The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-12-31
SENIOR ROMERO DEAI|
One of the Great Men of the
Sister Republic.
TWENTY YEARS MINISTER
Had an EnviabIe Record as
Patriot and Diplomat.

Washington, Dec so.-senor Don Ma
tias Romero, the Mexican ambassador to
the United States, died al the embassy
| here at 4:1O o'clock this morning. On
Wednesday last, ssoDperation for appendi-
citis was performed upon the ambassa-
dor and although the operation was en-
tirely successful, the resulting shock
proved greater than ne could bear Up
il was thought that he was inetaoinr
to 1:S0 O'Clock this morning, however, 1t
was thought that he was in a fair way
TO recovery but at that time high fever
set in and he sank rapidly until his death.
About his bedside were his sister, Mrs.
Garcia, and his aunt, the secretaries and
other attaches of the embassy, his ply
sicians and ex-Secretary and Mrs. John
w. Foster. The death OF Mrs. Romero,
which occurred some months ago, was a
great shock 10 the ambassador and on his
return from Mexico, whittier ne had taken
her remains for interment, his friends re-
marked that he was greatly broken and
showed unmistakable signs Of falling
health. While in Mexico, Mr.. Romero
was stricken with fever and although he
was soon able TO return 20 the United
States, he never fully regained his 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
ho Of "a
though a Junior IN years OF service, TO
Senior Romero. who was raised only re-
Gently from the rank of minister to that
of ambassador, Mexico taking advantage
of an act of congress providing that the
president should Asve power TO raise our
foreign ministers to the rank of ambassa-
dor whenever foreign government should
raise the rank of it's accredited represent
alive. Great Britain, Italy, Germany,
France and Russia set the example. which
Mexico followed in order 10 honor the
diplomat who had represented her so ably
at Washington for more than twenty years
and had served her faithfully and well in
other capacities at home.
He was born in the city of Oaxaca, Feb
ruary "a 1897. He received his first educa-
ton in his native state, and finished it at
the capital Of the republic, where he re-
ceived his diploma as a lawyer. In 1885,
he first entered the foreign office although
still pursuing his legal studies. In 1891,
when President Comonfort 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 foreign
raIo In he fO
Washington as rst secretary of the Mex
lean legation and 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 the war against the
French, and was appointed colonel by the
president. General Porfirio Diaz then ap-
pointed him as chief of staff. Soon after
that, President Juarez accredited him as
envay extraordinary and minister pleni-
potentlary to Washington. He remained
at this post from October, 1868. until jan
uary 1. 1868. having rendered most i'm
portant services ohis country.
On his return to Mexico. he was ap-
pointed secretary of the treasury. but
was obliged, on account of i'll health, 10
give UP the office in 1872. For three
years he remained in Soconusoco, de-
voting himself to agricultural pursuits,
and from 1877 to SIS was again secre-
tary OF the treasury. In 1850, he served
as postmaster general. In March. 1892.
he came back to Washington as envoy
extraordinary and minister plenipoten-
tary, and has remained in that capacity
with an interruption OF ten months. in
1892, when for the third time. he was
called to serve as secretary of the treas
ury.
As representative OF his country in the
United States, Senior Romero has shown
himself most efficient and able diplomat |
His efforts have been most successful in /
Strengthening the friendly ties between |
the two nations, and with this object in !
view. he has written a great deal. HE |
productions always receiving the highest |
from the press OF the United |
States and other countries.
Senior Romero was a member OF the !
American conference. and in /
that body served with great distinction. |
having been one of It's two vice preei- 1
dents. As representative Of Mexico in the 4
conference he voted for the establishment 1
of the Bureau OF American Republics and /
ever since its organization has shown an 4
active and jealous part interest in lie 1
progress. He was a member Of the exec /
ltive committee OF the bureau when that 4
body was rst organized. and on every oc-
,asion has lent his valuable aid 70 the !
work OF the International union OF Ameri-
ian republics.
This sketch necessarily fails 70 90 jus
ice to the life work N behalf u ms coun-
.ry performed BY the dead man. He had
seen his native country steadily rise from
nation Of revolutions and disorder 20 an
honorable position among nations IS A
progressive. stable and prosperous repub~
ic. II much Of this he had share. He
Kept in touch with affairs throughout Mex
cos domains and, recognizing the fact
hat it was OF vital Importance 20 the na-
ion that It's resources and credit should
rot suffer because Of fear on the part