The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-04-30
THE REJECTION OF MR.. BLAIR.
Harrison Makes No Comment Inter
view with the Chinese Miniater.

view with the Chinese Miniater.
DEE MONTE. CAL, April cs.-The president was
informed this evening that the Chinese emperor
had notified his minister at Washington City of
his unwillingness to receive Mr.. Blair, the newly
appointed American minister TO China The
president said it was news to him, but made no
other comment
WAsHISGroS CIrr, April "a representa-
tive Of the Associated Press this morning called
at the Chinese legation here and had an inter-
view with Minister Yen in regard to the declina-
ton Of his government to receive Senator Blair
as the accredited representative OF the United
States. Yen said, through an interpre-
ter, that he had received . cablegram
from the Chinese foreign once which
be was instructed to lay hefore Secretary
nsaine without delay, expressing the unwilling
ness OF the emperor to receive B3adE. Other
than this Yen had received ~ Instructions,
written or Othcrwise, from his government on
the subject The exact language Of Ne cable,
or whether reasons for this action were given, he
failed to state. Personally he had very hiSh
opinion Of Senator Blair. At the time Senator
Blair was nominated az minister to China Yen
was in Peru, to which government he il also the
representative Of China, and did not return to
the United States until early in the present
month. He never had occasion to ascertain
what had been Senator Blair's attitude to China
or Chinese residents in this country, and not un-
Chinese question as reported in the ConqressionoI
Record cen brought to his attention. The min
lister conveyed the impression that he had sim-
ply stated the facts to his government. and aside
from that had not sought to influence its decis-
ion either favorably TO the senator or unfavor-
ably. This action of the Chinese authorities has
not created the least excitement, a. Il had been
anticipated by many from the first The pro-
ceeding is not very unusual one, and cannot
be construed ~ indicating an unfriendly feeling
toward this government
Among state department officials there Is a
general indisposition 70 discuss the subject OF
Blairs rejection, but still il is evident there is
no general desire to magnify the incident into
the proposition Of diplomatic rupture 1t is .
long established rule in diplomacy that nation
Is not Obliged to accept minister who is not a
persona 0rato. and that rejection on that account
Is not to be construed into an intended affront to
the dignity of the nation which sends the min
lister. Altogether the opinion in official circles
is general that, after waiting for length Of time
sufficient to maintain the national dignity, .
minister viii be appointed by President Harri-
son.
CHICAGO. April 2S.-Ex-S Senator Blair, the new
minister to China, arrived here this morning
and was questioned regarding the report that
the Chinese government had submitted 10 the
department of state formal protest against his
being sent to China. II have received no off,
clat notice OF sGch protest., Sasu Mr. blalf.
"All that know about 1t Is what have seen in
the newspapers may be permitted 10 doubt
its correctness, for the reason the state depart
ment knows am en- route to China, and ifit has
been decided to recall me il would have done so
without delay. / shall not stop here any longer
than originally intended in order TO await on
ciai information. If hear nothing
from Washington City by tomorrow /
shall proceed to San Francisco and
sail from that point do not think, of course.
that there is any good reason why China should
object to me. Neither do believe the Chinese
govern ment thinks So During my service in
congress whatever did, l did from conviction;
whatever l did in the matter of Chinese immi-
grafton also received the Endorsement OF the
government. and the government is responsible,
not personally. 1t is incredible that nation
would seek to enforce personal liability, es-
pecialy at this late day
LATER-Tonight Blair received a telegram
from Secretary OF State Blaine, requesting him
to return to Washington City. The message
contained no other information, and Mr. Blair
will go hack tomorrow. lie said he had had no
official notification of any change, and knew
nothing OF the rumors that he is to be sent 10
Japan or Persia. Until receipt of the message
he was not aware that he was not 10 continue
his journey TO China. So far Official EnowI-
edge is concerned. he is still accredited 10 that
country. Personally be does not care whethes
he goes or stays