The record-union., 1898-12-31

Before the War Of the Re-
bellion.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 30.-The death
OF Senior Don Matias Romero the Mex
1can ambassador to the United States,
who passed away at 4:10 this morning,
was due to an operation for appendi-
citis performed on Wednesday last. Up
to 1:30 o'clock this morning it was
thought he was in a fair way to re-
cover, but at that time a high fever
set in, and he sank rapidly until his
death. About his bedside were his
sister, Mrs. Garcia, and his aunt; also,
the Secretaries and other attaches of
the Embassy, his physicians and ex-
Secretary and Mrs. John w. Foster.
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. While in Mexico at
that time Mr.. Romero was stricken
with fever, and although he was soon
able to return to the United States, h7
never fully regained his health. Up to
this hour no arrangements have been
made for the funeral, but it is said that
in all probability it will take place at /
o'clock next Sunday afternoon at ST.
Matthews Catholic Church.
The ambassadors nephew, Jose Ro-
nero, is now on his way from Mexico,
having been summoned when the En-
bassador was stricken, and although it
Is not expected that he can reach here
in time for the funeral, he will prob
ably take charge of the remains when
they are sent to Mexico some time in
the near future.
Senor Romero probably was the best
known member of the diplomatic corps
in Washington and was for some time
It's dean. When Great Britain raised her
mission To- an Embassy, the added rank
placed Sir Julian Pauncefote. the Brit
ish ambassador, at the head of the
corps, though a junior in years of SER
vice to Senor Romero, who was raised
only recently from the rank of Minis
ter to that of ambassador. Mexico fol-
lowing the example of Great Britain
Italy, Germany, France and Russia. in
order to honor the diplomat who had
represented her so ably at Wash
1ngton for more than twenty years in
all, and who had served her faithfully
and we'll in other capacities at home.
A sketch prepared by the Bureau of
American Republics and published in
its bulletin for the month of December
1898, gives the subjoined biographical
review of the dead Embassador:
'Senor Romero is one of the most
eminent statesmen, writers and diplo-
mats Of Mexico. He was born in the
city Of Oaxaca, February Ii, 1887. He
received his first education in his ma
tive place and finished it at the Capital
of the republic, where he obtained his
diploma as a lawyer In 1850 he en-
tered the Foreign Office, although still
pursuing his legal studies. In 1857,
when President Comonfort made his
coup d'etat forcing President Juarez
to leave the Capital, Senior Romero ac-
companied the latter to Vera Cruz.
where he continued in the service of
the Department of Foreign Relations.
In December, 1859, he came to Wash
ington as First Secretary Of the Le-
CATION and remained here in that ca
pacity 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 the war
against the French and was appointed
Colonel by the President. General Por-
fireo Diaz then appointed him as chief
of staff. Soon after that President
Juarez accredited him as Envoy Ex-
traordinary and Minister Plenipoten-
tiary to Washington. He remained at
his post from October, 1868, until jan
uary, 1868, having rendered most i'm
portant services to his country.
'On his return to Mexico he was an
pointed Secretary of the Treasury, but
was obliged, on account of ill health.
TO give up that office in 1872. For
three years he remained in Soconuscu.
devoting himself to agricultural pur-
suits, and from 1877 to 1873 he was
again Secretary of the Treasury. In
1880 he served as Postmaster General.
In March, 1882, he came back to wash
ington as Envoy Extraordinary and
Minister Plenipotentiary. and remained
in that capacity afterward. with an in
terruption of only ten months in 1899.
when, for the third time. he was called
to serve as Secretary of the Treasury.
As representative of his country in
the United States, Senor Romero show
ed himself a most efficient and able
diplomat. His efforts were most sue
cessful in strengthening the friendly
ties between the two nations, and with
this object in view he wrote a great
deal, his productions always receiving
the highest encomiums from the press
of the United States and other eoun-
tries.
"Senor Romero was member of the
International American Conference, and
in that body served with great distinc-
ton, having been one of its two Vice
Presidents. As representative of Mexico
in the conference he voted for the es-
tablishment of the Bureau of American
Republics, and ever since its organi-
zation has shown an active and jealous
interest in its progress. He was
member of the executive committee of
the bureau when that body was first
organized, and on every occasion lent
his valuable aid TO the work of the