The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-12-31
DEATH OF SENIOR ROMERO.
N AMBASSADOR FROM MEXICO EN-
PIRES IN WASHINGTON.

WAsHfNaToN, Dec. 30.-Sehor Don Matlas
Romero. Mexican Ambassador to tho United
States, died this morning az the Embassy In
this city from the effects OF an operation per-
formed for appendicitis, Senior Romero seemed
to rally from the effects OF the operation. but at
10 O'Clock last night his fever returned, he
sank into Inconsistencies and at 4:lO
breathed his last. He was surrounded by the
members and attach6 s OF the Embassy and tho
Hon. and Mrs. John w. Foster. for many years
the intimate friends and next door neigh
bors OF the dead diplomat and Mrs. Romero.
Their acquaintance began with Mr.. Fosters
entrance into public life as Minister to Mexico.
nearly thirty years ago. and since Senior Ro-
mero's return TO the United States In 1882
their relations have been most intimate. Nine.
Romero died last summer. having been an in
valid for two years. Her husband returned to
Washington a few weeks ago from the City OF
Mexico, where he went TO carry her body for
interment. He will be buried beside her,
Senior Romero brought with him his sister.
Sonora Garcia. to preside over his household.
but she IL i'll with the grip and was not present
when he died.
While In Mexico this fall the Government no.
tilted Senior Romero OF its intention TO raise
the mission here to an Embassy and he came
on to prepare for the change In the grade Of his
station. Arrangements had Just been COM
pleted for his reception by President Mckinley
next Tuesday.
Senior Romero was one of the best known and
most popular residents of Washington. and the
| announcement OF his death carried sorrow
| wherever 1t went. 1t was feared for a time that
| the event would neeessitate an abandonment
Of the New Years programme at the White
House and of the usual diplomatic breakfast at
the home Of the Secretary OF State. but after
consultation by Secretary Hay with the Ambas-
| .alnrs In t,u,n ~ u.aa 1aoiIa6 that no tho fnna-
raj will take place on Sunday, there was no rea-
| son for permitting the sad event to interfere
| with Mondays observances.
Senior Romero's services to his own country,
and to the United States as well. in the posi-
ton he SO long occupied, were Of inestimable
benefit and value. The constantly recurring
border troubles occasioned great concern to
the Governments of both countries, and Senior
Romero, by his prudence and intimate knowl-
edge OF the American system OF government.
was enabled to promote and maintain peace at
times in which. had q less skilful man been in
his place. serious results might have followed.
The Secretary Of State has sent this tele-
gram to Gen. Powell Clayton, United States
Minister to Mexico. in reference to the death of
Minister Romero:
Express to President and Government Of
Mexico the deep sorrow and sincere condol-
ences Of the President and Government OF the
United States by reason of the death Of the
honored representative Of the sister republic.
Long known to us and esteemed in the highest
degree for his sterling qualities and, personal
endowments. Senior Romero's death at this
ness had been deseryedly conferred upon him.
is especially lamented.. The President and
Cabinet will attend the funeral"
Sehor Matias Romero served his country as
Minister to the United States for more than
sEsaeg years years. Il was born S9rn in oa2aca. Mesi
leo. Feb. -. 1887. and studied first in his ma
cal and Theoreticai Law In the Sity Of Mexico.
He was admitted TO the bar in 1857. and In the
revolution Of that year was made the private
1850 he was sent to Washington as Secretary
OF the Mexican Legation, and was, s9bss-
stan of his college friend. Gen. Portirie Diaz.
power, in Mexico, He was employed upon
several military missions Of a d%iplomatie
Washington as Minister. This place he held
until July. 1858. and during the five years ne
nf fEesiaent 5 fegesal gave imsR Rfm The eE Tseasiry port
folio. Five. years later. his health failing. he
retired to the Socouusco district and engaged
member OF Congress. In 1876 he was a mem
Der OF the Senate, and on the election Of Gen.
in the Treasury Department. He was ap-
pointed Postmaster-General In 1880. but on
came interested In the Mexican Southern
Railway Company, and accompanied Gen. |
Grant on his tour Of inspection through Mex
leo. From May. 1881. until February. 1882. |
he was the company's general superintend-
ent.
During President Garneld's Administration
the question Of the boundary between this
country and MeYicU became q matter Of public
consideration and Se1or Romero was again
sent to Washington as Minister. This Diff
Guilty, as well as the question of the Mexican
Guatemalan boundary. was adjusted by him,
and a treaty OF reciprocity between this coun-
try and Mexico was signed. He resigned his
post on the expiration of-PrNsident Gonzales's
served until his death. Last month the Lega-
ton was raised to the grade of an Embassy.
and next Tuesday had been fixed as the day
when Minister Romero was to present his Gre
dentials to the President as. Ambassador.
Senior Romero's wife. who died not long ago.
was a Washington woman. and their home
near Franklin Park was q social centre.
Senior Romero published more than fifty
Volumes. chiefly official reports. Among the
more important are Circulars aud Other Pub
locations Made by the Mexican Legation at
Washington During the French Intervention"
1897 q vols. Mexico. 1858: Coffee Culture
on the Southern Coast Of Chiapas" 1873: Cor
respondence of the Mexican Legation at Wash
ingtUn During the French Intervention" %
vols. lS7O-S5l; Historical Sketch of the An
n%exation of Chiapas and Soconusco to Mexico"
OSLO. and The State Of Oaxaca" Barce-
the first Volume OF a valuable work from his
pen appeared. entitled Mexico and the United
States" "A study of subjects affecting their po-
litirnl commercial and social relations