Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-05-25

any of the business of the country he re-
fused to attend these meetings. The jap
anese secretary of state was horrifed. He
knew he could not get along without Amer
lea and he came to Hubbard at the Ameri-
can legation. He wanted to know what
was the matter. Governor Hubbard said:
Il don't think that Japan cares anything
for the United States. and if so, don't
see why the United States should care for
Japan"
What do you mean?" asked the Japan
II mean," replied Governor Hubbard,
that whenever you have anything TO give
to foreign country, you give it to Ger
many. England or France. The United
States has been your friend all along. but
you never think of giving US anything.
1 know that England and France and Ger
many make their friendship the price Of
foreign contracts. We don't want to do
BY; s '' ~ ~
What do you want?" said the Japanese
minister. 1--WE will give it to you"
Il don't know that we want anything"
replied Governor Hubbard. Except to be
fairly treated. And. besides, I don't know
that you have anything to give. You have
already given ali your contracts to Eng
land and Germany"
We'll, I will tell you what we will
do" replied the Japanese minister
There are the electric lights for the new
palace, which is now being built. We are
considering some American contracts
among others, and though there is great
pressure from France and Germany on be-
half of their electric firms, l viii promise
you here and now that We will put in the
American lights"
Il don't want your promise replied
Governor Hubbard. IAN 1 ask is that
America be given n show.
With this the Japanese minister ieft,
and shortly afterward the Edison electric
lights were chosen for the palace. There
was nothing too good for Governor HUB
l,,,r1 4tnf fir,,a an mr.
was, he made his country respected. II
our ministers would show more nerve and
would study more how they could beaen'
their country instead Of devoting them
selves to lining their stomachs and their
pockets. the United States would DE in bet
ter condition all the world over.
Business and Diplomacy.
The trouble with most of our foreign
diplomats is that they have no idea of
pushing American business. They think If
they have the American flag floating from
the top of their legation building they are
doing their whole duty. and they let Amer
leans and American interests fight for
themselves. The present minister to Japan
is the best we have had for years, ana the
consul general at Yokohama is practical
lawyer, who is ready to do anything he
can for American business men. The min
lister to Corea is more of college professor
than a business man, but the private secre-
tary, Dr.. H. n. Allen. is as full of horse
sense as an egg is full of meat, and the
legation will probably take good care of
American interests. Now that the Chinese
envoy Yuan has gone away, there will be
a chance for Americans to get concessions.
A year or so ago Mr.. James r. Morse,
New York capitalist, and others, had per-
suaded the king to allow them to build
railroads and to open the gold mines. Had
their arrangements been completed this
war between China and Japan would never
have occurred. At least it would not have
been based on the poverty of Corea. The
gold mines of the country are very rich,
and the mobiles would have gotten SO much
money out of them chat they would not
oIantly, there would have been no rebellion
and no cause for war. Morse knows all
about things in Corea. He has been en-
gagged in the export trade there and in Japan
for years. When his majesty became
hard up not long ago, he sent cablegram
to New York asking Morse to come out to
Corea, and cabling him that he would give
him concessions for railroads and mines.
Morse organized his company at once. He
went to Seoul and was just about to con-
clude the deal when TIE king changed his
mind. The papers, in fact. were all ready.
and they were to be signed the next day
at IL o'clock. At about message came
TO the American legation from the king
that the deal was Off. and he would not
make it. Morse, of course, was very angry,
and he left Corea in huff. He may go
back again now. He is better posted on
the situation there than any other man in
the far east, and he has the confidence of
the king and the people.
FRANK.G. CARPENTER.