Evening star., 1899-04-06
American representatives at the Dis
armament Congress.
AN EXCEPTIONALLY SfRONG BODY
Public Services of Those Selected
for the Purpose.
SKETCH OF THEIR CAREERS

The Secretary of State today announced
the names of the persons sefectedsto repre-
sent the United States at the czar's dis
armament conference. to be held at The
Hague in the latter part Of May They are
Andrew d. White United States ambassa-
dor TO Berlin: Stanford Newell. United
States minister to The Hague; Seth Low,
president of Columbia University, New
York; Capt. William Crozier. United States
ordnance department; Capt. A T. Mahan
United States navy, retired; Frederick Hollis
of New York. secretary.
The American commission as a whole Is
regarded as an exceptionally strong body,
being made up of men well known not oniy
in public anu political life but in the world
of letters and international affairs. They
are ell men of scholarship. fine linguists, ana
those attainnlents helpful in congress rep
Iesenting the nations OF the world conduct
ed under the diplomatic usage. which makes
French the accepted language.
Ambassador whites Career.
DIR. Whites service has been varied, but
he is best known In the fields of education
and of diplomacy. After graduating at
Yale. class of '53. he went to Europe for
several years of historical study, mainly at
Berlin and Paris, afterward travelling on
foot through Europe. For time he was
an attache of the United States legation at
st. Petersburg. Returning to this country,
he began his university career by accept
ing the profesSOrship Of English literature
at the University of Michigan. Then he re-
turned to New York state and entered the
state senate. one OF the measures he III
tToduced was for the Incorporation of Cor
nell University, and later ne became the
first president OF Cornell, mis- service con-
tinuing from 1861 to 1SSI when he retired
through ul-health. His university pres
idency Was marked by strong executive
ability. which brought Cornell to the front
rank of American seats of learning, and
his substantial interest in the university
was shown by personal contribution of
100000 and many volumes To the library.
Mr.. White was United States commission
er to San Domingo in 1877 From ~ TO 81
be was United States minister to Germany,
again taking this important post under
President Mckinley. During the admins
tIation of Mr.. Cleveland Mr.. White was
chosen one of the Venezuelan commission
ers, at tine time wheE the affair was al its
most critical sage To these services Mr..
White brought marked ability, learning,
breadth of thought and tact in dealing
with men of affairs.
President Seth Low.
Seth Low also is known as an educator
as Well as a man of public affairs. He was
graduated q Columbia University, and he
Is closely identified with that institution,
becoming its president in lS90 and later
giving S1.UVu.U3o for university buildings
He was mayor of Brooklyn in 1881. and
again in 1>StI, his service being marked by
numerous reforms, including the lntrOduc
tiOn Of a civil service system in municipal
affairs. In 1891 he candidate for
mayor Of Greater New York.
Minister Newell.
Stanford Newell was appointed minister
10 The Hague from Minnesota His selec-
ton as ore of the delegates was expect ed
because ne was m mister resident at the
city where the congress is to be Esld. Sir.
Newell is d lawyer of repute and had long
practice IN St Paul, where he was more Of
a counsellor rh4n trial lawyer Although
he has been active in politics, he never
held puoic Office until he was appointed
minister to tHe Netherlands by President
Mckinley. He has been chairman of the
republican st-te committee, and was al
ways popular With the republicans of the
sIate. Always regar7--t -as lesel-headed.
far-seeinE man, his advice was SooSnt in
all difficult sitUatiOIS 5. His choice for the
position he now holds upon The almost
unanimous request of the republicans of
Minnesota, VINO desired that his unseltish
devotion TO the party should be recognized.
Mr. Newell had many warm friends out
side of his state, ana WIS well known in
eastern business circles and among public
men throughout the country.
Capt. Crozier.
Capt William Crozier is one of the most
highly accomplished officers of the ord
nance corps. which Is generally recognized
as containing the very highest grade of tall
ent in the United States army. the person
mel being made up Of the most advanced
graduates from the United States Military
Academy.
He was born in Ohio. ana appointed to
the Military Acs iemy from Kansas. His
father was the late Judge CroZier. at one
time United States senator from Kansas
William CrOZier graduated from the Mill
tary Academy June 10 1876 and entered
the artillery arm of the military service
In 1881 he transferred TO the ordnance
department. To which he has been attached
ever since. Capt. Crozier is one of the most
expert ordnance officers in the United States
service. combining thorough mastery of
the theoretical branches Of construction
with great natural inventive talent. In con-
junction with Gen. Burlington. the newly
appointed chief Of the ordnance depart
ment, he invented the disappearing gun
carriage. which mas been adopted by the
United States government as the highest
type Of coast defense weapon.
Gen Burlington and Capt. Crozier gener-
Ously bestowed upon the United States gov
eminent all Of the patent rights they had
acquired in this powerful weapon OF war
fare, and perhaps ii was the spirit of dis
interest eJness thus exhibited that led the
President 10 name Gen. Burlington as chief
ordnance, well as 10 select Capt.
Crozier as a member of this distinguished
delegation
Capt. A. Il. Mahan.
No name is better known to students of
naval strategy than that of Capt. Alfred
T. Mahan. sailor. slrategist and author.
Capt. Mahan was born in New York and
United States navy in September. 1856. He
became a full midshipman June . 1859. He
reached the grade OF lieutenant at the out
break of the civil war, in 1851, became a
lieutenant commander in 1865 a commander
3R 1877 and captain, November /, 1886.
His last command that OF the Chicago,
then the European station. and he re-
tired on his application in order to
pursue the literary work which has made
him famous.
His most important contribution to liter
ature was The Influence of Sea Power
Upon History, and this was followed by
number Of monographs and magazine ar
ticles which have kept the officer in the
public eye during recent years. When it
was realized that war with Spain was iil-
eyifable Secretary Long cabied promptly
TO Captain Mahan, then in Rome summon
ing him to Washington. Here he took his
place as a member of the famous naval
war board. known during its existence as
the strategy board. which planned so sue
Cessfully the program of campaigns which
resulted in such brilliant victories for the
Araa I