Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1903-01-28
Minister Bowen Is a Born Diplomat
and by Training and Education
Compelled Success.
SOME INCIDENTS AT BARCELONA
He Was Willing to Alone Defend the
Stars and Stripes Against a
Spanish Mob.

Is doubtful is a man could have been
found better fitted to fll the place OF
miniser to Venezuela in the present
emergency than is the present incum.
bent, Herbert Wolcott Bowen.
BY training, disposition and ex,
perience Mr.. Bowen seems to be the
man to handle a serious and alarming
situation with the proper combination
OF prudence and firmness.
In personal appearance Mr.. Bowen
is impressive. He stands just a trife
six feet in height. carries himself
with ~soldierly erectness, and "a a
heavy grayish mustache. He is n
poet and a fighter; born CT old Ameri.
can stock, he is a trained linguist,
speaking German. French, Italian. and
most important Of all-Spanish. be-
sides his native English Born in New
York he was educated in Germany,
Italy, and France before entering Yale
college and the law school of Colum-
bia university.
He has written a text book on inter.
national law which is standard. and
he has spent the last twelve years in
putting into practice in the diplomatic
service the principles which he theo-
~retically expounded in his book.
Mr.. Bowen is best remembered by
the public for the part he played
while serving as United States consul
general to Barcelona, Spain, just be-
fore the Spanish-American war broke
out. Time and time large mobs OF
enraged Spaniards gathered in the
square before the American consulate
and made violent demonstrations. but
each time they were cowed and held
at bay by the personal bravery Of Mr..
Bowen. The most threatening demon.
stration was participated in by nearly
10000 angry At the time they
gathered about the building Mr.. Cow
en- was in a hotel across the square
eating his luncheon. AS soon as he
noticed the excitement he forced his
way through the crowd and stood with
his back to the door Of the consulate
office. ready to protect 1t at all haz-
ards.
The mob was determined to tear
down and capture the golden shield
and eagle owe the consulates. They
yelled curses against the United
States and its representative, cheered
for Spain and called upon Bowen to
surrender. 1t seemed certain for a
time that the fearless consul general
would be torn to pieces. A few min.
utes after he had turned to face single
handed the raging crowd another man
as tall and as determined as himself,
fought his way through the mob and,
without saying a word, took his place
beside Bowen. The two men did not
speak together as shoulded to shout
der they stood with their backs
against the door.
Pigs OF Yankees" yelled the mob.
Thieves, Dogs. We will cut your
hearts OUT"
Fortunately for the brave pair the
great mob seemed to lack a leader.
Stones and sticks were thrown by the
people in the crowd and the most
bloodthIrsty threats and insults and
threats were hurled at them. but no
one had the courage to lead a direct
attack. For ten minutes the two held
the mob at bag. Then a detachment
OF the Spanish police or garde ceyile
dubbed its way 10 the center and
then dispersed the mob.
who are you" asked Mr.. Bowen OF
the stranger who had come TO his res.
cue and stood side by side with him
while the mob ragged.
II am Norman Harrington OF Chi.
cago," answered the stranger. II
thought there was likely TO be some
trouble for the eagle up there. and |
wanted to have a hand in IT,"
The American consulate In BARGE
Iona was located in a big building.
largely given up TO the Offices OF law.
yers. There is a wide general en-
trance hall. From this hall an i'm.
pressive marble staircase leads up TO
the second floor, from which smaller
s~taircases on either side leads TO the
floors above. General Bowen's office
was located on the third floor.
In accordance with the custom OF
the country all the doors OF the offices
In the building are provided with
heavy bars on the inside. In the zen.
ter Of each door Is a metal slide.
which is used as a peephole by the
people on the inside.
Each time that a mob gathered
about the square and surged into the
Railways Of the building General Bow.
en- aroused establishment by scorning
to bar himself in his room and peer
out in terror through the peephole.
On the other hand. taking the ground