Maximilian’s First Measures
One of the first necessities that confronted Maximilian in the execution
of his mission was the establishment of diplomatic relations with the
world. The courts of Vienna, Rome, Paris, and Brussels had been informed
at once of his acceptance of the throne of Mexico. It now remained to
notify the remaining powers of this event. A decree was issued on the
twenty-first of June, 1864, empowering the foreign office to make the
necessary arrangements. By the end of the year Mexico had been
recognized as an Empire by Russia, Sweden, Turkey, Denmark, Portugal,
Spain, Italy, France, and England, also by the German Confederation and
the Shah of Persia. Far more valuable to the new monarchy would have
been its recognition by the United States, but the White House at
Washington still looked upon Juarez as President of Mexico, as did its
smaller and less important neighbors on the south, the republics of
Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, San Salvador, and Costa Rica. Thus the
Empire was surrounded by hostile countries, while its only ally in
America, the Emperor Don Pedro Second of Brazil, could be of little use.
Maximilian appointed the advocate Don José Ramirez as minister of
foreign affairs—a man concerning whom opinion is divided. There can be
no question, however, as to his ability and his loyalty to Maximilian,
to whom he proved a valuable counsellor, although the Emperor
unfortunately did not always follow his advice. Maximilian took no
further action in governmental affairs until he had gained a more
intimate knowledge of the country. Though well versed in the language
and history of Mexico as well as its political complications, he
discovered at once the necessity of a personal acquaintance with the
various portions of his new realm and determined to make a tour of those
provinces loyal to him. Meanwhile he devoted himself to learning the
needs of his people. With this object in view he spent much time walking
about the streets of the capital or visiting various public and
charitable institutions. The Empress was her husband’s constant
companion, sharing all his cares and interests, and although Maximilian
did not always agree with her opinions, her clever pen, her quick wit,
and cultivated mind often proved of great help to him.
He soon discovered many evils the existence of which he had not
suspected. The Mexican is profuse in promises which are never kept, and
Maximilian had daily proof of this national characteristic. In spite of
his personal charm and kindness the French officers kept jealously aloof
from him, regarding themselves as slighted in the distribution of
orders. The clergy, disappointed that the Church property confiscated by
Juarez had not been immediately restored to them, were dissatisfied with
the new government, while the republicans under Juarez refused, of
course, to acknowledge the Empire.
The accusation made by these malcontents that Maximilian did not attempt
to improve conditions was entirely unjustified, however. Few that
followed his career realized how diligently and self-sacrificingly he
labored for that end. That the restoration of order must be gradually
accomplished was self-evident. Realizing that drastic measures were
necessary at many points in the affairs of state, he was forced to take
time for observation and investigation before attempting any change.
Many evils had to be endured temporarily before any radical changes
could be made, and he had also to consult the opinions of his advisers,
whether in accordance with his own or not.
His first attention was devoted to the regulation of military and
financial matters. A commission, headed by General Bazaine,
commander-in-chief of the French troops, was appointed to meet on the
fourteenth of July to consider the reorganization of the army. The
relations between Maximilian and this officer had been none too friendly
from the first. Bazaine considered himself his own master and troubled
himself little as to the Emperor’s views. In justice to Napoleon Third,
however, it must be said that he seems to have been very imperfectly
informed as to the actions and practices of his generals in Mexico. All
correspondence with France had to pass through the hands of Bazaine or
his subordinates, who could easily color reports to suit themselves. On
the fifteenth of July a commission, presided over by Velasquez de Leon,
and consisting of landed proprietors, merchants, manufacturers, and mine
owners, met to discuss the regulation of financial affairs.
From the first Maximilian exerted himself to do away with antiquated
customs, and as early as the sixteenth of July a decree was issued
requiring all officers of justice to be at their posts from nine to
twelve in the morning and shortening their annual leave of absence from
three months to six weeks, an innovation that met with small favor from
the Mexicans, as may be imagined.
