Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1899-01-04

from Mexico, whittier he had taken her
remains for interment. his friends re-
marked 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 re-
gained his health
Up to this hour no arrangements have
been made for the funeral, but III all
probability it will take place at 1 o'clock
next Sunday afternoon ut ST Mathews
Catholic church. The ambassadors neph-
eW, Jose Romero, is now on his
way from Mexico, having been summoned
when the ambassador was first stricken.
and although it IS not expected that he can
reach here in time for the funeral. in
all probability he will take charge of the
remains when taken to Mexico some time
in the near future.
BY special request of the President and
high officials of the Mexican government
they were kept constantly advised of
Scn0r ROmerO'S condition. and Immediate
~ upon his death this morning, kilograms
announcing the facts were sent.
Senior Romero probably was the best
known member of the diplomatic corps in
Washington and was for some time its
dean.W When Great Britain raised her mis-
sion to an embassy the added rank placed
Sir Julian PauncefOte, the British ambaS-
sadOr. at the head of the corps though
junior in years of service to Senior Ro-
nero, who was raised only recently from
the rank Of minister 10 that of ambassa-
dor, Mexico taking advantage of an act
Of Congress providing that the President
should have power to raise our foreign
ministers to the rank Of ambassadors
whenever a foreign government should
raise the rank of its accredited represen-
tative.
~
and Russia set the example which Mexico
followed, in order to honor the diplomat
who had represented her so ably at Wash
ingtOn for more than twenty years in all
and had served her faithfully and we'll in
other capacities at home.
Sketch of His Life.
American republics and published in its
bulletin for the month of December, 1898,
after revision by Senior Romero himself,
gives the subjoined biographical review of
the dead ambassador:
"SenOr Romero is one Of the most emf
nent statesmen, writers and diplomats of
Mexico. He was born in the city of
Oaxaca, February "a, 1887. He received
his first education in his native place, and
finished it at the capital of the republic,
where he received his diploma as a law
yer. In 1855, he first entered the foreign
office, although still pursuing his legal stud
les In 1857. 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 relations.
'In December 1859, he came to Wash
ingtOn as first secretary of the Mexican
legation, and remained here in that ca
pacity until August, 1860, when, in the
absence of the minister, he became charge
d'affaires He retu. red to Mexico in
1868, to take part in the war against the
French, and was appointed colonel by the
President Gen. Porfro Diaz then ap-
poirtcl him as his chief of staff Soon
after that President .Juarez accredited him
as envoy extraordinary and minister pleni-
potentiary to Washington. He remained
at this post from October, 1868. until Jam
uary, 1868, having rendered most impor-
tant services to his country.
''On his return to Mexico, he was ap-
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 SocOnuscO, devoting
himselr to agricultural pursuits, and from
1877 to 1873 was again secretary of the
treasury In 1880 be served as postmas-
ter-general. In March, 1882, he came
back to Washington as envoy extrao rdi-
nary and minister plenipotentiary, and
has remained in that capacity ever since,
with an interruption of only 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 q most efficient and abic
diplomat His efforts have been most sue
cessful in strengthening the friendly ties
between the two nations, and with this
object in view he has written great
deal. his productions always receiving the
highest encOniums from the press Of the
United States and other countries.
''SenOr Romero was q member of the
international American conference and in
that body served with great distinction,
having been one of its two yice-presi-
dents AS representative of Mexico in
the conference he voted for the tablisn-
ment Of the bureau of American repub-
lies. and ever since its organization has
shown an active. and Jealous interest in
its progress He was member Of the
executive committee of the bureau when