New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-01-19
DTPLONICY And PIRTJS1 NSHIP

When Mr. Gladstone returned 10 power in
$50 many Of his Radical supporters clamored
or an Immediate reversal Of the diplomatic
! olicc, Of the Foreign Office They asserted
hat the elections had been carried mainly on
he issue Of Lori Beaconsield's campaign OF
NJ !lcsomc Intervention and pcrniciOuS activ-
lty ia foreign affairs and that the English pco-
plr having condemned his policies, had Il right
Ia demand q radical change in diplomatic meth
obs. Mr.. Gladstone replied 70 these lIOispurS
with that conservatism which has been char
actcristic of his career. notwithstanding all its
sharp transitions and transformations Of con-
victiuns He urged that II was necessary 10
maintain so far as possible continuity Of adj
ministration especially in foreign affairs. He
EXPLAINED that while the new Ministry had not
been i'm sympathy with Lord Bcaconsfc eds pol
icy of intrigue and adventure. they were under
obligation 10 adapt themselves 10 existing con-
ditious and to avoid 4 sudden break. or any
sharp divergence In The conduct OF diplomatic
Questions The honor and dignity Of the nation
would bc compromised if they were to act ms
offensive pnrtsans and To rcvolutionize the
poicicS II the Foreign Office
Continuity Of policy is one Of the oldest and
best traditions of British diplomacy. The rule
followed whenever new Ministry has gone
into Office Lord Roscbcry when he entered the
Foreign Ollicc continued the work of Lord Sails
bury without change Of direction or methods.
That has been the uniform practice not only
I'm England. but also In the United States. Who
eyer studies the history Of American diplomacy
cannot fail 10 be- impressed with its unity ana
consistency. II has been conducted on con'lni-
ous lines since the times Of Washington ana
Monroe Every great Secretary OF state has
respected m" pr"cclcntS of the department. ana
has based his OWE practice upon established
principles and methods Of procedure. When
ever there has been a chang" Of ADMINISTRATION
t,.c Incoming Secretary has considered 1t 10 he
BIS first ana paramount duty 10 act. not ms po-
liiica partisan. but Is the representative of the
American people in conducting their foreign re-
lations with dignity and consistency. When
ever there have been departures from this prac-
lice the honor Of the Nation has been compro-
M .rI and American diplomacy las fallen into
disrcpuic.
Su,h dcpariurcs there have been under each
Il President Clcyclaud's Administrations. Sec
rotary Hayard's fisheries policy WAS In direct
cuntraycntion Of President ArlhurS prorlama-
ton ahr,gating certain clauses Of th" Treaty
or WASHINGTON III n WIFI al ''l l'iHN'H
hv Congress- Those clauses were uncons,ituiion-
ally continued in operation. and arbitration was
subsequently substituted for retaliation in deli
ancc of H." viii ~ Congress. The Chamberlain
I;ayard treaty WaS not only Illegally n"go-
latcd. bui it also involved remuneration of the
historical fisheries rights OF the American peo-
Die. which were among the earliest diplomatic
questions taken M 10y the State Department
after the Revolution. In like manner the Pres
idrnt's Hawaiian policy embodied an Immediate
reversal uf the action Of his predecessor in
Office. and a rcnunciaton Of principles accepted
bv a long line ~ Secretaries of State. As I'M
constitutional and Illegal in methods of pro-
cclurc rs Secretary BayIrd's conduct of the
fisheries question had been il was tainted with
partsanship OF the most offensive type. Now
that the base intrigue for the restoration Of n
bloodthirsly Queen has ended In shame and
colln;,sc the motive Of the policy Is revealed
I'm its true light. II was IN infamous attempt
On the part uf The President 10 discrcdlt his
predecessor and diplomatic agent employed
and lunorcd by him and Secretary Blaine.
That WIS the base purpose for which the lia-
waiinn policy of one Administration was re-
vcrsrd by another in defiance Of the Constitu-
ton AMI of international practice. and Amcri-
can diplomacy made the laughing stock of the
civilized world