On the tenth of August the Emperor set out upon his tour into the
interior, the government during his absence being left in charge of the
Empress. He was accompanied by his life-long friend, Count Bombelles,
his secretary, Iglesias, Privy Councillor Scherzenlechner, and the Lord
Chamberlain Felipe Raygosa. Originally planned for four weeks, the
journey extended over three months. A proclamation had been issued by
Velasquez de Leon, shortly before the Emperor’s departure, announcing
his tour and forbidding any state receptions or entertainments in order
to spare expense to the people, impoverished by years of civil strife.
In spite of this prohibition, however, magnificent triumphal arches were
erected in many places in honor of the Emperor, who was welcomed with
great enthusiasm by the populace, the Indians, in particular, gathering
in crowds everywhere to gaze at their new sovereign.
On the seventeenth of August Maximilian arrived at Querétaro where he
was received with great enthusiasm and remained for several days, being
royally entertained. Little did any of those who joined in the
festivities suspect that in this very town, only three years later, the
Emperor was to lay down his life for Mexico! From there he went on to
Celaya which was reached a week later. In many places through which they
passed evidences were visible of the effects of the famine that existed
in the interior of the country, and where the suffering was greatest
Maximilian distributed considerable sums of money from his own purse. At
Trapuato the Emperor was suddenly seized with an attack of quinsy which
confined him to his bed for two weeks. This delay, together with other
unforeseen occurrences in the capital, obliged him to abandon the rest
of his journey, and the party returned to Mexico, though by a different
route, arriving on the thirtieth of October.
This tour of Maximilian’s had proved a continuous ovation, but how much
of the popular enthusiasm was due to his personality rather than to
allegiance to him as a sovereign is a question. He had shown himself
everywhere most gracious and kindly, granting audiences to persons of
all classes with a fearlessness which, considering the state of the
country, must have commanded the respect even of his enemies. Whether he
allowed himself to be deceived by these demonstrations is uncertain. At
all events he returned well content with the results of his journey and
full of hope for the future. That many of the great changes planned by
him for the benefit of the people were never put into execution was not
altogether his fault. To carry out any thorough system of reform large
sums of money are needed, and the treasury was exhausted.
Maximilian’s first act after his return was to form a ministry. During
his travels he had met many able and patriotic Mexicans who, he fancied,
would be of great assistance to him in his projected reforms, and from
these he chose his ministers exclusively, though doubtless well aware
that in some cases the positions would have been better filled by
Austrians, Belgians, or Frenchmen. When reminded of this by his friends,
however, he would say, “Have patience! When the country learns that
Mexican ministers are good-for-nothing, I may be justified in appointing
others, and my people can then have nothing to reproach me with.” This
was no doubt wise on the Emperor’s part. The appointment of foreigners
would have excited suspicion if not rebellion at once among the
excitable and distrustful Mexicans.
On his tour Maximilian had discovered that the country’s most pressing
need was the revival of commerce. New channels of trade must be created,
and for this purpose the laying out of highways and the building of
bridges was ordered. Robles, minister of public works, was commissioned
to build a railroad between Querétaro and Guanajuato, an undertaking
which was never carried out, however. A railroad from Mexico to Vera
Cruz was also planned, the execution of which was entrusted to an
English company, and three different companies received permission to
run steamship lines between the more important seaports of the country.
To exterminate the robber bands and secure safety for the life and
property of the people, a much needed system of militia was instituted
on the seventh of November, 1864. At the same time the Emperor urged
most strictly upon all magistrates of the various provinces the
following injunctions: preservation of law and order, firm
administration of justice, supervision of the press, construction and
maintenance of roads, extermination of marauders and outlaws,
sanitation, improvements in agriculture and the breeding of cattle,
conservation of forests, etc.
All this proves the loftiness of Maximilian’s aims—nor were his hands
idle as some of his enemies maliciously maintained. Could he but have
had the necessary support and coöperation, conditions in that
unfortunate country must soon have improved. But with only the fickle
and treacherous Mexicans to depend upon, all these reforms were of brief
duration—a mere ripple on the stream.