The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1889-07-26
BUSY BUT QUIET.

Blaine a Very Industrious secre-
tary Of State, But Makes No
Noise About It.
WASHINGTON. July 15-ME Blaine q o very
busy secretary Of state. though far from be-
Ing . noisy one. He has disappointed the
hopes Of enemies and the fears Of friends
who expected theatrical and demonstrative
conduct OF foreign affaira There haa been
NO eagle screaming or fap-doodlc; no oifen-
sive advancement Of American pretcnsions;
no aggressive lntermeddling in the affairs of
other nations; not bit OF bull-in-a a-china-
chop diplomacy, in fine The history Of 1881
has not repeated itself in 1889. The admin
istration Of tho state department has been
modest, retioent, dignified aud decorous to
the outward view. 30 far a. its methods are
Observable, and 60 far as its results have
been developed, 1t Is 1udicious, intelligent.
arm and effective There 10 . disposition to
explain the contrast with eight years ago BY
dwelling upon tho differing traits Of charac-
ter Of Garfield and Harrison, and attributing
the better oounsels that prevail In the state
department to the guidance and restraint
Of drmer hand at tho White House. A
more agreeable explanation and one more
generally accepted BY unprejudiced persons
IL that years have brought wisdom, and ex-
perience has taught lessona
1t 10 growing upon tho understanding of
those who werO puzzled by some Of the early
incidents In the history OF this administra-
tion 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 10 concentrated
upon worthy achievement In the line of
duty. Instead of laying plans for the future,
he ID doing the work of the present Instead
Of building up party he Is managing de-
partmeut Instead Of running tho admtnis-
tration he is conducting its foreign affairs,
with all the force and capacity he has. and.
20 far as the most jealous critic can see, with
eingle-minded devotion to the public inter-
est aud frank loyalty to his chief This af-
fords scope large enough for any reason
able mans ambition. Never, since the set
tlement Of the Alabama claims dispute, has
80 wide and fertile field been open to the
achievements Of American diplomacy ~
now. The present administration hos such
An opportunity for service and distinction,
in the conduct OF foreign relatons a. has
not been offered 70 any government for Q
generation.
Nj. Blaine knows this well enough No
public man can help knowing it John
Sherman knew 1t, and that 10 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 It Is believed here that the secre-
tary of state ia 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 ts in frequent and close
conference with the British minister, who is
reported to have come to America under de-
tailed instructions aud fully charged to do
everything In bis power to reach an under
standing on all the points In dispute be-
tween the two countres. There fs good
ground for the belief, which has become very
general In Washington, that Mr.. Blaine and
Sir Julian Pauncefote are deeply engaged in
the confederation of broad basis of agree
ment upon which the two countries con ac-
commodate all their differences, II not in tho
actual framing of . treaty. to be presented
to the senate some time next winter.
The time is ripe for such general
treaty. and tho preliminary work fer
It has been done The minute de-
LAlleu eA6ulluuViOu Va VA0 AAouCAaNo 4uOb.
ton by the Chamberlain commission fur
nishes wealth Of material and clears the
way for subsequent negotiatcra In the
Dshring sen question thsro are no minute
and complicated details to examine. The
object to be reached there is an agreement
between tho United States and Great Britain
70 toiu In invitations to On International
conference to tako steps for tho protection
of the seal nurseries. The other points to
be settled. the Canadian canal tolls and the
privileges to be accorded tho international
railways, are simple. though vastly conse-
qusntial They do not call for prolonged in
cubation by mixed commission. All the
affairs between this country and Great
Britain are in such condition that treaty
state .ss'' and q minister plenipotentiafv is
iiasa factory as one painfully hammered out BY
. special commission. Another considers
dominion Of Canada would have to be re pre-
sented on a special commission. and both
nations huve 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 un acceptable
causcs of quarrel between the United States
and the British domniops, he would win for
1t a plouder and more enduring glory thaa
that enjoyed by many presidents. The ex-
pertinent lB WOktu Trying loE u muu WIZ Aas
has put away future ambition and
resolved to win such renown as ia 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 oil
points Of difference in blanket treaty. This
was plainly shown by its attitude III the
Behring sea question. Another straw ct in
ference is to be found In rumof current
here last week. When the application Of tho
Canadian Pacific for permission to bond its
Maine linewas Withdrawn. 1t was said. 1t 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 governmental Naturally the British min
lister would not proceed far without con-
sultaton and common action with the gov
eminent at Ostawa. IL Is easy to ace one
| thing: That any attempt to adjust by treaty
.he relations of Canadian railroads to Amcrt-
can traiac will have to be very prudently
ana delfcately made to escape trouble In the
| senate. committee of that body Is now in
vestigating the same subject and is likely to
have views of its own. L. A CAIsLE