New-York tribune., 1879-09-01
AMERICAN DIPLOMACY.
Mr.. wELsHs RETIREMENT.

IFRoM THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIDUNE.l
LoNDoNlAug. 20.-Mr. Welsh whom am sorry to
have to speak of our late Minister at the Court
of st. James, and Miss Welsh left London yester-
day. and sail from Liverpool to-day. Lake the good
| fhladslphan he is. he takes passage In the In
diana, vessel belonging to the line which selects
Philadelphia its American port of arrival and
departure. Its owners, with a patriotism worthy
OF ali praise boldly advertise this in the English
papers as the American Line. Ono would
line to say that the adjective was cal
culated to aetract passengers. but / fear
that tho Briton still believes he build
and sail ships better than Americans can. Mr..
lioppn and Mr.. Nada first and second secretaries
of Legation accompanied their chief to Liver
pool. and Mr.. j. s. Morgan was of the party. As the
cable brings no news Of the appointment of Mr..
Welshs successor. Mr. Hoppin remains Charge
d'Afaires; with the consent and good will of all his
countrymen abroad. 1t was last week on the 18th,
that Mr. Welsh had audience with the Queen, at
Osborne, 20 present her his letters of recall. He
may think himself lucky in not having to make the
journey to Balmoral.
have quoted before now various English test-
monies about Mr.. Welsh. The Times of yesterday
discusses his departure leading article, remark
ing that his retirement will cause general regret in
this country. and that he has flled The position of
Minister in a manner equally gratifying to his own
cOuntrymen and 10 the English people. The Times
Is of opinion that he leaves clamorous of
unsettled questions TO his successOr-nothng but
trivial" dispute abont Fisheries which 'cxctes
only the most langud interest in the United States
while in this country it is scarcely remembered
understood" Yet in the same breath we arc told
that with this trivial difficulty Mr.. Welsh has
been chiefly occupied since his arrival In London
couple of years ago. Moreover, he has brought
one phase Of IL to critical point by deposiing last
week with the Foreign Secretary a demand Tor
damages, amounting to $1O3,00O, on the of
the Fortunes's Bay outrage" In former days dis
pntes as insi gnfcant stirred up bad blood In boz
countries. But now, you will be dad to hear, old
feuds have faded out of 81 ght. They who did the
wrong have pardoned. And they magnanimously
assure us that all except very small minority
desTous. not only that the two great English speak
ing States should be at peace but that their friendly
intercourse should not be interrupted by any
pic0ns or ealousies. They believe, moreover, that
the people of The United States, the small minority
also excepted, equally disposed to be friends
with England. Whatever may be the merits of the
Fishery dispute, and whether 1t be trivial OF seri-
ous. believe this journal to be stating the case
none too strongly as to the good feeling of the
English nation toward tie American. To be right
also in saying: "Seldom has this kindly disposition
been more conspicuous than at the close of Mr..
NclSDs mission: never haS III Dceu more lIdhhiy
shown than 10y the departing Minister"
That last phrase expresses merit which is al
ways great one in foreign Minister. and which
Mir. Welsh had in periecion-the merit of a cordial
manner. | have heard Englishmen speak of it
many times; and have the effect of it on
one or two of them whom j should not have
reckoned among the most enthusiastic OF our
friends. Ii made him n universal tavorlte. Add to
it his transparent ruthfulness and utter sincerity
of character. and you have already well equipped
dipomatls. Prince Bismarck was the first TO bring
frankness of speech into fashion as a diplomatic de-
vice. He practised it, and stil practi,es IT, in
style of his own. He has had mitators, but no
rival. Mr.. Welsh is not to be ranked among his
imtators. Frankncss with him is the natural ex-
preston of his character. and not a weapon of con-
troverSy. But in its way. II is extremely effective.
Nobody could think the United States nourished
hostile designs covert purposes SO long as Mr..
Welsh represented his country.
1--WE have every reason to believe" continues
Tho Tines, that Mr.. Weishs successor will follow
the same course and give expression TO the same
sentiments "-and then comes the Fishery question
once more; and another volley of compliments to
us on our good behavior with reference to it. We
take a sensible and digniicd view of the matter
We perceive that the points in question are not
only inconsiderabe but technical. and that their
reasonable diplomacy. As for the Fortunes Bay
outrage, there is no denying that the New
foundlaud fishermen who attacked the Mas
sachusetts feet were wrong; the only ques-
tion Is whether the Americans were in
the right in defying the local law.
But this too, is technical point and may be Gis
cussed without anv heat on either side. Aud The
Times reiterates its convection that Mr.. Welsh
would have conducted in the best spirit not only
this discussion, but the larger question of policy IN
yolved in the proposal to abrogate the existing ar
rangement to the Fisheries" Reiterates. also Its
helief that his successor will represent with equal
good sense and good feeling the wishes OF his coun-
trynen 1t has of recent years been the custom with
the journal / am quoting to write clyIlIy about
American topics. But | can hardly recall an article
SD thckly spread with honey, from end to end. AS
fins which the departure OF Mr. Welsh has inspired,
II is the final tribute to his capacity as peace
maker. OF other tributes to his many other adj
mrabe qualities gave some account at the time OF
his re signation
Perhaps YOU will allow ne to make a remark or
two on matter you have lately dIscussed-that OF
the position our Minister III London Is expected 10
keep mp, and the nadequacy OF his oihcial salary.
have said repeatedly that in my opinion the United
States Legation may be creditably maintained III
either of two ways First our Minister may model
his way of life the old ideas OF republican SIM
plcitv. He may, as you suggest. live IN lodgings
though that is not necessary, and drive to Downing
st. in cab. or 20 afoot. In his purely official rea-
tons it will make no Of difference what ne
does. or how he organizes his household, nor whether
he keeps his carriage and pair or not. On
occasions of cereIDony-levees. drawlng-rooms
and the like-he would find 1t eastward to
make his way through the army of outside iiunkeys
at Buckingham Palace without the customary
aouipaoe. But he could undoubtedly on such occa-