Los Angeles herald., 1907-05-19

ing suspense. All the world recognized
the fact that the representative of the
United States served with great dis
tinction and most capably. He not
only managed every American interest
satisfactorily, but by taking a leading
part, and by his courage, tact and skill,
did more than any other one person
in defending the legations until rescue
came.
And he was one of the few minis
ters of foreign countries remaining at
his post until the signing of the for
NAL joint note and the peace settle
ment with China. Throughout, his
judgment was effective and his influ-
ence potent. He was, logically the
head of the commission which negoti-
ated and signed the treaty with China
at Shanghai, October s, 1908. This in
strument made his country's influence
salutary during the Russo-Japanese
war.
Favored the Open Door
Mr.. Conger was the ardent and sue
cessful representative of the open-door
policy of Secretary Hay, and he helped
to establish it in the orient. His
whole career in China was strongly
American, and yet it was entirely ac-
ceptable to the government and people
of China. This was shown when he
took his departure from the country.
Highest honors and decorations were
literally shoWered upon him.
President Roosevelt promoted Mr..
Conger in June, 1905, to the ambassa-
dorship at Mexico, the highest rank in
the country's diplomatic service. He
was most cordially accepted by that
country, but in few months after
moving thither, for family reasons, be-
cause of his failing health, and with
the feeling that he had already served
his country faithfully, he resigned. The
presidents letter regretfully accepting
the resignation, is a fitting tribute to
Mr.. Conger's worth and devotion to
his country.
After returning from Mexico Mr..
Conger visited among old acquaintance
in Iowa, and there the fatal disease
was making fatal encroachments upon
his constitution, but he yet did not re-
gard the symptoms seriously A little
later he visited his daughter at AS
and thence went to San Fran
cisco, where the army surgeons at the
Presidio insisted upon doing something
for him. He stood with herosm the
extreme painfulness attendant upon
their examinations and at the end |
merely remarked that the treatment |
was good deal worse than the disease. |
From that time on the decline of health |
and strength was, though slow, with |
Dut interruption, and death was the |
Inevitable, and to him, not unwelcome,
md of long and painful illness.
Devout Christian
Mr.. Conger was ever a constant, con-
istent, practical Christian, devoted to
He took a great inter-
st in the moral and educational work
,eing done by the missions in China,
irving them sound and practical ad-
ice, personal aid and encouragement,
nd most generous official support and
The brothers and sisters who sur
i've him are Rev. DR.. E. L. Conger
astor emeritus of the Universalist
hurch, who has resided in Pasadena
d. twenty years. and whose home is on
outh Orange Grove avenue: Frank,
Benton Harbor, Mich; Mrs. Alta
for many years connected
18th the botanical department of the
gricultural department, Washington;
larry, wife of Lieut.. Col. E. A. Ed
-aris, retired, of the Twenty-fifth in
lntry, and who is now military in
-ructor of the agricultural college of
-ew Mexico, and John Conger, who
esides in the City of Mexico.