Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1889-09-19

Fac C0nyerses Upon "a variety OF
European Topics.

European Topics.
The Hon. George II. Bates, United States
commissioner on the Samoan treaty, ar
rived here on Thursday from New York,
He came from Liverpool 10 tue steamer
City OF New York. MIR. Bates had very
pleasant voyage from Europe. There was
no rough water. The time from the F5sinet
to Sandy Hook was days. hours and II
minutes, He was not accompanied by Mrs.
Bates and their son. Mrs. Bates had
rassage engaged with some friends some
Iime ago to leave on the City of Paris Sep
TENDER 18th. The Hon. Chaunesy NJ.
Depew and Senator Sherman were among
the passengers aboard the City OF New
York.
Mr.. Bates looks extremely we'll and IA
considerably embrowned. He was found
at his Office on Friday morning by a repre-
sentative OF the GAZETTE.
He expected to be at home much earlier,
but was detained on business and took
passage by the first steamer he could get
after his business was concluded.
On being asked as to whether he cunsid-
cred the treaty, as 1t now stands, will affect
any future International complications,
Mr.. Bates said that It was impossible for
him at this time TO say anything respecting
either the terms or the effect OF the treaty.
In view of the necessity OF Its being sub
mitted to the Senate before our government
would he bound by 1t, 1t WAS necessary that
the treaty remain unpublished until the
action OF the Senate upon 1t. AS my col
league, Mr.. Phelps, very well expressed 1t,
We have all come home with diplomatic
paddock on our lips.
"Has the United States secured soma per-
manent harbur or port OF commercial ma
ture exclusive OF government coaling sta.
tion2"
Mr.. Bates-"For many years the United
States has possessed treaty rights for q
hp U
good harbor In the Samoan Islands, which
IA also one of the very bes. In ths Pacific.
30 far a5 harbor rights are concerned,
therefore, there has been no necessity for
any new treaty.
Glow were you impressed with your
associates In the conference; 10 other words
are we as big a country over there as We
deem ourselves to be- over hereT
Mr.. BateB-"There ts no lack OF respect
either for the United States or lts citizens
or representatives. Tho marvellous growth
OF our country has very thoroughly i'm
pressed itself upon the governments OF
Europe, and the commanding position OF
our country Is perfectly well understood.
Our representatives abroad ara accorded
the utmost confederation and that In spits
OF the fact that Congress has up to this
time seen fit to send TO the principal capitals
OF Europe permanent representatives Of a
lower diplomatic rank than those Who rep
sesent NOT only the great powers but even
the minor ones of Europe"
How ware you impressed with Prince
Bismarck"
Mr.. Bates--"I met Prince Bismarck only
only once. Ee lives very retired life and
very few strangers see him, but by invita-
tion we called on him one day soon after
our arrival there and had Il very pleasant
visit. The conversation was entirely un-
oflcial and on different matters. He 10 a
man OF g! eat physical and mem al force, O.,
commanding Appearance, and speaks
entirely informal Though he Is quite an
old man he shows no abatement In either
physical or mental 20 wers. Hs Ia very tall
and has very slight steep which Is not
very perceptible."
sol course you met Count Herbert Bis
Inarck ~
Mr.. Bates-"Yes, saw him frequently.
He was a member Of the conference aud
was its president. He Is a man In the
prime of life, speaks English with nuepcy
having resided two years In England In a
diplomatic capacity. He Is undoubtedly
fully equal to the position which he oecu-
pies as head Of the foreign oifice."
.Did you see the emperor p
Mr.. Bates-"Yes, frequently, though
was not formally presented to him,"
"Dld you notice any physical inhrmity
about one OF his arns?"
Mr.. Bates-"No, did not. although ssve-
thi ltIuos quttt uedr hubW tuhL nc
was understood to have some inflrmity In
one OF his arms, but he carries himself 30
well that do not think any one could no.
tlee IT,
sis he a soldierly looking mani"
Mr.. Bates-"Ysry mach so, and presents
flne figure on horseback and rides ex.
tremely well--is man OF medium height,
very compactly built and with an exceed
ingly stern cast OF countenanee. confess
my Impressions OF this young emperor
were very much changed. 1 shared what
bslieve to be the popular impression In this
country that he was mere soldier, caring
for little else. found on the contrary thai
while giving very much attention to his
army and navy, he is a close student. NOT
only speaking English we'll but much
better acquainted with English literature
than the average educated American OF his
age. One OF our naval officers who had
q long conversation with him told me thai
the emperor discussed with him In English
the construction of naval vessels, with an
accuracy OF knowledge as to details and O
use of technical English naval terms which
astonished him."
The reporters call was cut short by the
incursion Of large number OF friends who
had come TO greet the returned com
missioner.