New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-12-25
pRAJs,NG rHE STATE DEpARTuEN1


The meiit and importance Of some of the
measures taken by the present Republican Adj
miuis;ration. though noticed with admiration
abroad, are overlooked at home. Thus Is not
unnatural. The Administration, as it has not
sought TO secure for itself another lease OF
power, has rot been much inclined to puff it.
self, or to challenge public notice OF It's do
ings. Public opinion, moreover, has been
esDecIally occupied with cOntrOverted matters
of serious National importance, which it has
not been possible for this or any other Adj
mnistration so far to settle that the public
mind rests in the belief that the settlement
will prove permanent and satisfactory. IL the
quiet discharge OF its duty, however, the Ad-
mlpistration has done many things which will
reflect great credit upon il in future years,
and which are even now deemed of great I'M
noriance by observing foreigners.
The State Department, while making as lit
tie fuss or parade as any other, has placed to
its credit not few important achievements.
Among them, i'll the opinion OF sagaclOus and
practical men of Great Britain, the treaties
recently negotiated with China are likely to
rank very high. The London Economist, in an
editorial upon the American settlement of the
Chinese question, points out clearly and for
cibly the difficulties which had arisen from
unchecked Chinese immigration the political
aspects of the question, which, as frauduently
used. came near affecting the result of the
Presidential election; and the serious danger
TO American commerce which would have
heen involved by any unfrlendly treatment of
tbe matter. Ii says: The statesmen OF the
:. Union. with their accustomed adrotness,
"havc rid themselves of a difficulty which
q" threatened very recently to prove exceed
"ipglv serious. Awaiting themselves
of the traditional Chinese dislike to emf
" grafton, which used to be punishable with
death, and king, 1t is probable, some
concession, they obtained on the 18th OF
November a revised treaty, under which
Of they are permitted to deal with the whole
question of immigration as municipal in
"stcad of an international one"
The recognition of American tact in the ar
raugement of the new treaties is presumably
well-deserved, though the precise details arc
not vet publicly known. The position Wa,
one which required delicate treatment. Per-
hans il may fairly be added the British dipio.
macy in China was not ncglectful of its OPP
portunity, and did not abstain from quiet ef
forts to separate this country and China more
widely. The compliment paid to % American
adroitness" by journal i'll close relation.
with the statesmen who now direct the Brit
ish foreign policy, therefore wears little tho
appearance of an acknowledgment of defeat
OF the possible consequences, The EconOmis
adds remarks which deserve the attention o.
American statesmen:
The incident shows however. that the American and
Chinese Governments on friendly terms, and give
some foundation the apprr hensiOn that China
elect To arrange a special alliance win me ONLY c1ea
poorer phich she docs not dread. aud uaieh 10 sfron
eaouGh 10 assn! her Colonel Gordon la hs recent pale