New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-11-06
NJ. DE STRIVE.
HIS REMOVAL TO THE HAGUE WILL BE RE-
GREETED IN AMERICA

and at the same time the cleverest OF all the en-.
voys who have ever been sent 70 represent foreign
countries in the United States. and it has always
appeared to me that the Gar had given proof
of the immense importance which he attaches 10
the friendship Of this Nation when he appointed
so distinguished diplomat as NJ de Struve 10
represent his interests in America. For 1t y
no exaggeraton to assert that NJ. Strive enjoys
prestige and a fame in political, and official
circles throughout the world, 10 which none OF
his colleagues at Washington can lay claim.
son of the celebrated Orientaist and astronomer
Frederick Won Strive. and the brother of tile
present Chief Astronomer Of the Russian Govern
nent the departing Minister'S connection with
that science has been limited to the stars Of Mus
covite and foreign orders which cover his breast
lie began his career in the marvelously organized
Asatic department Of the ST. Petersburg Foreign
Office. and won his spurs as principal secretary
70 the GovernOr-General of Turkestan. where,
owing TO his unceasing activity and widespread
influence. he soon became the bette noire OF the
Brtish-Tndian Government. Both at the Foreign
Office at Calcutta and ut the Indian Offce In
London the mention Of NJ. de Strives name still
to this dav causes an unpleasant little shiver.
II was in Japan that first had the pleasure OF
making his acquaintance, and | remember thas
surprise was expressed at the time that man Of
his calibre should have been removed from the
sphere of action where he was doing such excel
lent service and intrusted with the comparatively
unimportant japanese mission. Establishing him
self in the pleasant Legation building at Toxic
he gave 10 most people the impression that he was
the most INDECENT of men that he had thrown
diplomacy to the dogs and that his sole aim In
life was to excel at croquet l well recall the
amused contempt with which the British envoy.
Sir Henry Parke. who had been warned about MIN.
Al. LII htc
sian colleague. lie was completely thrown OIL his
guard Garden parties, dinners and picnics were
the order of the day at the Russian Legation. and
the only things that seemed to engage the attention
NJ NJ DO Strive and of his clever and brilliant
wife were croquet, the collection Of quantity
shapcd teapo,s and the disrcnsation of the most
gracious hospitality.
The OILY thing which used always strike me at tho
Russian Legation the special attention on"
courtesy with which the Chiefs OF bureau oil inc
Japanese Foreign Office were treated By ooti the
Minister and Nine. de Strive. Inc fF'ish
envoy considered himself far too great man
ever to notice tine existence Of such uniinpor'a"v
people as these minor officials, and even trea'eu
the japanese Ministers of State themselves as II
| they mere children.
Suddenly ono day the English Mission az lokio
was thrown into a state Of CONSERVATION oy inc
/ IL
information had been received from 81. re'erS-
| burg that NJ de Strive had succeeded III per-
suadlng the japanese to exchange their nall OF
! tho Sanphalien Island for the barren hurilo
| Islands previously belonging TO Russia In order
! 10 appreciate the immense Importance OF 'hiS
| exchange the following facts must De taken in'o
consideration The island Of Sanghallen had
until then been divided into two distinct parts
the northern and absolutely barren portion nel's
owned bv Russia. while the southern part, WIN
| Us magnificent coal fields. its vast mineral "eai0a
and extensive natural harbors, belonged TO Japan
The only port which the Russians nave on t'io
Pacific coast of Siberia is NladlvostocK' which
10 frozen ND and useless during eight months OF
! the year. Therefore, in the case OF war WIN
England and of the strict observance of neutrality
hy Japan and China the Cars Governments
would have been unable TO maintain fleet dur
nr the greater portion Of The year in the Pacific
! Ocoop owing 10 the impossbity Of obtaining
regular supplies of either fuel, ammunition OF
| nrovisions lSy the acquisition OF the southern
norton OF Sanghalien the Russians have now
/ rcmndied this want rs tic British colonies In
| Australasia and elsewhere will find . theT cos'
! in the event of a with Russia. vast mum
hcr os conyicts have been set TO work in the coal
fields Uarbor works are being constructed anu
| ammunition stored in the island Considering the
enormous trade of Great Britain in the Pacihc, ~
is impossible 10 calculate the effect OF TINS httie
piece of diplomacy on the part Of NJ de strive
!, Is rccdess for me 10 add hatt Sir Henry ParSe.
! who knew nothing about the matter uhti !"
was cabcd 70 him from London was severely
! ccnsnrod by the British Government Tor MS
negligence The japanese Chief OF Bureau
,brouoh whom the negotiations for the exchange
| had boon carried on, was subsequently, appoihu"u
~ Envoy OF the Mkado 70 ST. Petersburg. Ills
name is lIannobusa.
VI do Strive was. I need scarcely add, I'M
mcnsely assisted in all his successes, both diplo-
! matte ard social. by his brilliantly clever WHO
who was sister of General Annenkoh. the creator
! of tie Trans-C aspian and Central Asian haii-
! rad One of The sisters of Nine. de Strive Is
morcanaticaliy married 20 q member OF the I'M
pcrial family of Russia, and bears the ti'ie oil
| Counties. de- Beauharnais. AT Toxic Mmc. oe
Strive was the life and SOIL Of the Foreign Oooy'
o,o, wLom she reipncd supreme. even the Eng
| lish Yielding her ready aud Wiling a'"si""0''
Nv most, pleasant recollections of Japan are asso-
! ciated with the Russian Legation, where IKE ."
many Others. | was always certain to ma
Kindly and genial welcome, and the most dainty
and attractive fare both regards the taois
and conversation the lead Of the latter being, OF
| course invariably taken by our accomplished
hostess.
! NJ dc S-ruve's transfer from Washington 70
The Hague is only another evidence OF me Vaiue
which his Government attaches TO his diplomatic
sagacity and cleverress. For. IN view vi ."e
designs which Germany so manlfestiy enertains
,,b r,o,rd IN an eventual absorption OF the
| Netherlands and the transformation oil AnsteruaW
into German Cronstadt, it is Of the utmose
imnortonce that Russia should have some capable
man on the spot TO keep track of GERMAN
pans at The Hague, and to counteract them
"a far rs possible The situation in Hol-
land lust now is peculiarly favorable for tho
| o,orcisa Of NJ de Strives diplomatic powers
For while the Court is altogether German In its