New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-02-01

likely TO arise from system OF Indirect
communication through Dutch interpreters, ana
encouraged some OF their young men TO the study Oh
English European Governments met them half way
and offered facilities and inducements for the study OF
japanese Students attached to the legations oil
England France, and other nations, and the result Is
that the British French, and Prussan representatives
not to speak of diplomatic agents of les important andS
are amply provided with competent interpreters Wio
the United States Minister not and has never had
single one good or bad He is obliged therefore, IN the
transaction of.a business either TO depend upon inc
Japanese lnguists or to beg the services OF trans
tor from some colleague Apart from the dlscreu'aoo
effect produced upon the native officials by 'his no0
sty, il is embarrassing as it is disagreeaDie' t
even say is often unsafe; for in the ono case 'he n
lister totally at the mercy OF those WITH whom ho ~
negotiating and in the ohor he is able only 10 express
such ideas or sentiments he is willing to nave Known
TO enyoys from other countries. And then the question
whether the United States Minister ought OF oueh' NV
TO be left without the assistance OF some SOFT vi s
one which think no looker-on could answer III vic
Affirmative 1t has become almost imperative lor
every foreign nation to be represented Doth al
Yokohama and at Yedo; but American Min
listers like most other including Sir Boyle Koche'
labor under the ncapacity OF being at TWO places NJ
once the Yedo Legation has been Tor the ast
year and would still be vacant but for the acceptance
of the nominal position and the actual duties OF Acting
Secretary by Mr. shepard, the U. s. Consul, who has
made the place habitabe at his expense, and who
does something toward filing the gap which the Gov
eminent seems willing TO leave open indefinitely
A PTSGY-wIsE FOREIGN ESTABLISHMENT.
II might not be profitable to contrast the completeness
and amplitude Of other foreign establishments with tho
meagerness and inadequacy of own but it's painfully
obvious that indifference in this respect will speedily
send us down to the Of the diplomatic class That
we were not there year ago attribute solely TO the
fact that the best of the traditions bequeahed by Mr.
Harris could not be effaced either by careessness at
home or other adverse causes here. What Mr. Del0ng
may yet do remains of 10 be seem Nobody can
deny his energy his activity his integrity But he is
continually struggling against heavy odds Economyis
a fine principle, but there is "pennywise" maxim
which it is udciOus TO entirely disregard 1t IL clear
enough to everyone here that we must prepare our
selves for the certain decline Of prestige in Japan,
unless liberal step is taken toward improving tho
condition of diplomatic relations If the Govern
ment is willing that America should stand aside
and let the European States parcel out the first places
among themselves, of course must submit; but the
prospect is not pleasant one, especially when we TO
member that ten years ago we had no rival ana that
our prominence in power and influence were ackn0W-
edged the world over No sensible person cOunsels ex
travagance in Eastern appointments, nor any de-
parture from Just exercise Of ecOnOmy but parslmony
is not prudence, and the Withholding of the necessary
means to give respectable appearance Is not policy
The work to be done here Is more than one man can &c
oOmplsh-more, indeed, than two are equal to, for
Minister at least needs permanent CciIch dssohOC,
and there is always sufficient TO occupy one member OF
his staff at YedO As destution in the matter OF
interpreters il ia perpetual humiliation and no consid
erations Of thrift should stand in the way of IN mmed-
ate reform this matter But to render our representa-
ton what it truly should be- the great error OF our sys-
TEN should be repaired. so long as Ministers and
attaches are sent here without regard to their special
vocations and for o period brief as 20 offer them
no inducements to acquire knowledge of the
customs character Of the nation, much less OF Its
language long shall be liable 10 be dstanced by
Governments which act upon soundcr theories. Mr.
Harris did his work exceptionally wei but it Is mild
statement TO say that, during the eight ye'rs that fol-
lowed his Withdrawal no single act done to per
maneny advance American interests OF to sustain the
L. S. Legation in the position in which he left it, Tho
two gentlemen who succeeded him fulfilled their duties
respectively for four years, undoubtedly to their own
content, and apparently to the satisfaction of the state
Department, which seemed never TO give serious
thought TO Japan anything connected with it, Now
we have Mr. Delong for four yearsf he is willing Ia
remain so long But / do not suppose Mr..
Delong looks upon the East as likely TO afford
him career. lie has probably no expectation
and no desire beyond those Of performing his
duties with all the ability he command, and then re-
turning to other political fields home 1t is not
nv nconsiderate appointments for limited periods that
the United States maintain any show OF dignity in
this quarter of the globe. Here, at least the principle
Of rotation should be abandoned and men whose tastes
education and special gifts qualify them for the tasks OF
Oriental diplomacy should alone be commissioned with
the understanding that their tenure of Office to depend
upop the results of their abors and not upon the caprice
of party To anticipate this perhaps to look forward
to nothing short of political millennium, but without It,
we must accept the consequence Of seeing our Embass
doris struggle fcered and cOgged against the free and
unmpeded action of the entire body Of their colleagues
A DUTCH INIERPRETBR BECOMES An INsUBoRDlNAIE
CLERK.
circumstance or a series OF circumstances, has re-
Gently occurred which might be considered trivial If 1t
were not calculated to attract attention TO our Legation
in new and disagreoable manner. If not already gen
orally known, the story will soon become public prop
crty and may as well be told az at any future time
About three months ago, Mr. POrtman, who has slnce
1861 occupied the position Of Dutch interpreter TO the
Embassy. and who has long been supposed to hold the
additional Office of Secretary of Legation, unexpectedly
refused to fulfill certain clerical duties assigned 10 him
by Mr. belong, Offering reason for doing 30 beyond
the statement that he disapproyed OF the Minister'S
method Of addressing the State Department Mr. De
long at the earnest request Of the japanese foreign sec
retares had prepared communication calling the at
tenton of the authorities Washington to the attitude
assumed by the Russian Government In regard 10 the
occupation of the island Of Saghaen, and presenting
their claim for the intercesson Of the United Saes-a
claim based upon certain pledges conveyed in one Of Mr.
Harss treaties. 1t is unnecessary here TO give par
tcular history of the Saghalen dispute Mr. Deong was
asked TO take part it, but simply to trans
nit the views OF the Japanese Government, which. in
deed he could not have avoided doing, if lie had
wished to- His dispatch having been written, Mr. Port
man was called upon to copy IT, This service he declined
to PERFORM and, appears from the records placed
such obstacles from that time forward in the way Of
public business, by Withholding important documents
and refusing to impart intelligence upon SUBJECTS which
lie had been instructed to investigate that 1t found
necessary TO dismiss him from all participation i'll the
affairs of the Legation. believe am understanding the
facts the say ing that Mr. Dclong endeavored
week after week, by every concilaory means in lis
power to recall Mr. POTtman TO sense Of his duties