The Washington herald., 1909-07-26
NOTED AS DIPLOMAT
Spain Sends to Washington
Marquis de VillalObar.
WILL ASSUME DUTIES AT ONCE
Scion OF Ancient Family Has Had
Distinguished Career Among the
Courts of EurOpe-DecOrated with
Many Orders-StntiOned Mt Wash
inEtOn Twenty Years Ago.

II is the desire OF my sovereign, the
King Of Spain. and also that OF the
Spanish people. that the friendly rela-
tions existing between the United States
and Spain be still more strengthened and
that both countries be brought into stnl
closer bonds OF friendship with each
other" said Don Rodrigo Savedra Y Vim
cent. Marquis de vinalobar. the new
Spanish minister. who arrived at the
Arlington Saturday evening.
Il am glad 20 be back in Washington
and in the United States, where have
many friends. whom I shall be so glad
TO see again. You know I was here
about twenty years ago as an attache Of
the Spanish legation. he added
Marquis de Villalobar. who IN a few
days will move into the Spanish en-
bassy at 1921 New Hampshire avenue. on
his arrival was met at Union Station by
Don Luis Pastor. the first secretary or
the Spanish legation. who escorted him
10 the Arlington. II IS expected that
some time this week the marquis will be
received by President Taft and Secretary
Knox
Resembles Roosevelt.
spain's new diplomatic representative
Is bachelor: IS five feet eight inches in
height, and has dark eyes. He wears a
small mustache. and has the typical
Spanish dark hair and complexion. He
is a brilliant conversauopalist. and has
what might be styled a Spanish re-
semblance 10 former President Roose-
velt so far as HIS facial expression is
concerned.
The marquis Is the scion Of an ancient
! and famous family. lie was born at Ma
drid January 4. 1864, and began his diplo-
matte career as a student attache in the
office Of foreign affairs in Madrid. where
he served from 1856 10 1880 In 1880 he
came 10 this city as civil attache OF the
Spanish Legation and served here in that
capacity until 1895. While IN this city
ne succeeded in making himself very
popular with the members Of the diplo-
matte corps. and became a favorite with
Washington society.
The noble Spaniard IS an accomplished
linguist, and when the Duke OF Veragua
visited this country as nneal descendant
Of Columbus during the Chicago Worlds
Fair IN 1888 Marquis EiualObar was de-
tailed 10 attend him IN person. at the
same time serving as one Of the commits
sioners OF Spain TO the exposition.
Intimate of King Edward.
BE became second secretary OF the
Spanish Embassy IN Paris In 1886. and
served there until 1901. when he took the
position Of first secretary OF the embassy
at London, where he became a close
friend OF King Edward and was a prorni-
nent social factor at Buckingham Palace
and at the English court
In 1901 he was promoted 20 the post of
Minister Resident TO Great Britain. in
. 1897, during Queen Victoria's diamond 5u-
biiee. Marquis de VillalObar was decorated
with the Order OF Victoria rare and
unusual distinction for foreigner. He IS
the only Spanish diplomat upon whom
this much coveted honor has been be-
slowed
The marquis IS a knight OF the Spanish
Order Of Carlos III and wears the grand
cross OF the Order OF Isabel the Catholic
and the decoration OF commander OF tho
Legion OF Honor OF France He IS q
knight OF the order OF Christ. OF P6r-
tugal, and a knight OF the Order OF Leo
pold OF Belgium He is also a chamber
lain TO King Alfonso Of Spain but his
greatest distinctot IS that OK Maestrante
de Zaragoza, Spain's most ancient and
AvnOIdble ChlNdiElc pOuy. lie traces his
ancestry back TO one OF the heroes who
led his counrys victorious army IN driv-
ing the MoOrs out OF Spain
The Spanish Minister. being looked upon
by King Edward as an Intimate friend.
was the means Of bringing about the
marriage OF Don Alfonso and Victoria
His great tact and diplomacy did much
20 suppress what was thought at the
time hostile feeling in Spanish circles
against t. He had charge Of the social
features OF the royal betrothal and we'd
ding ceremonies. and won the tributes OF
the foreign guests for the courtesy and
impartiality with which he performed Eis
manifold and difficult duties.