Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-10-20

man Is tne Benn-
sylvanian who may be selected as United
States Ambassador to the Government of
Carranza, already recognized by the Pam
American conferees as "the de facto Gov
ernment of Mexico" Not that he is in
any wise an applicant for the place. but his
is one Of the three names, 1t is said which
are receiving chief consideration in this
connection at Washington.
Henry Prather Fletcher, Republican, was
appointed Ambassador to Chill something
over year ago. He is one of the few
American diplomats OF highest official rank
who have had any considerably extended ex-
perience in the service. Yet, from the stand
point of personal achievement, F1etchers
remarkably successful diplomatic career has
been brief. Twelve years ago he made his
start as second secretary of the legation at
Pekin. Much Of his training he has given
himself. Officially and unofhcially he has be-
come acquainted with many peoples and
has learned not only half dozen languages,
but also numerous dialects.
Joined the Rough Riders"
He was born forty-two years ago at
Greencastle,.in this State. He attended a
private school in Chambersburg which is
now his home town. and there studied law
for four years in the office of d. Watson
Rowe. Admitted to the bar in 1894, he be-
came member of the law firm of Rowe
& Fletcher. From 1891 to 1898 he was Of
hcial reporter OF the Thirty y-ninth Judicial
District of Pennsylvania
Then came the Spanish War and many sue
cessve revelations of Fletcher as a man of
action, hard worker and "live wire" He
offered his services to Colonel Roosevelt as
Rough Rider in such fashion that he was
accepted at once. He fought in Cuba, and
when the regiment was mustered out he
promptly enlisted in the regular army, re-
ceiving commission as second lieutenant in
the 14th Infantry. For three years he was
In the Philippines. He was promoted to a
first lieutenancy and then became battalion
adjutant. In this Office he acquired some real
knowledge of diplomacy. 1t was the man-to-
man variety. Upon him fell the duty of
treating with rebellious natives and repre-
senting to the little brown men the Great
White Tather" in Washington. In Manila,
melting pot of the East he diligently applied
himself to learning what he could of the Span
ish the Chinese and the Japanese-the peo-
Piles and their languages and dialects In 1901
he became attached to the legation at Pekin
Afterward he held similar post in Cuba,
then for while was first secretary of lega-
ton at Lisbon, returning to China, where he
became Charge d'Affaires in 1907.
Won His Spurs in China
II was there that he won his first recog-
milton one OF the coming men of American
diplomacy. 1t will be recalled that President
Taft appointed Charles r. Crane Minister to
China, and that as Mr.. Crane was about to
embark on his voyage thither he gave out an
interview which further muddled an already
muddled diplomatic situation, and which re-
suited in his immediate recall Mr.. Crane
injudiciously declared that the United States
was preparing to protest against the treaties
between China and Japan, a statement that
caused much agitation in both countries
President Taft and Secretary Knox looked
about for the right man to send to the Far
East 10 handle the delicate situation They
wanted not only a man of tact but a man
well informed as TO economic conditions and
especially as to railway problems. In the
meantime reports were coming into the State
Department from the seat Of trouble These
reports because Of the gravity of the case,
were brought to the personal attention OF the
Secretary and the President, who were deeply
impressed with their mastery descriptions
and analyses of conditions. They were all
signed Fletcher" Inquiries were made
about this man. and he was continued as our
chief diplomatic representative in China until
the spring OF 1910. when he went to Chill as
Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Pleaipo-
tentary.
The press Of Chill is very enthusiastic in
it's praise OF Mr. Fletcher and his work He
is regarded by the Chilians almost as one
of themselves. When they speak of their
trade and social relations with the United
States and their confidence in the perfect
good faith Of this nation toward the other
countries Of Pan-America they never omit
the name OF Ambassador Fletcher. Not
least do they pay tribute 20 the charm OF
his personality.
HILLS
/ never loved your plAins-