New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1889-07-24
BUSY BUT QUIET

Blaine a Very Industrious Secre-
tary Estate, But Makes No
Noise AboutIt.
WASHINGTON, July 10 MIR Bsaine is very
.basy secretary of state, though far from be-
ing noisy one. BE has disappointed the
hopes Of enemies and the fears of friends
who expected theatrical and demonstrative
conduct of foreign affairs There has been
uoeagle screaming or flap doodle; no often
size advancement of American pretensions;
no aggressive intermeddling in the affairs of
other nations; not bit Of ball ina china
shop diplomacy, in fine. The history of 1881
has not repeated itself in 1889. The admin
astration of the state department has been
modest, reticent. d1gnlfed and decorous to
the outward view. So far as its methods are
observable, and SO far as its results have
been developed, it Is judicions, intelligent.
drn and effective. There is;a disposition to
explain the contrast with eight years ago by
dwelling upon the differing traits of charac-
ter of Garfield and Harrison, and attributing
the better counsels that prevail in the state
department to the guidance and restraint
of sas6rmer hand at the White House. A
more agreeable exploration and one more
generally accepted by appropriated persons
is thas years have brougilt wisdom and ex-
perience has taught lessons
1t is growing upon the understanding of
those who were puzzled by some of the early
incidents in the history OF this adminisura-
ton that Blaine has lost neither ambition
nor energy; but that his energy is restrained
by Judgment, and that his ambition has lost
the intense personal tinge and is concentrated
upon worthy achievement in the line of
duty Irstead of laying plans for the future,
he is doing the work Of the present Instead
of building up party he Is managing a de-
partment Instead of running the admins
tration he is conducting it's foreign affairs,
with all the force and capacity he has, and,
SO far as the most jealous critic can see, with
single-mindeG devotion to the public inter
est and frank loyalty to his chief. This at
fords 3 scope large enough for any reason
able mans ambition. Never, since the set
Element of the Alabama claims dispute, has
SO wide aud fertile a field been open to the
achievements of American diplomacy as
now. The present administration has such
an opportunity for service and distinction.
in the conduct of foreign relations, as has
not been offered to any government for a
generation.
Mr. Blaine knows this well enough No
public man can help knowing it. John
Sherman knew it, and that is why he was
willing to give up his place in the senate for
the state department There is matter
enough in our existing relations with Great
Britain alone to make the reputation Of one
diplomat 1t is believed here that the secre-
tary of state is making most careful study
of these relations into which he is putting
all the energy and capacity of his nature
1t is certain that he is in frequent and close
conference with the British minister, who is
reported to have come to America under de-
tailed instructions and fully charged to do
everything in his power to reach an under
standing on all the points in dispute be-
tween the two countries. There is good
ground for the belief, which has become very
general in Washington, that Mr. Blaine and
Sir Julian Pauncefote are deeply engaged In
the consideration Of broad basis Of agree
ment upon which the two countries can &C
oommodate all their differences, If not in the
actual framing of a treaty, to be presented
to the senate some time next winter.
The time is ripe for such a general
treaty, and the preliminary work fer
it has been done. The minute de-
tailed examination of the fisheries ques-
ton by the Chamberlain commission fur
nishes wealth Of material and clears the
way for subsequent negotiatcrs In the
Behring sea question there are no minute
and complicated details to examine. The
object to be reached there is an agreement
between the United States and Great Britain
TO Join in invitstions to an International
conference to take steps for the protection
- ,ot rr1 TNtn0 <hn~ @fy,%r ~
be settled, the Canadian canal tolls and the
privileges to be accorded the international
railways are simple. though vastly con Sc
quential They do not call for prolonged in
cubation by mixed commission. All the
affairs between this country and Great
negotiated directly by the secretary of
state and minister plenipotentlarV is
likely to prove quite as salts
factory as one painfully hammered out by
a special commission. Another considera-
ton in favor OF direct negotiation is that the
dominion of Canada would have to be re pre-
sented on special commission. and both
nations have learned that this doubles the
difficulty and delay and the risk of ultimate
failure. Besides, ii the secretary of state
could identify his name with an acceptable
and successful treaty quieting all present
causes of quarrel between the United States
and the British dominiops, he would win for
it plouder and more enduring glory than
that enjoyed by many presidents The ex-
pertinent is worth trying for man who has
has put away future ambition and
resolved to win such renown as is to be had
in the station in life in which God has placed
him.
There is reason to believe that the British
government would be glad to settle all
points of difference in a blanket treaty. This
was plainly shown by it's attitude IN the
Behring sea question Another straw cf in.
ference is to be found in rumor current
here last week. When the application of the
Canadian Pacific for permission to bond its
Maine line was withdrawn. it was said, it was
because the question was going to the state
department. for settlement. The overture
from the Ottawa government for reciprocity
in the lumber trade may be another betray-
ing indication of what is going on between
the governments. Naturally the British min
lister would not proceed far without con-
sultation and common action with the gov