Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-03-27
SARGENT TRANSFERRED.
A REMOVAL FROM BERLIN TO
ST. PETERSBURG RATIFIED.

Reports that the German Mission Will
be Left Vacant in Retaliation for Bis
mareI's Course in the LasIxer Affair
Secretary FreIinghuysen Cables the
Ministera Complimentary Notification.
WASHINGTON, March 26.-The Presi-
dent to-day sent to the Senate a commu-
nication announcing the transfer of Min
lister Sargent from Berlin to st. Peters
burg. Soon afterward the Senate went
into executive session and confirmed the
transfer without reference. 1t is said In
Senatorial circles tonight that the trans
fer was made at Mr.. Sargenfs request,
and that it is the intention of the Presi-
dent not to send anyone to Berlin for some
time, but to resent the insults of Prince
Bismarck to our Minister by leaving the
post vacant. 1t is reported also that Mr..
Sargent would have demanded his pass
ports, in spite of Prince Bismarck's con-
clliatory dinner, had he not been assured
by the State Department of the Presidents
determination.
A SURPRISE.
The nomination of Mr.. Sargent to be
Minister to Russia was total surprise
to most persons at the capitol to-day. IL
was not delivered to the Senate till after
Secretary Frelinghuysen had spent an
hour or. more at the capitol for the pur-
pose, it is conjectured, of preparing the
leading members of that body for It's re-
cepti0n. When 1t was laid before the
Senate in executive session
few questions were asked and
briefly answered to the effect
that the transfer, though not requested or
even suggested by Minister Sargent, would
doubtless be agreeable to him, and that
it would also undoubtedly be productive
of good results as a matter Of national
policy, although in what manner was not
stated nor asked. AS the Senate, there
upon accepting these assurances OF the
members of the Foreign Relations Com
mittee, confirmed the nomination by
unanimous consent, there is good reason
for believing that the action of the Senate
was based not only upon the belief that
Mr.. Sargent's transfer which, in Eu-
rOpean estimation, is a diplomatic
promotion. would be agreeable to him
and avert the possibility Of further un-
pleasantness arising from personal hos
tilities, but also upon the prevalent inn
preston that the position Of American
Minister at the Court Of Berlin will sig
niticantly and for an indefinite time be
left vacant.
Secretary Frelinghuysen sent the fol
lowing telegram to Mr.. Sargent this after
noon:
kf. sargent. minister, Berlin. The Iresl-
dent approves entirely Of Your course In the
Lasker matter. You have done nothing but
obey the instructions OF ths government
therein. The President. thinking il may be
agreeable to you. to-day nominated you as
Minister to st. Petersburg, and your nomina-
tion, without reference to any committee,
was Immediately and unanimously confirmed
by the American Senate. This action maui
tests an appreciation Of your worth. and does
you an honor Of which any citizen may well
be proud.
Signed FRELINGHUYsEN. Sec'y.
OTHER CONTRIBUTIONS.
VIM. NJ. Bum, Of Philadelphia, to be
Governor of Idaho Territory, and Sumner
Howard, of Michigan, to be Chief Justice
of the Supreme Court of the Territory of