The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-06-26
CALL TT BOTANY BAY.
WASHINGTON IS so DESIGNATED BY
FOREIGN DIPLOMATS.

why Foreign Nations senn D'>N'e"''eo
Recommendation to This Conptry-Un-
.o,v aeeord. OF Diplomats Who
Rave Been Lionized in Washington
Especial Corresponcence.]
WASHINGTON. June 2l-Oftentimes do
read IN The newspapers here remarks OF an
rncounl,mentary nature concerning the
average class q men 70 whom the United
States government is accustomed 10 IN
,,us, ia official representation abroad, and
freonentiy hear my American friends
arguing that only persons OF the highest
social standing, breeding and political en-
inepce should be accredited as ENJOYS Of
this great republic to foreign courts aud
states. Indeed the subject appears 70 be
favorite theme Of conversation.
Without entering into any discussion as
n whether they are justified or not in
their assertions, would venture TO observe
that il the character Of the average envoy
NJ the United States abroad is open 10 crit
| icism. identically the same thing may be
said with regard 10 the class OF the foreign
diplomats stationed AZ Washington. AL
| though the United States is in every sense
OF the word one of the great powers, yet
| for some reason or other Washington has
always been regarded by foreign diplo-
mats. and by their governments as well,
| not even as second, but rather as a third
rate mission. Copenhagen, Brussels, The
Hague, Lisbon, and even Bucharest and
Athens. stand higher in the class OF diplO-
matte promotion than Washington, which
IS looked upon as one Of the least desira-
BILE stations in the entire diplomatic
service One of the main causes Of It's I'M
popularity Is it's long distance from home.
Athens. Bucharest and Copenhagen are
all within easy reach OF Paris and Of Lon
dom and frequent flying visits 20 ones ma
tive city or else TO the gay metropolis on
the banks Of the Seine can readily be made.
Washington, however IS so far away that
an annual trip across the Atlantic is about
all that one can hope for, and diplomatic
appointmeut there involves what many Of
us are accustomed TO regard as an exile
pleasant 10 is here, but nevertheless an ex-
lie. To such an extent is this the case that
quite a large number Of foreign ENJOYS are
unable 10 prevail upon their wives TO ac-
company them 20 this country.
II is for this reason among Others that
foreign diplomats are wont 10 bring into
play oil the Influences that they can com
mand in order 70 avoid being sent TO Wash
ington. The result is that the foreign dip
lomatic corps az Washington consists in
the greater part Of persons who do not pos
sess in their own country the considera-
ton. the rank and the influence which the
a -, -
and grandeur is entitled TO look for among
the representatives accredited 70 its gov
eminent
am quite prepared for the protests and
even indignation which this assertion may
call forth But a brief enumeration Of the
foreign diplomats who have been stationed
in Washington during the last two de
cades will think prove sufficient TO silence
oil those who dispute the truth of my
statements. IN all these twenty years
there has only been one single diplomat OF
first GLASS rank, reputation and eminence
accredited TO your federal government. It's
NJ De Strive, the dignitary who now rep
resents the car in this country He is a
son of the celebrated orientalist and as
tronomer Frederick Won Strive, and
brother Of the present chief astronomer
Of the empire Commencing his ca
reer in the Aaatio department OF the
Muscovite foreign Office, ne first won
bis spurs as chief secretary 20 the
governor general of Turkestan, where,
owing 70 his oeaseless activity, he soon be
came the bette noir Of the British Indian
government Both at the foreign Office at
Calcutta and at the Indian anu foreign
offices in London the mere mention OF bis
name Is sufficient 20 cause an unpleasant
little shiver. For, besides counteracting
the English everywhere in central Asia,
while attached 10 the governor general Of
Turkestan. he subsequently, as minister at
Toxic created CONSERVATION in London by
secretly and successfully negotiating the
exchange Of the barren Kurile islands be
longing 10 the car for that half Of the
Sanghalien island owned by the japanese.
Considering the enormous trade of Great
Britain in the Pacific, it is almost impos-
sible 10 calculate the disastrous effects 10
England OF this clever piece Of diplomacy
on the part Of VI. de Strive The latter.
besides his post of minister plenipotena-
airy, is a chamberlain OF the emperor and a
privy councillor. and his retention at Wash
ington is a striking proof Of the great i'm
portance which his imperial master at
taches 10 the friendship Of the United
States.
Russia however, is alone in paying
America this compliment, and none Of the
other powers, great or small, have seen fit
10 follow her example France, Germany,
Austria, Italy and England generally adopt
a Numerically opposite course. At the
time when NJ. Roustan was first sent 60
Washington TO represent France, he was
so entirely and completely discrsdited and
disgraced that no European power would
consent 10 receive him. Only six weeks
before bis appointment as minister 10 the
United States, the procureur general de Ia
republique, or attorney general OF tho gov
eminent had used the following words
during the suit for criminal libel which
he, Roustan, had been forced by bis superi-
ors 10 bring against the journalist Roche
fort. If, gentlemen Of the Jury. you de-
eide that the defendant, Rochefort, is not
guilty Of libel, then you declare thereby
that the prosecutor, Roustan, Is a thief
and an utterly dishonorable man. that be
accepted brides through his mistress. that
be bartered and sold French and Tunisian
offices, and that be used his position az
French minister at Tuns 10 cause rises
and falls in the prices OF Tunisian bonds
for the benefit OF his own specuiations II
in your opinion NJ Roustan is guilty OF
i..ar f.rtr -. 1