Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-11-22
JOHN v. FOSTER,
DIPLOMAT, IS DEAD
Former Minister to China-Sec.
rotary Of State under
Harrison.

washington, Nov. 1b.-John w. Foster,
former minister to China, dean of the
American diplomatic corps and father
in-Iaw of Secretary of State Lansing. died
here this morning. after a long Illness.
He at one time was secretary of state.
with a record of practically "a half GEN.
fury of continuous service in diplomacy
and the practice Of international law, John
Watson Foster had n fair claim to the
title of dean of the diplomatic service of
the United States. He had been secretary
of state under President Harrison, sue
ceeding Blaine when the latter resigned
after his senatorial quarrel with the chief
executive and had held three separate
commissions as a minister plenipoten-
tiary. Beside that he represented the
United States in many special treaty ne
gotiations. had acted as its agent before
international commissions. and even had
been called into the service Of foreign gov
ernments
As secretary of state his most notable
act was a treaty with the Americans in
Hawaii who had been concerned In the
overthrow of the native queen, providing
for annexation Of the islands to the Uni
ted States. President Harrisons admin
istratlon was drawing to n close and be-
| fore the treaty could be ratified by the
Senate, President Cleveland took office
and Withdrew it as his first official act.
Mr.. Fosters notable services to his coun-
| try in diplomatic capacities abroad were
successfully as minister to Mexico, minis
| ter to Russia, minister to Brazil, Spain,
Germany and the British West Indies.
| Following that he became secretary of
state. Later he became the agent of the
United States at Paris in the Boring Sea
arbitration and at the close Of the war
between China and Japan was invited by
the Emperor of China to participate in
| the peace negotiations.
| While the invitation was officially ex-
tended by the emperor Mr.. Foster was
really invited by LII Hung Chang who
describes the occasion in u volume Of his
published memoirs, speaking affectionate.
ly of Mr.. Foster, not alone as a personal
| friend but as representative of the
friendship of the United States for China
in her hour Of trial.
The great Chinese statesman frankly
acknowledges how valuable was the coun.
sci of the American friend at a moment
when he was confronted with the almost
hopeless task of preserving his country
against the demands Of the victor Later
the Chinese government chose Mr.. Eos.
ter as it's representative at the Second
Hague Conference In 1907.
| Soon after the peace conference Mr.
Foster went to Russia and Great Britain
| on a special mission for the United States
On his return he became member Of the
Anglo Canadian commission. Then he be
came the agent of the United States al
London before the Alaska Boundary
Tribunal. His last public work was al
Chinas representative at the Hague IL
1907.
Thereafter he lived in comparative re-
tirement in Washington writing his
memoirs. His daughter became the wife
of Robert Lansing. secretary of state ir
President Wilson's cabinet and continued
to make her home with him. 1t is nc
disparagment of Mr.. Lansing's conduct
Of the many delicate diplomatic negotia
tons which confronted him as an out
come of the European war. to say thai
he doubtless enjoyed the counsel ant
ripe experience Of his distinguished
father in-law.
Indiana, March 2. 1886. the son of
lawyer. He entered law at an early ag,
and served in the Union army as al
officer.
On his S0th birthday anniversary, Marcel
q 1916. President Yuan Shi-kai confer
red upon him the Order of the Colder
Grain, the highest order Of merit With,
the gift of the Chinese government. Yual
had been the commanding general of tn
Chinese troops in the clash with JapaI
which brought on the conflict Mr.. Foste
| took a mart in adjusting