidence of the honor in which the government of which he was so eminent a member was held and of the high esteem and regard entertained for the American nation by Mexico. The contrast drawn by Mr. Root between the Mexico of 1869, as seen by Secretary Seward and that viewed by Mr. Root so sharply points the progress made that it may well be recorded in the speaker’s words:

“Then was a country torn by civil war sunk in poverty, in distress, in almost helplessness. Now I find the country great in its prosperity, in its wealth, in its activity and enterprise, in the moral strength of its just and equal laws, and unalterable purpose to advance its people steadily along the path of progress. Mr. President, the people of the United States feel that the world owes this great change chiefly to you. They are grateful to you for it, for they rejoice in the prosperity and happiness of Mexico.”

Such was the glowing tribute to the lofty aims and the great achievements of Mexico. So strong a sympathy officially between the great governments of the northern continent may well inspire confidence in the future of Mexico. Other instances of the mutual friendship of the two republics are seen in the enthusiasm shown on the occasion of the celebration of Mexico’s Independence Day at the Jamestown Exposition in 1907, at which the republic displayed a noteworthy exhibit. The great banquet of the Chamber of Commerce of New York in November, 1908, afforded an opportunity to Americans to testify their regard for the president and people of Mexico, which they did enthusiastically. Finally, the meeting of the two Presidents of North America’s republics on the frontier on October 6, 1909, was as friendly as it was ceremonious.

The historical meeting of President Taft of the United States and President Diaz of Mexico occurred at the frontier of the two countries on October 6, 1909. The exchange of courtesies was initiated by the Mexican Executive in terms eulogistic of President Taft, who in turn paid honor and tribute to President Diaz and Mexico. President Diaz, in full dress uniform, made brilliant with gold lace, and wearing many decorations, driven in a carriage richly gold-mounted and drawn by black horses, crossed the international bridge with an escort of troops and was received with cordial greeting on behalf of the United States by Secretary of War Dickinson, attended by a body of American troops, on reaching the boundary of the United States. Here as a guest of the sister republic he left his own carriage and entered into one provided by the American authorities while a salute of twenty-one guns was fired. Escorted by a large body of artillery he was driven through the streets of El Paso to the Chamber of Commerce Building, where he was awaited by the American President attended by his state and federal officials. Along the route loud and continuous cheers greeted Diaz, who was accompanied by General Cosio, minister of war; Olegario Molino, minister of commerce and industry; Señor Creel, of Chihuahua, former ambassador to the United States; now secretary of state; Colonel Pablo Escandon, chief of the military staff; and Señor de la Barra of the Mexican Committee of Arrangements. Formal greetings having been made and presentation of officials, the two presidents retired for a private interview, attended only by Governor Creel.

The conference in the chamber of commerce over, and the Mexican president having returned within his own territory, President Taft was soon on his way across the international bridge to Juarez. He was received by the escort of President Diaz with all the distinction that had been accorded to the Mexican executive. Quaint little Juarez had put on her holiday dress and everywhere fluttered brilliant banners and bunting; the way of the visitor was along a brilliant avenue of flower garlands and multi-colored streamers. The greetings exchanged at the custom house were as follows:

President Diaz: “Your Excellency, the Mexican people and I feel very proud indeed to have you on Mexican soil. I believe that the personal acquaintance which I have made with you and the friendly feelings which already exist between the United States and Mexico will be a guaranty of the continuance of the friendly, cordial and strong relations between the peoples of the two countries, and that success and prosperity will follow.”

President Taft: “This is the first time, so far as I know, that a president of the United States has stepped beyond the border of the United States, either on the north or on the south, and I esteem it a great privilege to be the president at the time when that event has happened. I hope it is significant of the tightening of the bonds between the two countries. Railroads and other means of communication like the telegraph have brought us closer to each other, so that the City of Mexico and the City of Washington are far nearer to-day than they ever were before.

“And that means a closer union of feeling between the two peoples, a closer feeling between those responsible for the government of each country; and I esteem it the greatest honor of my life to have the privilege of representing the United States in such a significant ceremony.”

The festivities really began with a magnificent banquet given by President Diaz to President Taft. The scene in the patio of the custom house was one never to be forgotten. The display of decorations was magnificent. The flowers used, three trainloads, came from all parts of the republic; the gold and silver plate was the service handed down from the time of Maximilian. The courtyard was converted into a banqueting room by means of a temporary roof and banks of flowers exhaled an enchanting fragrance. Prominent among the decorations were large portraits in oil of George Washington and the Cura Hidalgo, above which, expressive of the occasion and suggestive of the similar services of the two patriots stretched the stars and stripes of the United States and the red, white and green of the sister republic. The toast of President Diaz was profoundly cordial and appreciative of the greatness of the United States and the American people and of President Taft, and concluded with the words: “An occasion which will serve to strengthen the bonds existing between the two neighboring nations, whose respective elements of life and interest find in themselves reciprocal complement and enhancement.”

Toasting the President of Mexico, President Taft said:

“The aim and ideals of our two nations are identical, their sympathy mutual and lasting and the world has become sure of a vast neutral zone of peace in which the controlling aspiration of either nation is the individual’s human happiness. I drink to my friend, the president of this great republic, to his continued long life and happiness, and to the never-ending bond of mutual sympathy between Mexico and the United States.”

The guests on this significant occasion numbered one hundred and fifty, the City of El Paso presented commemorative loving cups of gold to the two presidents. Soon after each president was on his way back to his seat of government. The American president was escorted to his own territory amid a bewildering blaze of light and attended by the shouts of happy welcome of the people of the picturesque Mexican town.

This unique event, of happy promise for the mutual welfare and progress of the sister republics inaugurated a phase of relations that should make simpler the work of coöperation between the governments of the United States and Mexico.