Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-03-21
DIPLOMATIC PROBLEMS
Considerable Speculation as to How They
Will Be Solved.
The State Department Closely Watch
ed for Political Purposes-The
ThurxtOn Incident.

There Is considerable speculation in po-
litical circles over the probable political
effect of the outcome Of the diplomatic
problems now confronting the administra-
tion. Aside from the high moral and pa
triotic ground from which every one is
supposed to view the dealings of this
country With foreign nations, is the nearer
aspect presented by the inseparable rela-
tion of the situation to domestic politics.
The dealings of an administration with
foreign countries have, from time i'm
memorial, been regarded as legitimate
basis for making party capital by the par
ty in power. and as a cause for partisan
criticism from the opposition. There is
no reason to think that it will be different
in the present instance, in the opinion of
those who are viewing the matter from
the political standpoint, and there is, con-
seQuently, an amount of guessing going on
as to whether the administration will be
subject to criticism or implied congratula-
tfon by the time Congress meets.
The Administration Anxious.
1t is said that the administration is anx-
ious to make a good record in the settle
ment of pending and impending difficulties
and would like very much to have the mat
ters cleared away before Congress assem-
bles, SO that there will be no excuse for a
republican Congress to take any possible
eign affairs. The congratulate heaped
upon the State Department for the con-
duct of this government in the Alliance af-
fair Is said to have whetted the appetite
of the administration for more praise, and
politicians are wondering why the admin
istration, having tasted the pleasures of
praise should have quickly laid itself
open to a idal wave of criticism by it's
action in the Thurston matter. The parti-
san tallykeepers have already scored a
black mark against the administration, to
be called up when Congress meets.
Close Watch On the Stnte Department
A very close watch is being maintained
upon the actions of the State Department
by the opposition, who are laying up ma
terial for making party capital in the next
Congress. There is said to be feeling In
some quarters that the administration
needs to be very careful, for the reason
that it would not take much further provo
cation, upon the top of what has already
been done In the Hawaiian affair In the
past twelve months. to precipitate i'm
parchment proceedings against officials. of
whatever rank, who might offend against
the wishes of Congress.
Among democrats there is feeling that
opportunities will present themselves with
in the next few months for the administra-
ton to make a brilliant record, with luster
sufficient to reflect itself even into the next
campaign. 1t is acknowledged that the
peculiar perplexities of the situation con-
fronting this government will necesstate
careful management, but they say that the
credit will be thereby the greater If they
reach ss hapny ISSUE aBt e ~ tssir tronssss
tide over the summer with a good foreign
record they will be in excellent shape to go
into Congress, and pointing with pride to
their achievements in the executive branch,
take their places Us censors and critics of
the republican management Of the legis-
lative branch.