New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-07-26
OFFICIAL GOSSIP.
AMERICAS REPRESENTATIVES, IN GREECE AND DEN
MAIK-A NAVY PAYMAsTERSHIP-OFFICIAL DIN
NERs FROM PRIVATE FUNDS.

AMERICAS REPRESENTATIVES, IN GREECE AND DEN
MAIK-A NAVY neutrality-suspicious. DIN
NERs FROM PRIVATE FUNDS
10y TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBCNE.l
WASHINGTON, July 25.-The present complication
of affairs in Eastern Europe renders it necessary
that the United States should be represented il
Greece and Denmark, but Congress having made no
provision for a ministerial representative at either
place. the Secretary Of State has decided to clothe
the United States Consuls in Greece and Denmark
with power to perform such diplomatic functions
as may be required of them.
There is considerable pressure upon the Secretary
of the Navy from navy circles in behalf of candi-
dates for the position of Navy Paymaster at Wash
!ngton. 1t was given out to-day that the Sec
rotary had decided to assign to this office Pay
Director John S. Cunningham. The order for such
assignment will be made in few days.
During the absence of Minister NOyes from Paris,
Mr.. Hoffman, the American Secretary of Legation,
has performed the duties of Minister and main-
tanned the honor of the position, exercising such
hospitality is customary with the representatives
of great nations i'll foreign capitals. ii has hereto
fore been the custom, under such circumstances, and
one which has had the sanction OF law TO allow the
Secretaries of Legations at London Paris and Berlin
amount equal to One-half of the Minister'S salary
while acting for him during his absence. Congress,
during the last session. abolished this prov ison of
the law. and Mir. Hoffman will therefore be COM
SHARP PRACTICE BY ENGLAND.
A CLAIM THAT TIE POSTAL TREATY WOULD PERMIT
BOOK IMpoRTATIoNs FREE OF DUTY.
WASHINGTON, July 25.-The attention of the Post
Office Department authorities has been called to
certain criticisms made by English newspapers upon
the action of the department in ordering that I'M
sealed packages received in the mails from postal
union countries, which are found on examination
to contain articles liable to customs duties, shall be
treated as unbelievable correspondence, and be re-
turned at once by the United States receiving ex-
change Office to the exchange Office of the country
of origin which forwarded it to the United States,
marked "Subject to customs duties" ARGENT issue
of The London AteRGum says that the United States
postal authorities base their determination on
clause in the fourth article of the treaty, which,
however, relates to the of country desiring to
exercise jurisdiction over the Post Office and to
hinder the circulation of what may be called sedi-
tlous matter" The question involved is one which
chiefly interests the book publishers, both European
and American, and before the PRONUNCIATION OF the
order referred to the law officers OF the Post Office
Department entered into correspondence with gem
tlemen prominently connected with this interest.
letter was addressed to A. II. Bissel Assistant
Attorney General in the Post Once Department, on
July 3, by Mr. Henry G. Lea, of Philadelphia, chair
man of the committee of publishers of that city.
The letter embodies the views of American publish
ers generally and the opinions expressed are sub
stantiay those which led the order In question.
The following is All extract FRONT it:
am glad to have your of the I'd. and the Of
the Berie postal treaty" From such examination M
srprised at the demands English friends that
should relieve the book post from the duties Imposed b
bound TO procure legislation necessary 10 grant those
demands Tie last clause OF Article Nv specially re-
serves each country the right TO refuse to transport or
deliver printed matter merchandise In con ravention
of laws While this probably had reference TO the
sion is broad enough customs duties and even
without arguing that does So 1t is distinct recogni
ton that the terms OF the convention not intended by
the contracting parties to override their internal munich
pal laws 1t depves those WHO complain Of our enfoe
Inc s Sr Se an by Knee Of the
Iotions." which empowers each country to refuse TO
receive postal cards bearing inscriptions niercted by
its laws. Article XIV OF the regulations moreover
Shall be inaiIabc showing that those who negotiated
and signed the convention expressly provided that
to be nifcd or Affected by it. It therefore 10
very sharp practice for England now 10 clan tnat
Ia In Of having entered into the postal
union. . .,.r a.. ,osoa ,,cor n ,,,s,oyar
translation Of the only clause which can find having
apparent bearing upon the question: Inc seccha
jeyying Daucune take nj d'aucun droit postal autrcs
que ceux prevus par les atlces susnentionnes where
rendeSed "any tax or duty, Now the French
Sors s Sas had
would have been the words used TAKE" everywhere
throughout the convention simply means r1ce pSs tse
convention Article Of the regulations In TACT ihe
stamp 70, UNPAID Letters e eS ' e.naned 10
mean take payer. or postage TO be paid" snili,
GENTLY shows this while Article XAw showS a. a wne Ss
douane" II therefore seems to me s
that when ws ssiass to
goods we are keeping strictly with the letter ana Split