Chapter 3.
The annual Mexico city fair was a momentous affair .It was proposed to go on for 45 in March and April 1883 .It featured all the art ,culture and business of Mexico at one place .In theory it was designed to look just like the world fair ,but featuring stuff from Mexican states rather than different countries .
Mayan dances from Yucatan .
Vaqueros from Sonora
Aztec drinks from Central Mexico and technological marvels from Mexico city's forward minded population of course .
In reality ,it was a grand spectacle arranged by President Diaz to highlight two things .
1)The fact that the position of the treasury had improved by leaps and bounds from the previous decade and
2)His own power was paramount and absolute .
Called to the meetings were people of all sorts .European royals ,Mexican politicians ,rich landowners ,investors ,Military officers(Though this lot was secluded from the others) and other VIP's from Europe .Thus for this very reason ,Diaz had also invited men like Cowdray ,Terrazas and William Greene from London ,Chihuahua and Arizona respectively .
By 1883 ,Diaz had made such political moves that he was called a 'Presedential dictator' .He made made the parliament and its power non existant .Thus he made it clear that it was he who ran the country and those who were in his favor profited .
In effect he now ran Mexico like a mob boss who ran his territory with the help of lieutenants and these lieutenants were no necessary military men .They were also business men ,randhers ,plantation owners ,diplomats .
All of them were however racists ,technocratic and forward thinking for their own profits .
They reflected Diaz's larger goal of going to all lengths possible to make Mexico seem open ,prime and good for foreign investment .
And thus these men were dubbed by Mexicans as Científicos .
The meeting that he had planned for them in the makeshift palace right in the middle of the world fair was for hearing their opinions on the decisions that he would take .
Thus........................................................................................................................this was the real parliament .
"Gentlemen ,we are here at the fair for celebrating the success of Mexico ,we all Mexicans should rejoice for it " said Diaz .
Then seeing Greene ,Cowdray and the other foreigners smile falsely he continued "Also our benefactors from all over the world " .
Then questioningly he said "I am planning to institute a better school system in Mexico ,however at the same time ,the workers are demanding some trinket pensions like they hand out in Germany and Britain" .
Taking the cue ,huge voices started ringing out as everyone debated which issue was more important of the two .Among the voices were also members of the Vanderbilt and Rockfeller families .
Then a hand came up .Diaz waved his own hand ."May i speak?" asked the man .
"Yes" said Diaz .
It was Jose Limtour ,a land speculator from Baja California .Some said that not even a lamppost was constructed in Baja California without his approval .Ambitious and powerful ,most of the people in his area in Baja California revered him more than they revered Diaz .It was well known that he had plans to become president one day .But for now ,he was loyal to Diaz .
Then Limantour said "The indijos ,the backward people ,what will you gain by educating them much ,destined to work as labor in the fields anyway ,it would be a waste of money ,instead by promising pensions to those same people ,we can appease them in a minimal price .I mean ,come on gentlemen ,consider it the money that you donate at church .Just a tiny bit of pesos .I mean ,i keep losing coins all the time during my travels ,its that small an amount ......................its a Trinket pension"
"Trinket pension" "Trinket Pension" the words resounded in the hall as everyone present voiced their approval .
In that same meeting Diaz also announced that he was planning a railroad revolution in Mexico ,a mass buildup of railroads that would forever modernize the nation .Contracts he said ,would be handed out soon .
Then with the singing of the Mexican anthem ,the meeting commenced .The man who sung it with the most fervour was William Greene .
After the meeting ,Greene happened to visit the Black building where the military leaders were forced to live in a secluded condition so as to not scare the rich European guests .
The building itself was painted grey and was made of adobe .Inside ,the people were all doing the same thing .Drinking ,gossiping and playing with some woman who Greene suspected had been provided by Diaz himself .
Greene's arrival produced a shock on many of the occupant's faces but nevertheless Greene continued on towards his destination .
Taking the stairs ,he reached the first floor where he went to the third and most lavish room ,marked on it were the words "Nuevo Leon" ,a small flag of Nuevo Leon state had been engraved on the door plate .He gently knocked the door .A man of great stature and military handsomeness greeted him ."Welcome Senior Greene" he said .
"Greetings General Ignacio Sanchez ,i have a small gift for you" said Greene taking out his trunk .
Sanchez peered inside as Greene took out a beautifully engraved key and opened it .Inside was a latest Winchester repeater .But not any ordinary one .Its muzzle had been plastered in pure gold !
Then he handed the Winchester to the general who was thrilled .
"Si ,Thank you senior thank you" said the general like a child who had just been offered a new toy .
"I will never forget this gesture of friendship ,come ,lets drink to our pleasure " he continued .
"Wait up general ,i have another small gift for you " said Greene taking a seat .
From his huge overcoat Greene produced a small packet .
Inside were about 5000 American dollars .
