Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1899-01-05

Death Of senior Romero. the Mexican AM
bnssndor. f-

Dussndor.
Washington, Dec. 30. --Scnor Don
Mathis Romero, the Mexican Anbassa-f
dor to tho United States, died at the
Embassy here at A. 10 o'clock this morn
ing. On Wednesday last, an operation
the Ambassador, and although it was
entirely successful. the resulting shock
proved greater than he could bear. Up
to 1.30 O'Clock this morning, however,
it was thought that he was in fair
way to recover, but at that time a
high fever set in, and he sank rapidly
until his death. About his bedside
were his sister, Mrs. Garcia, his aunt,
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 great
shock to tho Ambassador, and, ON his
return from Mexico. Whittier he had
taken her remains for internent, 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, he
never fully regained his health. ~
A 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 adarE
rank placed Sir Julian Paincefote, the
British Ambassador, at tho head Of
the corps, though junior in years of
service to Senor Romero, who was
raised only recently from the rank of
Minister 20 that of Ambassador, Mexico
taking advantage of an act of Con-.
gross providing that the President
should have power TO raise our foreign
Ministers to the rank of Ambassadors
whenever foreign government should
raise tho rank of its accredited ropre-
sentative. Great Britain, Italy, Ger
many, France and Russia SGT the
example, which Mexico followed in
order to honor the diplomat who had
represented her SO ably at Washington
for more than 20 years in all, and had
served her faithfully at home
| Senior Romero was born in tho City
Of Oaxaca on February oath, 1857. lie
received his first education in his
native place, and finished it at the
capital Of the Republic, where he re
ceived his diploma as lawyer. In
1855, he first entered tho Foreign Office,
although still pursuing his legal
studies. In 1857, when President Comon-
fort 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
Relations. In October, 1859, he went
to Washington as first secretary of the
Mexican Legation, and remained there
10 that capacity until August, 1860,
when, in the absence Of the Minister,
he became charge d'affaires. He re-
turned TO Mexico in 1863, to take part
in the war against the French, and was
appointed colonel by the President.
Gen. Porfirio Diaz next appointed him
as his chief of staff Soon after that,
President Juarez accredited him as
Envoy Extraordinary and Minister
Plenipotentiary to Washington. lie
remained at this post from October,
1868, until January, 1868, having rem
dered most important services to his
country. In March, 1882. he returned
to Washington as Envoy Extraordinary
and Minister Plenipotentiary, and re-
NAMED in that capacity ever since,
| with an interruption of only 10 months,
in 1892, when, for the third time, he
was called TO serve as Secretary OF tho
Treasury. Senior Romero was most
efficient diplomat His efforts were
most successful in strengthening the
friendly ties between the two nations.