The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1889-07-18
BUSY BUT QUIET.
Blaine Very industrious Secre-
tary of State. But Makes No
Noise About 1t.

WASHINGTON July l5-Mr. Blaine Is q 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 a theatrical and dcmOnStraLlVe
conduct OF foreign affairs There has been
no eagle screaming or t1ap-dOodle; no onen-
slvo advancement OF American pretenstons;
no aggressive lntermeddl1ng in the affairs OF
other nations; not bit OF bull-ln-a-chlna-
shop diplomacy, in fine The history OF 1881
has not repeated itself in 1889. The admin
lstratton OF the state department has been
modest, reticent, dIgnlticd and decOrous to
the outward view. So far Rs its methods are
observable, and 50 far as its results have
been developed, it is judicious, intelligent,
firm and effective. There is disposition to
explain the contrast with eight years ago by
dwelling upon the differing traits of chArac
ter OF Garfield aud Harrison, and attribut!ng
the better counsels that prevail III the state
department. to the guidance and restraint
of a tirmel hand at the White House. A
more agreeable explanation and one more
generally accepted by unprejudjced persons
Is that years have brought wisdom and eX-
perence 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 admlnlstra-
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 i'll the line OF
duty Instead of laying plans for the future,
he is doing the work OF the present Instead
of building up party he IS managing de-
Dartment Instead of running the admlulS-
tratiOn he is conducting its foreign affairs,
with all the force aud capacity he haH, and,
so far as the most jealous critic can see with
single minded devotion to the public utter
est and frank loyalty to his chief This at
fOrds a scope large enough for any reason
able mans ambition Never since the set
Element of the Alabama claims dispute, has
so wide and 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 we'll enough. No
public man can help knowing it. John
sherman knew it, and that is why he was
|
the state department. There is matter
enough in our existing relations with Great
Britain alone to make the reput alton of one
diplomat 1t is believed here that the secre-
tarv of state is making a 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
. to boU tn o
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 MI. Blaine and
Sir Julian Pauncetote are deeply engaged in
the consideration OF broad basis of agree
ment upon which the two countries can &C
commodate all their differences, if not i'll the
actual framing of a treaty, to be presented
/ to the senate some time next winter
The time is ripe for such 4 general
treaty, and the preliminary work for
1T has been done. The minute de-
tailed examination of the fisheries ques-
ton by the Chamberlain commission fur
nishes u wealth of material and clears the
way for subsequent negotiatCrs In the
Benring 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 invitations to an international
conference to take steps for the protection
of the seal nurseries. The other points to
be settled, the Canadian canal tolls and the
privileges to be accorded the international
ratlwava, are simple, though vastly cOnse-
quenttaL They do not call for prolonged in
CubaGiOn by mixed commission. All the
affairs between this country and Great
/ Britain are in such condition that treaty
state and u minister plenipotentIarv is
likely to prove quite as salts
factory as one painfully hammered out by
u special commission. Another cOnSidera-
ton in favor OF direct negotlatiOnsis that the
dominion of Canada would have to be repre-
sented on a special commission. and both
nations have learned that this doubles the
difficulty and delay and the risk of ultimate
failure Besides, if the secretary OF state
could identify his name with an acceptable
and successful treaty quoting 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 blanket treaty. This
was plainly shown by its attitude IN the
Behrlng sea question. Another straw of in
ference is to be found in a 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 tor 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-
suItation and common action with the gov
eminent at Ottawa. IL is easy to see one
thing: That any attempt to adjust by treaty
the relations of Canadian railroads to Ameri
can traffic will have to be very prudently
, and deicaCely made to escape trouble in the
senate committee of that body is now in
yestigating the same subject and is likely tc
have views of its own. F. A. earle.