New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-11-16
John w. Foster,
Dean of American
Diplomats, Dead
Secretary Lansing's Father
in-Law Headed Harri-
sons Cabinet

WASHINGTON. Nov. 15.-John Wat
son Foster, dean OF the American dip
lomatic corps and father-in-law Of Sec
rotary Lansing. died here thisnorning,
after a long illness, Of ssthmatic
trouble. He had been in failing health
for more than a year. He WAS eighty
one years old.
Funeral services will be held here
Friday and the burial will take place
at his old home, Evansville, Ind.
For nearly half century John Wat
son Foster served continuously as a
diploma: and master os international
'aw. AS Secretary of State under Pres
ident Harrison, as Minister to Mexico,
Russia and Spain, as special plenipo-
Tertiary To negotiate reciprocity trea-
ties with Brazil, Spain, Germany and
the British West Indies. and, finally,
as representative Of the United States
N the Boring Sea arbitration and as
China's delegate to the Second Hague
Peace Conference, Mr. Foster exhibited
qualities that won the respect and ad-
miration of diplomats the world over
and the gratitude Of many nations. His
long career was the more remarkable
in that financial success attended all
his diplomatic endeavors.
Native Of Jndian.
Mr.. Foster was born in Pike County,
Ind. March 2, 1896. After his grad
uation from the Indiana State Univer-
sity, in 1855, he studied law at Har-
ward and began the practice Of law at
Evansville, Ind.
When the Civil War broke out Mr..
Foster at once volunteered for service.
He saw hard fighting at Fort Donel-
son, Shiloh. Corinth, Holly Springs,
Knoxville, Cumberland Gap and Muir
freesboro and rose to the rank Of
colonel In General Burnsides expedi-
ton to East Tennessee Colonel Foster
headed a brigade Of cavalry and was
the first 90 occupy Knoxville in 1868.
His chief services during the war. how
ever, were with the armies of Grant
and Sherman. At the close of the con-
fict he was brevetted brigadier gem
eral.
From army life General Foster
turned 70 newspaper work and edited
The Evansville Daily Journal" In
1872 he BECAME chairman Of the Repub-
can State Committee Of Indiana and
turned the electoral vote of the state
Tor General Grant. This success led
20 his appointment in 1873 as Minister
TO Mexico. When General Hayes be-
came President he was made Minister
to Russia. In November, 1881, he re
signed and came home TO take up the
practice Of international law in Wash
lngton.
In February, 1883. President Arthur
appointed Mr.. Foster Minister TO Spain.
Became Secretary Of State
On the death Of James G. Blaine,
General Foster was appointed Secre
tary of State, and did the work of that
Office while carrying through the
Boring Sea negotiations.
At the expiration Of President Harri-
sons term Of Office Mr.. Foster resumed
his international legal practice at
Washington. His worldwide reputa-
tion in this line of work was attested
in 1894 when he was asked by the
Chinese government TO 90 to Japan and
assist the plenipotentiarie Of China in
their negotiations for peace.
In 1907 Mr.. Foster represented, the
United States on special missions TO
Russia and Great Britain, and on his
return served on the Anglo Canadian
Commission and as agent Of his coun-
try before the Alaskan Boundary Tri-
bunal In London. Then he retired to
private life in Washington. spending
most of his time writing his memoirs
and other bookz