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reinforcements and superseded Lorencez.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.
[Illustration: GENERAL DIAZ AND PRESIDENT TAFT.]
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.
[Illustration: STATUE OF COLUMBUS.]
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.
[Illustration: THE POST OFFICE.]
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.
[Illustration: POST OFFICE, WEST CORRIDOR.]
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.
[Illustration: NATIONAL LIBRARY.]
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.
[Illustration: HISTORICAL CORNER IN MEXICO CITY.]
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.
[Illustration: A PART OF THE OLD AQUEDUCT OF CHAPULTEPEC.]
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.
[Illustration: A COUNTRY ROAD IN PUEBLA, SHOWING
POPOCATEPETL.]
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.
[Illustration: PRIVATE LIBRARY OF ONE OF MEXICO’S PROMINENT
LAWYERS]
[Illustration: CASTLE OF CHAPULTEPEC.]
[Illustration: SCENE FROM THE PROCESSION OF THE 16TH OF
SEPTEMBER.]