The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-12-31
Death of Ambassador Romero, Pat
riot, Diplomat, and Statesman.
FAMOUS AT WASHINGTON
IN THE DIPLOMATIC SERVICE
FOR MANY YEARS.
Also Performed an Important Part
In Placing the Republic Upon a
Stable Basis-Married a Washing
ton Woman and Their Home Was
a Social Center.

Washington, Dec. 3O.-Senor Don
Mates Romero, the Mexican ambassa-
dor to the United States, died at the
embassy here at 4:1O o'clock this norm
ing. On Wednesday last an operation
for appendicitis was performed upon
the ambassador and although the OPP
Grafton vas entirely successful, the re-
sulting shock proved greater han he
could bear. Up to 100 o'clock this
morning, however, it was thought he
vas in a fair way TO recover, but at
thai time a high fever set in and he
sank rapidly until his death.
The death of Mrs. Romero, which oc-
CURED some months ago, was a great
shock to the ambassador, and on his
return from Mexico, whittier he had
taken her remains for interment, his
friends remarked that he was greatly
broken and showed unmistakable signs
of failing health.
Senior Romero probably was the best
known member of the diplomatic corps
in Washington and was for some time
its dean. When Great Britain raised
her mission to an embassy the added
rank placed Sir Julian Pauncefote, the
British ambassador, at the head of the
CORPS, though a Junior in years of ser
vice to Senior Romero, who was raised
UiilN ISC6Jllly lIOII the IdIik VI LiIlllSlGI
to that of ambassador.
A sketch prepared by the bureau OF
American republics and published in its
bulletin for the month of December,
1898, after revision by Senior Romero
himself, gives the subjoined %biograph-
zeal review of the dead ambassador:
"Senor Romero is L Of the most
eminent statesmen, writers and diplO-
mats of Mexico. He was born in the
it, - Nax-o.o nh 81 1907 TIA "a
ceived his first education in his native
place and finished it at the capitol of
the republic, where he received his dip
Iona as a lawyer. In 1855 he entered
the foreign office, although still pursu-
ing his legal studies. In 1857, when
President COmonfOTt made his coup
d'etat, forcing President Juarez to leave
the capital, Senior Romero accompanied
him to Vera Cruz, where he continued
in the service of the department of for
eign relations. In December, 1859, he
came to Washington as first secretary
of the Mexican legation n remained
here in that capacity until August, 1860.
when, in the absence of the minister, he
became charge d'affaireS. He returned
to Mexico in 1863 to take part in tbs
war against the French and was APP
pointed colonel by the president. Gen
eral Porfiro DiaZ then appointed him as
OlLlGl VI lo4L 0CC4 tLNCA AAiAI L 49,
lent Juarez accredited him as envoy
extraordinary and minister plenipoten-
tiary to Washington. He remained at
this post from October, 1863, until jan
uary, 1868, having rendered most i'm
portant services to his country.
"On his return to Mexico he was APP
pointed secretary of the treasury, but
was obliged, on account of i'll health, to
give up thai Office in 1872. For three
years he remained in S~oconusio, devot-
ing himself to agricultural pursuits, and
from 1877 to 1878 was again secretary
of the treasury. In 1880 he served as
postmaster general. In March, 1882, he
came back to Washington as envoy eX-
traordinary and minister p%lenipoten-
tiary and has remained in that apac-
ity ever since, with an Interruption Of
only ten months in 1892. AS represent
tative of his country in the United
States, Senior Romero has shown him
self Il most efficient and able diplomat.
Senior Romero married a Washington
woman many years ago, and their home
on [ street, off Franklin park, was Il
social center, and the scene each season
of brilliant society functions. a large
part of resident as we'll as of Official
society always attended these affairs,