Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1886-07-19

cepting II. EstabllohlnR himself IN ~ =
pleasant legation building at Toxic. ho
gave everybody the impression thai ~
had thrown diplomacy TO the dogs ana
that MS sole aim In life was 10 excel a,
croquet. Garden parties, dianers nic'
MICS, and all kinds OF frivolities were M
order OF the day. As TO his clever w,io
she appeared TO devote the whole of he,
attention TO the collection of Japanese
tea.pots fA"0se
The English minister, Sir Henry
Parkes, who had been warned about ~
colleague, was perfectly thrown on his
guard, aud used 10 smile contemntuonaiv
wren DE Strives name was mentioned
was In Japan at the time, and one thing
which always used TO strike me at the
RUSSIAN legation was the special atten
ton and courtesy with which the chiefs
OF bureau OF the Japanese foreign Office
were treated by both the minister and
Nine. De Strive. The English envoy
considered himself far too great man
ever to notice the existence OF such
unlmportant people as these chiefs of
bureau, and even treated the Japanese
ministers OF state themselves as II they
were mere children. Suddenly one day a
Telegram arrived from London addressed
TO Sir Henry Parkes, stating that infor-
nation had been received from st. Peters.
burg that the Russian government had
succeeded In getting the Japanese to ex.
change their half Of the Sanghalien island
Tor the barren kurlll islands previously
belonging to Russia. 10 order TO appre.
ciate the Immense Importance OF this ex.
change, the following facts must be taken
into consideration: The island of
Sannhalian ~
vided into two distinct parts.
the northern and absolutely barren
and useless portion belonging to Russia,
while the southern part, with its map.
nitlcent coal.nelds, It's vast mineral
wealth, and extensive natural harbors.
belonged TO Japan. The only port which
the Russians have on the Pacific coast is
Vladlstock, which is frozen up and use-
less during eight months of the wear.
Therefore, In case Of war with England.
and OF the strict observance OF neutrality
by Japan and China, the czar's govern
ment would have been unable to main
tain fleet in the Pacific ocean, owing
to the lmpossibility of obtaining repu-
lar supplies OF either fuel, ammu-
nision, or provisions. BY the acquisition
OF the southern portion OF Sanghalien
they have now remedled the want, as the
British colonies In Australia and else
where will find to their cost In the event
OF war with Russia. vast number of
convlcts have been set to work in the coal
felds, harbor works are being construct.
cd and ammunition stored in The island.
Considering the enormous trade
OF Great Britain in the Pa
cihc, 1t is impossible to calculate
the effects Of this little piece OF diplomacy
on the part Of M. de Strive. Needless to
add that Sir Henry Parkes, who knew
nothing about the matter until cabled TO
him from London, was severely censured
| by the British government for his lncon-
ceiyable negligence. The japanese chief
OF bureau through whom the negotiations
for the exchange had been carried on, was
shortly afterward appointed as envoy OF
the mtkado TO st. Petersburg. His name
! Is Hanabusa. M. de Strive, who, be-
sides his diplomatic rank, is also
one OF the czar's chamberlains and
| priyy councillors has been powerfully
assisted in all his successes by
| his extremely clever wife. Nine.
de Strive is not beautiful, and her dresses
are simply outrageous in their cut and
ugliness, but as soon as ever she begins
to talk all her LONELINESS and eccentric
ity OF toilet are forgotten, and in every
saloon she will alwsys be the most en-
touree Of the ladies present while far
more beautiful women will be coldly neg
| lected. A Princess GalitZlln by birth,
she was before her marriage a maid OF
honor to the late empress. In intimate
correspondence with almost every states
man OF any Importance in Russia, she IS
OF the greatest assistance TO her hus-
band, whose own cleverness is apt to be
forgotten in the admiration which his
wife's talents and statecraft call forth.