Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-12-30
Our Rowing Diplomats.

The Springfield Republican is OF the opinion
that the United States diplomatic establishment
could be dispensed with, without harm to any
OF the interests of the government Or people. 1t
calls attention to the fact that the English and
Russian missions have been vacant for six
months or more and during that time affairs be-
tween our government and those nations have
been attended TO as promptly and settled as eX-
peditiously as when we were represented by
ministers Minister Noyes has spent but little
OF the past year In Paris and he proposes coming
home for the best part of next year to take part
In the presidential canvass By his continued
absence from his post he tacitly admits that
there is nothing for the minister to France to do
Minister Goodloe has returned from Belgium
and will remain at home for months. Minister
Diehman, appointed last June, is already back
from Columbia and Minister Kasson's
absence from Vienna is also pointed out
in support Of the theory that these
costly diplomats are not necessary to the
continuance of peaceabie relations between the
United States and foreign countries or for the
transaction OF international business. The Re-
publican is but giving voice to widespread
sentiment when 1t argues that the American
people do not get value received for the money
paid to maintain diplomatic establishment.
Public sentiment in this country looks more to
utility than ornament, and the masses who
support the government watch closely the ex-
pendituTcS. They would not for the sake of
dollars and cents deprive the government of
anything that goes to maintain its glory or
assert its equality with the best of nations; but
they care nothing about following a custom
because il obtains in other countries. The habit
that has prevailed for some time among the
American ministers sent abroad of abSenting
themselves for months at time from their
posts of duty, has done more than all other in
fr,apn hfr,al I,,,i1d
the feeling that this government could get along
very well without such ministers.
The French crisis appears to have ended with
out the usual accompanment-i that country
of barricaded streets, violence and boodShed.
NJ. de Freycinet has formed new cabinet, with
himself at the head as premier and minister OF
foreign affairs, and matters of state are pro-
crossing smoothly and peaceably. Only three
members of the old cabinet remain7-M. de Frey
cinet, who succeeds NJ. Washington; NJ. Lepere,
minister OF the interior and of worship; and NJ.
Jules Ferry, minister of public instruction. The
new cabinet is not as radical as was expected,
but, on the whole, it is considered as good a
one as could have been formed in the face of the
divisions of parties in the assembly. The de-
mand Of the republicans for all the government
patronage has led to this '!crisis,' as 1t is termed
and the new cabinet intends to meet the de-
mand. All 'reactionary officials" as those not
republicans are called, are TO be removed and
their places filled by men of the ruling political
faith. This seems to be all there is in this
''crisis." A lot Of hungry office-seekers have
made such howl that they must be provided
for. Meantime the people have not been at
all disturbed by this hubbub among the polti-
clans. They seem to have had true conception
of the whole affair and to have rated it at It's
true worth. The turning out of lot of .'lmpe
rialsts," etc, to put lot OF republicans into
minor Offices was not matter for business men
to bother with. They left it to the politicians,
and it is they who have made all the fuss.