New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-07-01

asked him to-day whether Mr.. Phelps's trousers
were designed according TO the prevailing pat
tern In Berlin. he certainly could not tell you.
But he would tell You that he was a strong man
and capable Minister with whom he had
transacted much business on basis satisfac-
tory TO botr parties: who had served his own
country and been respected and loved by the
people among whom he lived; and by none more
than by the Iron Chancellor himself. All this
and moro is known in Berlin. hut do not take
4 at second hard | know on what terms OF inti-
macy Mr. Phelps lived not with Prince Bismarck
only but with the whole family. l have seen
them in Berlin and in HomburE. where our MIN
lister spent one season while Princess Bismarck
was there.
Then, as before and since, Mr.. Phelps was an
invalid, and II added TO the affectionate regard
We all bore him to the courage and sweet
ness with which he endured the bitter physical
trials which beset him. Forttude Is an admira-
bic thing-most admirable OF all in delicate
frame with a representative nervous organza-
ton There were times when his surgeons and
physicians gave him little hope; never that
saw or ever heard of did they disturb the cheer
full serenity with which he faced pain and ex-
haustion and the prospect OF near death.
have said much more than intended about
the personal qualities and character OF this ad-
mirable American. but let 1t stand though It
obges me TO pass over In n sentence or two the
really DISTINGUISHED diplomatic career by which
he has le.t name in Europe. That is known
the results OF it are known: they are recorded
in the archives Of the State Department at
Washington. and also in Berlin where the MEM
ory OF his tact his mastery Of his subjects. his
nexibiity Of method coupled with an unnnch-
inc Of is confined
German Ministers and the official world gener-
ally with whom he was so much In contact. II
IS remembered Of him also that when he had
an end to gain he sometimes stepped outside Of
the diplomatic groove He adventurous. In
ventve. ready for emergencies. and capable OF
dealing with them In unexpected ways. The
bureaucrat perhaps shook his head;-he keeps
a head in order to shake It. and he IS always
shocked by a neglect Of the conventional. Not
50 Prince Bismarck or Count Herbert bismarck,
both OF whom in their time have done startling
things with but slight Difference to humdrum
conceptions Of etiquette They liked Mr.. Phelps
the better for his occasional independence Of
the artificial restraints by which weaker men
allowed themselves 70 be fettered.
Altogether, he has left his mark in Berlin; In
many worlds Of that huge. active. multifarlpus
capital toward which all Germany converges In
some respects II IS for Minister or Ambassa-
dor one OF the most trying OF all European
posts To hava spent four years there and 10
leave behind him q reputation for probity. for
force OF character for social ascendancy. for the
special kind Of ability which a dplOmatlst
usually acquires by the long training and ira
ditlons which are wanting and must be wanting
to an American-ths Is a high achievement All
this and more IS TO be said 81 Mr. Phelps. and
when It has been said there remains tribute
Of a different and more personal kind which all
who knew him would offer still more gladly. Il
IS not permissible 10 say In print all one would
like 10 say. but do not conceive how any writer
who knew him could suppress altogether the
avowal Of the deep personal attachment he IN
spired. Even journalist may lay his wreath
on the grave % a lamentei and honorcd friend
c. " g