The evening times., 1896-02-05

Edwin F. Uhl, who will be Ambassador
to Berlin To succeed ar. Runyon, is still d
young man in appearance though he is over
fifty years OF age. He i of dIgnfied car
riage and demcanor and the hard work 0r
his official career has not impaired his
vigur.
Mr.. Uhl was born in Ypsilanti, Mich,
and graduated at Ann ArDur University
in 1862. Two years later he was admitted
10 the bar and entered into practice at
Yp>lant!, where he remained until 1876.
The last two years OF his STAY he was
prosecuting attorney for Washtenaw coun-
ty. Removing TO Grand Rapids. MIR. UhI
continued to practice law. and later went
into the banking business. He did not at
Ia in prominence cu tside his State until he
beCaI:ic Assistant Secretary Of State under
Mr.. Gresham. He had taken part in pUliii-
cal campaigns in Michigan. and was active
in the second contest between Gen. HaH
risDu and Mr.. Cleveland.
DECLINED THE PLACE.
When Mr.. Cleveland was inaUguratco
President Il second time. in March, 1898,
Mr.. Uhl came TO Washington to witness
the inaugural ceremonies. and while here the
President and Secretary Lamont urged
him TO accept the position OF Assistant
Secretary OF War. This he declined, it is
said, for the reason that he did not consider
the place OF sufficient dignity.
He was Kept in mind by Mr.. Cleveland
and when Josiah Quincy of Massachusetts
resigned the office of Assistant Secretary
of State, the vacant position was rendered
TO and accepted by HIM. The illness which
Kept Secretary Gresham away from the
STATE Department threw on Mr.. Uni the
burden of conducting diplomatic relations
with foreign governments for q consider
able time.
His most important diplomatic work was
Ill connection with the assault on the Amer
ican steamer Allianca. off Cape MaysL
Cuba last year by a Spanish runboat.
President Cleveland was absent in North
Carolina sounds at the time and Secretary
Gresham WIS considered 10 be too i'll 10
attend TO official business. and upon Mr..
ChI fel! the burden of deciding wha, should
be done
HIS DISPATCH To TAYLOR.
out of his consideration of this affair
came the vigorous dispatch which was
signed by Secretary Gresham and sent to
NJ. Hannis Taylor. United States minister
at Madrid, calling for prompt apology and
redress from the Spanish government
This dispatch was written by Mr.. Uhl with
out consultation with Secretary Gresham,
who was i'll in his apartments in the Ar
lington Hotel. IL was shown to Ar.
Gresham, however, approved by him, and
sent tc Mr.. Taylor over Mr.. Gresham's sig
nature.
Mr.. Uhl conducted much ~ the diplomatic
business Of the United States with reference
to the war between Japan and China, and
was acting Secretary at Jhe time OF the
murder Of two Japanese students by Chinese,
after they had left the refuge afforded by
the consulate general Of the United States
in Shanghai, which was made the subject
Uf inquiry by Congress and resulted in the
transmission Of message and the cores
pondence IN the subject To the National leg
islature.
Mr.. Uhl is thoroughly familiar with the
conduct Of diplomatic business and with the
commercial questions at issue between
Germany and the United States.
He is a man OF means and wei fitted
financially to Keep up the social standing
of the American Embassy III the GermaE
capital.