No. 208.
Mr. Foster
to Mr. Fish.
Mexico , November 17, 1876. (Received December 14.)
Sir: Under date of the 11th instant, in my No. 457, I gave an account of events preceding and attending the action of the Hon. José M. Igiesias, president of the supreme court and ex officio Vice-President of the republic, in pronouncing against the legality of the government of President Lerdo, and his movement to establish a provisional and opposition government at Guanajuato.
These events created quite a panic in this city, and for a time it was generally believed that the government of Mr. Lerdo would have to succumb, at an early day, before the new movement. The situation appeared so threatening that there is reason to believe that certain members of the cabinet of the administration seriously contemplated the contingency of the abandonment of the capital.
But the condition of affairs has very much improved for the government during the past few days, and a greater degree of confidence prevails as to its ability to maintain itself. The movement of Mr. Igiesias has not been seconded by any of the States except Guanajuato and Querétaro, and thus far comparatively few of the officers or soldiers of the federal army have proven unfaithful. The revolutionists who had occupied the important railroad point of Apizaco, at the approach of a government force abandoned the place without any resistance and withdrew to the mountains. Quer6taro, which bad been occupied by the Igiesias forces, has also been abandoned under similar circumstances. An important engagement is daily anticipated between the government and Iglesias’s forces, the result of which may materially change the present aspect of affairs. But, under any circumstances, an early termination of the present unfortunate struggle can hardly be anticipated. Even should Mr. Lerdo be driven from the seat of government by the unfavorable result of military movements, which is hardly to be expected, neither he nor his friends will be likely to abandon the struggle, as it is insisted by them that he only represents the legitimate government of the country, and that he cannot consistently and with honor retire from his post, or omit any possible effort to continue the constitutional order of the government.
No public or authorized announcement has been made as to an arrangement between Diaz and Igiesias, the leaders of the two separate revolutionary movements, although it is claimed that such is the case, which is quite probable. Such an arrangement will most likely contain a provision for the recognition of Igiesias as the provisional president and Diaz as the military leader of the revolution, the result of which would lead, in the event of the triumph of the movement, to Diaz’s ultimate succession to the presidency, and the complete control of the government by his adherents.
Communication with Vera Cruz by railroad continues suspended, and the mails are slow and unsafe. I therefore send this, as the former dispatch, by private messenger.
I am, &c.,