The Washington times., 1905-08-23
Conger's Resignation
Accepted By President
Ambassador to Mexico, After Rather Stormy
Service, Leaves Public Service to En-
gage in Private Business.

After q remarka BILE career OF Office
holding in county. State. and national
positions. Edwin H Conger, Ambassador
to Mexico. viii on October Is retire from
the diplomatic service. His resigna tion.
forecast for three years past, has been
placed IN the hands of the President.
and accepted.
Ambassador Conger was a soldier in
the civil war. and rose on his merits TO
the rank of brevet major; he has been
successfully county officer in Iowa.
treasurer of State four years. member
of Congress six years. Minister to Brazil
under Mckinley, transferred to the Chi
uese ministry IN 1898, and thence trans
ferred and promoted recently TO the post
of Ambassador to Mexico.
Ambassador Couger's service in China
was not satisfactory in some respects.
either 10 the State Department or 10
the American commercial interests in
China It has always been charged
that he was more deeply concerned in
the furt therance of missionary than COM
mercial matters This. while weakening
him with some potent influences, lined
up for him others that were very power
fuI and active. ana whenever there was
talk of his retirement, the missionary
influences WDQiu proceed ~ SliOhSl ti4F
President with protests.
In Boxer Troubles.
Serving in Pekin during the Boxer
troubles, MIR. Couger acted as agent Of
the American government in the settle
ment with China following that out
break. and here was committed the
series Of indiscretions on which have
been based the charges against his dip
lomatic efficiency
He is said 20 have disagreed sharply
with the State Department, and 10 have
required the most absolute orders 10 in
duce him 10 obey instructions. For these
difficulties the department never forgave
him.
When the transfer was made TO Mex
leo il was distinctly understood that
Il was temporary and would soon be fol-
lowed by retirement from the service.
But Immediately after he left China,
commercial and other troubles broke
out there which have since attained
the most serious proportions and char
acUer; and there has been Il growing
impression that perhaps the former min
lister at Pekln was, after all, right, ana
knew more about handling the Chinese
government and people Than anybody
else who has undertaken il on behalf
Of The American Government.
W hen he came u Washington re
Gently, the belief was general that he
would be sent 10 China as a special
commissioner in the effort to settle the
troubles between the two governments
Farmer and Banker.
a number. of years ago when he was
for d time out OF office MIR. Couger went
into business In Iowa, and farmer
stockman, ana banker, conducted an eX-
tensive business which ended in tinan-
cIal disaster. lie was 4 very heavy loser
and was LETT financially stranded.
Returning TO public service, he secured
his diplomatic appointment, and 1t Is
we'll known In Iowa that he has been
paying his old debts. as fast as possible.
from the salary OF his office He might
have wiped the slate by going through
bankruptcy. but he preferred to pay ev-
ePy dollar in his power, and has been
doing il. As ii result, 1t is understood
that he retires from the public service
still a poor man
II IL believed that Mr.. Conger viii en-
cage in private business N either Brazil
China. or Mexico. in the near future
His experience IN any OF those countries
would make his services valuable, and
y Is known that he has some fattering
ODnOrtuoities along these lines. For
the Immediate future he will make a
visit to his Iowa home. and II Is doubt