Pres. Porfirio Diaz

There has been much in the Chicago papers recently as to the prominent men who have been invited and are expected to attend a big celebration to be held soon in the Windy City. Among these distinguished personages who have been invited and are expected to honor the occasion with their presence is the president of the neighboring republic of Mexico, Gen. Porfirio Diaz. A beautifully bound and embossed invitation to President Diaz has been prepared and a committee of prominent Chicagoans will convey to him and add their personal invitation. Owing to the practical certainty of his attendance upon the Chicago celebration and his taking an extended trip through the United States, Ann Arbor will make a strong effect to have him stop here as he passes through and pay the University city a brief visit. To this end invitations have been sent him both by the city anthorities and the board of regents urging him to pay Ann Arbor the honor of a visit.

President Diaz is one of the great men of the present time. He is unquestionably the ablest aud most resourceful of the Mexican presidents. The only other, probably, who can be compared with him is President Juarez, who was at the head of Mexican affairs during the time of the French invasion and the empire of Maximillian. Even then Diaz was a prominent man in the affairs of, Mexico. He was the main stay of the republican cause during the latter part of that crucial period of Mexican history and he finally with the compact force of 5,000 men which he commanded turned the tide of invasion. He was twice captured by the French but escaped and continued the fight. Later he was a candidate against Juarez for the presidency but was defeated. In 1877 he was elected to the presidency and he has been president the greater Tart of the time since. The constitution has been amended two or three time to enable him to continue in the presidency. He is a man of iron will and does not hesitate to shed blood if he deems the occasion requires it. By his ability and determination he has brought Mexico from the state of chronic revolution characteristic of the Spanish-American republics to that of a stable and settled government.

Under his direction Mexico has made great progress in every line. Recently the public debt was refunded at 5 per cent interest, an unheard of condition for Mexico. He is a lawyer as well as general and he can shown himself a capable statesman. He has been in the public eye for more than 50 years and is now 69 years old. He has visited this country before, having made an extended trip through the states in 1883. The Argus hopes those having the matter in charge may be successful in securing his presence in Ann Arbor.

Later - The Argus learns that the invitations from the city government and President Angell in behalf of the board of regents have been forwarded to Chicago and that they will be carried by "the committee, which is to leave there on Ang. 5, to the city of Mexico and delivered to President Diaz. The occasion of the Chicago invitation is the laying of the corner stone of the government building and the anmversary of the great Chicago fire Oct. 9. It is designated by act of the legislatnre Chicago Day.