The Washington herald., 1909-01-03
WASHINGTON CHAT.
By THE SPECTATOR.

unpopular American ever stationed there,
Herbert c. Squiers. Just why this diplo-
mat. who is at present IN Panama,
should have been so unacceptable it Is
difficult to determine, for ne comes Of
good people. IS fairly well educated, and
inherited from his first wife a large for
tune, which has enabled him to travel
all over the world. a pastime that in
variably brings culture. One OF his secre-
taries explained mis- lack Of popularity
by the expression. ne feels his oats too
much" II is true that Mr.. Squiers en-
deavOrs TO surround himself with g pOmp
and ceremony very undemocratic, and not
in keeping with the position he occupies;
that he keeps his encourage constantly on
their marrow bones. and conducts his
legation in regular opera bouffe style
An amusing episode Of his service IN
China. when ne acted as secretary 70
Mr. Conger. the American minister, dur
ing THAT terrible time when the legations
were besieged in the foreign compound.
VIII never be forgotten by those con-
cerned in IL. and a story has been passed
around that is not hauerng 20 the Hon.
Herbert Goldsmith SqI!ers- II seems
that Mrs. Squiers. born a Miss Fargo.
had the misfortune 20 offend a petty
officer n the marines. His companions
took hfs grievance very much TO heart
and refused her the salute. which could
not De officially exacted, but was rem
dered through courtesy 70 the wives OF
al the other ministers IN the compound.
Mrs. Squiers resented this bitterly. and
her husband finally made an Official mat
ter OF Il, demanding that the offending
officer and his command should be dis
missed from the legation service. Moth
ing came. however, Of this ridiculous
agitation and the eXigent lady was not
at all unhappy when her husband was
promoted and transferred 20 Cuba, where.
although ne was never officially rated
as such. he became persona non gTata.
because OF his fnsistenCe that a rigid
official etiquette should be observed at
all functions in which lie, the minister.
participated. al a capital where laissez
faire IS the order OF the day
There was nothing done during his
regime 90 cultivate the friendly relations
which is the main excuse for the exist
ence OF diplomats, ana, 5eine, 40 last,
persuaded OF his Unsuccess. Dir SQUiers
resigned not only the post OF Havana,
but from the diplomatic service. He
missed. however. the hrilIiancy OF official
life ani his wife was entirely dissatis-
fed % rank merely as the spouse Of a
private citizen after she had been the
cEa1elaine OF q legation MT. Squiers
therefore. put all the political machinery
at his command 90 work. and finally sue
ceeGe5 in having himself intrustsd with
the mission 20 Panama.
Mr.. Morgan Is q man Of most charming
personality and agreeable presence, and
with a broad education. received at Har-
ward, where he was graduated Win honor
IN lss9. and at Berlin. and as the instrUc-
tJr Of history at Harvard and at Adel-
L1rJ College His diplomatic experience.
too. has given him g fue training and
lie is among the very best timber We have
In The diplomatic service. The post of
the last where he served as secretary OF
lesatioa. consul general and. finally
minister. IS 20 him an open book and HIS
ideas regarding the vital questions there
VIII prove o. great value IN the future
fer he not cnly knows the Orient thor
E---E A-L --e14 rll--.--a-at--. hN NN- Aasla-#r
when connected with the legation In St
Petersburg 90 study the relations Of Rus
sia toward those countries in Asia which
she is slowly but surely absorbing.
Mr.. Aorsan is one ot the most popular
Americans that have been sent 10 Cuba
1 in an Official capacity. uo- excepting Gov.
Nagoon. Who win be truly m0grned by
tie Cuhars when their country can finally
stand On its own legs There is much
sympathy between Gov. Nag0on and Min
/ lister Morgan.
Word comes from Cairo that Walter y.
/ r Berry. who was appointed 10 succeed
I the late Georse Sherman Bachelor. as
Z judge OF the International Tribunal OF
I Egypt has arrived at his post. The body
I OF which Mr.. Berry IS a member exists
( under an agreement made with The
| Khedive in 1916, and is a joint court. COM
/ posed Of the several countries who were
| included in the arrangement The ap-
I pointment IS practically for life. and
( his acceptance Of it means a sevtring OF
( his connections IN Washington. where De
I has been for SO many years a conspicuous
/ figure. both IN social and professional
4 circles So little prospect. indeed. is
/ there OF his returning 10 Washington %
/ reside that bis mother and sister coutem-
I plate closing their home here and Joining
him in Cairo This plan OF Mrs. Berry
viii be received by the old residents Of
/ Washington with incredulity. since IL is
! almost impossible 20 think Of the place
I with the Berry house. which is noted for
/ its generous and elegant hospitality.
/ closed. Mrs. Berry. nearing eighty. IS q
/ grande dame Of The OLD school. as energet-
/ &C. and fun Of life as she was a quarter
Z Of q century ago. but with the death Of
/ Miss Berry. who was far and away the
/ most brilliant woman En- society, a. leader
/ IN the widest sense, the lie has gone out
/ OF the household Her sister Natalie. IS
/ a semi-iuvald. and while she is able 20
/ receive her friends. cannot return their
visits. 81 IS. perhaps. wise therefore that
/ the mother and sister Of the new judge
! should establish themselves in the Egyp-
tian capital. where they car be 2 united
! family. for that Walter Berry is a con-
/ hrmed bachelor everybody admits
New YOrI'S Typhoid Germ Tests.
! From the New York Tribune.