Past presidential visits: William Howard Taft in 1909

Oct. 17, 1909

In half an hour after the withdrawal of President Diaz, President Taft started on his way to his memorable visit to the president of Mexico.

As he left the custom house cheers arose which continued as his conveyance moved along San Francisco street.

Far down El Paso street was the waving mass of humanity proclaiming his name and cheering loudly. As the president's carriage neared the position occupied by the Mexican socities there was a tumult of applause, cheers and cries of "Viva Taft! Viva Taft!"

The president smiled, smiled again and kept smiling as he continued to bow to the native born and naturalized citizens of the united States, who were both eager to show their patriotism for their country.

The presidential party turned on Fifth street, following the same route as that taken by President Diaz upon his return to Mexico.

Through the Neutral Zone

Arriving at the border of El Chamizal zone the president of the United States and members of the American presidential party passed along South Santa Fe street to the bridge between a double file of Mexican infantry, the soldiers standing at present arms.

The escort of the through the disputed territory, numbered 10 officers of the United States army and 10 picked men in addition to his personal escort.

Thus with United States troops in the zone when it was traversed by President Diaz and with Mexican infantry in the territory when it was crossed by President Taft. El Chamizal was observed as neutral territory.

Taft Welcomed in Mexico

Crossing the Rio Grande and the boundary over the Santa Fe street bridge, President Taft was met at the customs inspector's office, which had been elaborately decorated for the occasion, by Gen. Gonzalez Cosio, minister of war, Brig. Gen. Ruiz, Governor Enrique C. Creel of Chihuahua and Mayor Felix Barcenas of Juarez.

As President Taft descended from his conveyance and entered the state carriage of President Diaz, the Mexican artillery saluted him with 21 guns.

The police and military bands of Mexico headed the escort from the border down Juarez avenue to Comercio street and then to the temporary capital of the Mexican republic in the customs house.

Taft Meets Diaz

Here President Taft was greeted by Governor Pablo Escandon, chief of President Diaz's staff, and was conducted to the presence of the president of Mexico, who awaited him in the reception hall, at the right of the main entrance of the federal building.

Taft in Mexico

At 12:25 o'clock, President Taft crossed the bridge and left the United States territory, leaving for the Mexican custom house at 12:30. Seven minutes later President Taft was escorted into the presence of Gen. Diaz.

Introductions were again made and there was an exchange of pleasantries. The ceremonies were comparatively brief. President Taft starting back to the United States in a short time.

The Juarez Meeting

At the meeting in Juarez the ceremonies were as interesting as those in El Paso.

Those present at the interview were Governor Creel f the state of Chihuahua (formerly ambassador to the United states); Gen. Manuel Gonzalez Cosio, minister of war; Hon. Olegrio Molina, minister fomento (industry, colonization, mines and agriculture); Col. Pablos Escandon, chief of the military staff of President Diaz; and Ignacio de la Barra.

President Taft was accompanied by Hon. J.M. Dickinson, secretary of war; Hon. Frank H. Hitchcock, postmaster general; the governor of Texas and other state officials; Capt. Archibald W. Butt, the president's military aide; John hays Hammond; Dr. J.J. Richardson, and Wendell Mischler and Charles C. Wagner, the president's assistant secretaries.

What Was Said

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 guarantee of the continuance of the friendly, cordial and strong relations between the people 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 Untied States has stepped beyond the border of the United States, either on the north or to the south, and I esteem it a great privilege to be the president at the time when that event happened. I hope that it is significant of the tightening of the bond between the two counties. 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 today 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.

President Taft: I think your excellency was good enough to let me present the gentlemen who accompany me on the other side, so that I will not go through that ceremony again.

(President Diaz presented to President Taft his one, Lieut. Col. Porfirio Diaz, Jr., of the Mexican army; also the nephew of President Diaz, Gen. Felix Diaz, chief inspector of the Mexican police.)

President's Photographed

After a private conference in the customs house, the two presidents stepped in front of the building under the scarlet canopy and accompanied by the presidents body guard, President Diaz posed for a picture. In spite of Mr. Taft's on the side of honor, the picture being taken in his country, President Diaz would not comply with the request and Mr. Taft was occupying the right side.

When President Taft arrived in Juarez he was received royally by the entire population and the crowds were handled easily every one doing his utmost to make the reception a complete success. The school children were singing our national hymn when the president made his way up Avenida Juarez and upon his arrival at the customs house the Mexican hands were playing America.

The same escort which conducted him from the border returned with him to the bridge, the Mexican batteries firing a salute as he left the Mexican republic.

At the border, President Taft was greeted by the cavalry escort and conducted to Seventh street, where the military and civic organization awaited his arrival for the big parade to Cleveland square.