Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-07-25
BY WILLIAM HARRISON MOORE.

COME one has said it is wonderful
thing to be patriot and a recog-
* nized and helpful citizen TO ones
own country. But it comes to
few living men to have erected inde-
structible monuments of national ad-
vancement in their native land, and in
addition to have represented their coun-
try so we'll in diplomatic and financial
circles in a foreign land that departure
from diplomatic duties caused personal
and official regret
The recent resignation Of DR.. Ignacio
Calderon. patriot, diplomat and pub
licist, who has endeared himself to
thousands of Americans since 1904.
when he first assumed the position o.
envoy extraordinary and minister pleni-
potentiary of Bolivia to the United
States, has caused a Widespread sense
Of loss. not only in Washington. but also
in other cities where his influence has
been felt
Although the success Of the revolu
tionary forces in Bolivia was the direct
cause Of his retirement from active po-
litical life, DR.. Calderon has become so
thoroughly imbued with the American
spirit and ideals that he intends to
make his permanent residence in Wash
ington.
Born in La Pay.
DR.. Calderon was born in La Paz. the
capital Of Bolivia. He received his edu-
cation in the schools Of La Paz and ar
the University of La Paz. Following his
graduation. he was appointed. at the
80 ~ nineteen years. to ccupy the po-
sition of professor of history. Young
Calderon was better equipped to in
strlct the youth of Bolivia than many
an older man.
At the age of twenty his ability was
called to the attention of the powers
that be" in La Paz. The powers de-
cided for the young professor that he
would make an even better diplomat
than dispenser Of knowledge. and they
admitted that was going some" So
young Prof. Calderon was given the ap-
pointment as secretary Of the Bolivian
legation at Rome. Italy. After serving
in this capacity for two years he re-
turned to his own country. where he
was appointed supervisor of public in
struction.
But the urge diplomatiQue soon
began calling again. The aforesaid
''pewera," Arm In their origtnal con-
viction that first class diplomat was
slowly. but surely being buried in
the public sch6ST ststs5d Sf Bolivia.
appointed young Caaderon to the post
Of first secretary Of the Bolivian lega-
ton in Peru. Upon hts resignation
from this once. DR.. Calderon came
to the United States. where he spent
some time travelling about the coun-
try and assimilnting the spirit Of
Americanism. Eventually he became
consul gneral for Bolivia In New York
city. Shortly after arriving in the
United States. he married Miss Ar
cadia c. Yarnall Cropper Of Virginia
Entered Financial Arena.
In 1886. DIR. caldern returned to his
native country for the purpose of
managing the affairs Of 4 large i'm
porting and exporting company.
Three years later he was chosen
president Of the Barco Hipotecario.
one of the largest financial institu-
tions of La Paz. He did not. how
ever, remain long In private business,
for in 1900 he was appointed secre-
tary of the treasury of Bolivia by
President Pando. He remained In
this position until March. 1904. when
he assumed duties incumbent upon
the office of minister plenipotentiary
and envoy extraordinary from Bolivia
to the United States.
DR.. Calderon has spent more than
twenty years of his busy life travel
ing over the continents and familiar
izing himself with the present as
well as the past histories of the
various nations. He was in France
during the overthrow of the house
of Bonaparte, and experienced life
in Paris during the commune.
He is familiar with London, So
cially and automatically, has been
in close touch with Berlin and Petro-
not only into the intricate matters
of statehood which closely concerned
his own developing nation. but into
the affairs of the world. He realized
with the surety Of knowledge which
breadth Of understanding gives that
no nation can live to itself either
in selfish security or enlightened ad-
vancement." And because of his
grasp Of national developments out