Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-02-28

tire case to The Hague for arbitration. He
returns to his post as United States minis
ter at Caracas in few weeks with the
satisfaction OF having accomplished all and
more than President Castro hoped for, with
having received the hearty official and per-
sonal approval Of the officials of the Wash
ington government. from the President and
the Secretary Of State down. and with the
public recognition of his own and foreign
countries as an American diplomat of the
school in which honesty and fair play are
the first rules.
A Native Of Brooklyn.
Mr.. Bowen is native of Brooklyn. II. Y,
where his father, MIR. Henry c. Bowen.
the distinguished editor and owner of the
Independent was a resident for many
years. He was born In February, 1855. He
prepared for college at the Brooklyn Poly
technic Institute. After further study In
Europe he entered Yale in the class of '78.
From Yale Mr.. Bowen went to Columbia
University, where he received the degree,
OF LIB cum laude in 1881. He began the
practice of law in New York the same year
and had built up an extensive practice when
he entered the consular service In 1S9e, re-
ceiving the appointment as consul at BARGE
Iona. His career since then has been full
Of stirring incidents ana Of steady promo
ton for merit. President Cleveland made
him consul general to Spain In 1895, and
he was serving in that capacity at the
time OF the war with Spain. He was the
last American to leave the enemy's coun-
try, and calmly stood on the rear platform
of the train putting cigarette and laugh
Ing at the threats Of howling mob OF
dons shortly before was was declared.
A Unique Distinction.
Mr.. Bowen Is perhaps the only officer in
the consular or diplomatic service Of the
United States today who has served In the
four positions of consul. consul general,
minister resident and minister plenipoten-
tfary successfully President Harrison ap-
pointed him to his first post at Barcelona;
President Cleveland retained him In the
service, promoting him to be consul general
to Spain; President Mckinley elevated him
to the rank of minister resident at Teheran,
and later made him minister plenipoten-
tiary and envoy extraordinary at the same
place. The Shah Of Persia showed the
greatest regard and esteem for the young
American diplomat. and upon his departure
for his Caracas post in 1901 conferred on
him the decoration Of the Grand Gordon
Of the Lion and Sun. the most ancient and
honorable order Of Persia. AS further
token of his appreciation for his services
the shah presented him with a massive gold
snuffbox bearing the soveretgn's portrait.
Won Castro's Confidence.
Mr.. Bowen's career in Venezuela has been
marked Dy uHVdTIeu SUCCESS. lOuHu THO
country exceedingly Indifferent, If not pre-
JUDGED. in its attitude to the United States
as the result of several untoward incidents.
Today he is one Of the most popular and
trusted men, native or foreign. In the re-
public. President Castro confers with him
more frequently than he does with his own
minister for foreign affairs.
Indeed, the giant American, who Is all Of
six feet four and built proportionately. won
the presidents admiration in a singular
way. Castro had sent for the minister one
day to ask his advice about an important
matter with his usual frankness Castros
anger was aroused at what Mr.. Bowen
said. and he proceeded to fly into a rage.
Mr.. Bowen, instead of retreating indignant
ly, as many of his diplomatic confreres
had done on previous occasions, stood his
ground and called the president severely to
task for his behavior. Castro's rage was
soon passed, and since that moment he has
trusted and respected the American who
the Venezuelan chief executive himself.
A more painful task than that of openly
differing with President Castro fell to Mr..
Bowen when he came to Washington as
Venezuela's plenipotentiary. When the al
lies endeavored to ignore him and appealed
to the President without Mr.. Bowen's as
sent the minister, with his characteristic
force, though it cost him sincere regret.
declared that as Venezuela's representative
question Of preferential treatment, even by
the President himself The minister's
strenuous position was personally applaud
ed by President Roosevelt. and it's wisdom
has been demonstrated by subsequent
events.