The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-02-21

ed postmaster of that city. In 1873 Presi-
dent Grant appointed him minister to Mex
leo; in 1880 President Hayes sent him to
Russia in the same capacity, and in 1888
he was sent to Madrid by President Arthur
He has served the United States on several
special missions abroad. He went to Spain
for President Cleveland in 1885. In 1891
President Harrison selected him to nego-
tiate treaties of reciprocity with Spain,
Germany, San Domingo and other coun-
tries He succeeded James G. Blaine as
secretary of state in the Harrison Cabinet
in 1892.
John w. Foster occupies unique posi-
ton in the field of world diplomacy. He is
probably the best informed man in the
United States, if not In the world upon
the details of the many intricate treaties
which have been made by this country and
other nations affecting boundaries or mat
ters of internal as well external concern
to the governments of the world For the
past fifteen years he has illustrated what
upon lines rarely touched by other cowork-
| ers in the field of law.
Naturally his training as diplomat
turned the attention of General Foster to
| international law and during his life abroad
he devoted a large part of his time to a
study of this engaging topic, and of the
treaties upon which a large part of the
basic principles of international law rest
Retiring from public life for a short time
| previous TO accepting the state portfolio in
| the Harrison Cabinet he took up the sub
| ject of international law as a profession,
| and his knowledge of that great branch of
| diplomacy and letters has made him one
| of the most useful meE in the United
| States.
A DISTINGUISHED DIPLOMAT.
1t is especially with respect to the diplo-
matte history of the United States that
General Foster is pre-eminent. For many
years he has been lecturer on information
| partment before the School of Jurispru-
dence and Diplomacy of the Columbian Uni
versity in Washington. There is probably
no more interesting subject for the Ameri-
| can student than is embraced in General
Fosters discussion of the history of the
| diplomacy of the United States He handles
| the subject in a quaint and original manner,
giving anecdotes and "reminiscences regard
| ing the personal characteristics Of the great
men who have shed luster upon the Amer
lean name in foreign courts as the repre-
sentative of this government in interna-
tional negotiations. Probably no other man
in the country has done as much Gen
eral Foster to bring to the attention of the
American people the renOwn which deserV-
eddy belongs TO such men as Franklin. JEFF
ferson and the two Adamses in the early
diplomatic negotiations of the United
States. Through his close study of the di-
more than century, General Foster has
accumulated varied fund of information
which is not only of absorbing interest TO
the American student, but constitutes at
the same time a valuable contribution 10
a part of American history which is almost
entirely neglected by the historian.
If asked who are the most conservative
but brilliant entertainers of Washington,
one might easily answer, the Hon John w.
Foster and Wife Endowed by many mental
graces, which have been enhanced by travel
and worldly experience. they bring around
them here not only the butterflies of FASH
ion. but the staidest scholars of the coun-
| try as well. There could be no better
treat for politician scientist than few
hours spent with General Foster in his big,
sunny. well-filled library on the third floor
| of his house on Eighteenth street. He is a
| traveller, a student, diplomat and poll
! tician, and for him 10 accept an invitation