The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1882-04-16
Blaine's Diplomatic Methods.

The disclosures made by SHIPHERD under
cross-examination prove Mr. BLA1NE's OFF,
cial conduct to have been marked by trickery
and hypocrisy. When the neutrality-suspicious.
sent to Gen. HURLBUT in November and De-
cember were made public, we denounced
them as the work OF supple politician who
had discovered that detection was at hand.
1t is now alleged that conclusive evidence
OF bad faith in Mr.. BLAINE's handwriting has
for some time been in the possession Of the
editor Of our esteemed contemporary, the
World. Nor is this essential fact denied by
the distinguished journalist, though he does
aver that he never showed the document to
SHEPHERD.
In order to appreciate Mr.. BLAINE's def
milton Of "a trained diplomat" and the dis
tinction which he draws between the text Of
instructions designed to blind the public on
the one hand, and marginal notes not in
tended to be divulged on the other, it may be
well to recall some Of the dispatches for
warded to Lima after the South American
scandal had been exposed, and after it had
become evident that Mr.. BLArNE's presence
in the State Department would not be much
longer tolerated The first Of these edifying
papers was written on Nov II. Up to that
time, be it remembered the only mailed de-
spatch relating to the CoCHET imposture
which Is on the files Of the State Depart
ment-of course we do not know how many
private letters passed between BLAINE and
HURLBUT-had been written on Aug. 4, i'm
mediately after the conference with SHIP
HERD and BLAIR, the text OF which was SUBJ
seQuently ION Oct. 49, shown to SHEPHERD
and approved Of by that operator. There
was also telegram sent on Oct. 81 in con-
formity with SHEPHERDS demand for HURL-
Butts dismissal on the ground Of the latter's
implication in the schemes Of the Credit In
dustriel. This telegram ordered the Minister
at Lima mot to use the influence Of his
position in aid OF the Credit Industriel OF
any other financial or speculative associa-
ton" The phraseology is vague, but that
1t was scarcely intended to cover the Peru
Wan Company Is indicated by the mailed
despatch Of Nov. 10. ostensibly sent for the
purpose OF explaining the telegram. In
this despatch the claim OF the French specu-
lators to any assistance from the United
States is repudiated, whereas the Minister is
expressly authorized to extend his good
offices " to the Peruvian Company. Two
days before, however, viz, on Nov. II (the
difference In the tone OF these dispatches
may be partly accounted for by the fact that
on the intervening day, Nov. IS, SHEPHERD
had his interview with the President on Gen
GRANTS introduction, Mr.. BLAINE had
awakened to the danger which threatened
him, and had recognized the necessity
OF putting himself right ON the official
record. In his letter OF that date he
says: After the instruction in my No 7
1.-THE despatch Of Aug. shown to SHIP
HERD had been mailed became convinced
that there was no need Of even the prelimi-
nary Inquiry which suggested in regard to
the CoCHEr claim. There is no Just ground
whatever ON which this Government could
Intervene on behalf OF It," In the same letter
we read: SHEPHERDS writing to you was
an improperly, and you will pay no atten-
ton to anything he may say to you In re-
gard TO claims against the Government Of
Peru" This is very smooth and exemplary,
but we hear not word as yet In
rebuke Of SHEPHERDS attempt to bride
HURLBUT, which had been communl-
Gated To the Secretary on July %,
and subsequently discussed by him on
Oct. 10. 1t was not indeed, till Dec. that
Mr. BLAINE became alive to the enormity of
that proceeding, Then he pretends to learn
OF II Tor the first time from the bribe-tender-
hug letter. which is forwarded 10 the State
Department by HURLBUT about six months
after its reception IL entertain" writes the
Secretary on Dec. 8, with fine assumption
Of surprise aud Indignation, "a no less de-
cded opinion than you have held a. 10 the
indecency and dlshonor Of SHIPHERp's at
tenpts " influence diplomatic consideration
ol this clalm-" II 1t were possible 10 attribute