New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-01-25
GENERAL BANKS IN EUROPE
What He Went For and Saw
HIS INTERVIEWS ABROAD

The Washington correspondent Of the New
York Herald has the following in reference
to the recent visit Of General Banks to
Europe:
The following paragraph has been going
the rounds of the American press:
II is known, says the Paris Liberte,
December II, that about year ago Russia
ordered 200, 900 rifles Of a new pattern from
American makers. General Banks has
been charged from the United States to de-
liver these arms to the Czar. The General
has accomplished his mission, and returns
to America with new order for zoo, 600
rifles"
Since General Banks' return to the United
States he was shown the above statement
and pronounced it wholly untrue so far as
he was concerned. He observed that. the
Paris Llberte had probably mistaken his
name for that of General Berdan, who has
large negotiations with the Russian govern
ment for the manufacture Of arms, but for
none belonging to our government and
nothing approaching the extent in number
to that named in the paragraph quoted
The assertion of the LibeTte is absurd on
the face of it. 1t illustrates how deficient
fereign journalists are in knowledge of our
institutions. If American Makers out
side of the government, had contract to
make 100000 rifles of a new pattern for a
foreign government not at war with US or
any power friendly to us, it would not re-
quire the consent or interference of the
United States to deliver them. On the con-
trary, when the United States sells arms to
a foreign government the rule is to deliver
them, after inspection, to IN authorized
agent of that government at one of the
leading ports. The United States is not in
the habit of sending agents abroad charged
with the delivery Of such arms; if she was,
an ordnance officer of the War Department
would be directed to perform the duty, and
not one OF the peoples representatives, who
holds the high official and Independent posi-
ton OF chairman of the Committee on
Foreign Affairs of the United States House
of Representatives.
On the occasion of the recent purchase by
Turkey of a large lot of old Enfield rifle
muskets and Springfield rifle muskets (25O,-
OO0) from the United Statess they were de-
llyered in New York to an ordnance officer
Of the Turkish army, sent by the Turkish
War Minister to this country for the pur-
pose. 1t is quite likely that the fact of the
sale of these arms to Turkey, and the opera
tions of General Berdan in st. Petersburg
with his rifle. misled and muddled the
writer in the Paris Liberte in regard to the
mission of General Banks to Europe, and
especially to Russia.
1t is not improper to state, in this counec-
ton, that the principal object Of General
Banks recent trip to Europe was to visit his
family, in Germany, where Mrs. Banks has
been residing for some time, and where the
three children are attending school. Dur
ing his soiOurn abroad the General, who is
a close student of men and things, made it
his business to observe the workings of the
different governments where he went. Be.
ing representative AmGnican, and occupy
ing the important oticin position named
above, he was welcomed and politely treated
by the statesmen of Great Britain, France,
Prussia, Russia and other countries.
While in Paris General Banks had two in
terviews with the Emperor of the French,
at the latter's request. Beyond desire on
the part of the Emperor to meet his guest
and converse upon general topics, the only
matter of official public Importance dis
cussed was that of the postal service be-
tween France and the United States, which
has since resulted, by the order of the
Emperor, in beneficial results TO both coun-
tries. 1t was so understood before General
Banks left Paris.
While in Berlin, the General was the guest
of Mr.. Bancroft and Mr.. Burlingame. the
American and Chinese Ministers. The KING
OF Prussia being absent, Premier Bismarck
was not wanting in courteous attentions.
At st. Petersburg General Banks was
presented by United States Minister Curtin
to the Gar, who at once received him cor
daily and invited him to accept position
on his personal staff and review forty thou
sand of the Imperial Guard, spectacle of
unequalled military splendor. The I'm.
perial Guard is composed of the elite of the
Russian army, and Is officered by the most
skillful and gallant heroes in the Emperor's
service. Few foreigners are ever paid so
high compliment by the Czar az he ex.
tended to General Banks.
On his way TO Europe, General Banks
passed directly through England, and upon
his return he remained but three days,
each of which he spent in London. While
there he was visited by Lord Clarendon.
who made the trip to London on purpose.
General Banks expressed his regret that he
was not able also to meet Mr, Gladstone.
Mr.. Bright and other British statesmen, but
duty to his constituents in Congress COM
PEELED him to hasten home.
On the whole the ''Iittle Iron Man. of
Massachusetts, as his friends called him
when he was Governor, returns to the land
Of his nativity greatly improved in health,
deeply impressed with what he saw and
heard, but irm in the opinion that there ex-
lists nowhere else on earth a government so
well based on liberal and Just ideas, so
strong and secure, aud no people so great
and free as the government and people of
the United States. More of our statesmen
ought to go abroad. 1t will do them good.
Let them follow the example of General
Banks before they start, and learn TO speak,
read and write the French language, snd
they will not regret 1t when, they are travel-
ing abroad. But for the fact that General
Banks speaks French with freedom he
would not have been invited to two inter-
views by Napoleon, the last one Of which
was OF two hours' duration. - Washington
CORRESPONDENT of the NelB York Herald