The morning times., 1896-02-26
HE recent gossip in circulation to the
effect that the promotion OF Mr..
-,.n AuG

HE recent gossip in circulation to the
effect that the promotion OF Mr..
Rockhil TO be First Assistant Secre-
tary OF State X regarded in the nature
of a direct affrOBt TO NJ. Patenoirc, the
French ambassador recalls an unpublished
chapter of diplomatic history, that in this
connection is more than usually int eresting
When in 1898 Congress passed 4 law au-
thorizing the President TO appoint am
basSadorS To such countries rs would raise
the rank OF their representatives to the
Unicd States, Sir Julian Paunce.ote was
the first to call at the State department and
announce that Great Britain would at the
earliest possible moment elevate him to the
position Of aInba ssador in compliance with
the reciprocal law lust enacted But in
the meantime his papers were delayed and
cons idcrabie time elapsed before their
receipt.
Pending this period of waiting, as the
story goes, NJ. Patpnotre was seized with Il
desire to become dean of the diplomatic
corps. He carried on a long telegraphic
correspondence with his government ard as
a result his commission as ambassador
arrived prior TO that OF Sir Julian's. NJ.
Patenotrc hast cncd to the State Department
In the hope nat he would be Immediately
recognized thus emitting him TO the dean
shin. He was informed that Sir Julian had
/ anticipated him b y announcing he action OF
his government. This intelligence. il is
said, was received with bad grace and the
French representative oyerleapcdt the bounds
Of diplomatic etiquette by aying the whole
| matter before the President and requesting
his Intervention, which was refused.
Upon learning Of this appeal to the Chief
Executive, Secretary Gresham wrote NJ.
Patenotre letter which Tor frigldity
could give many points TO DR.. Nansen' s
North Pole discoveries. This letter has
never been printed In The foreign affairs
| correspondence. but a copy is among The
| records OF the State Department and the
original is Igcsumably in the possession Of
! the ambassador. The most curious fea-
| ture or his anpleasantness is found in The
fact That the incident must, by some means.
| have a;taincd publicity in diplomatic
! circles abroad inthe wdy that such matters
generally go the rounds.
! This was evidenced last summer when
II. Patcnotre toek his vacation and went
to France.{ buying his visit in Paris
/ Benjanln Gahst4nt. the artist. gave a
reception, tts~hietfthe ambassador. among
others, was Hnifel. During the progress
/ Of the function aL Patenotre was intro
duccd TO Lord pHfferin. the British am
bnssador to fr;iffce. The latter brought
! his eycglass isto Rasitioa, calmly surveyed
I tie former from iiead to foot and then.
/ without any sign or recognition. turned
and walked away. The incident created
much conInentin diplomatic ircles.
! L sometimes happens that where two OF
| three members of the House have the
! same name very funny mistakes occar
| ! A striking instance of this mixing of men
! was noticed during the debate on the SEN
| ate substitute for tine pond bill. Mr.. John
! SON of North Dakota, was credited By one
| of the press associations with ma king q
/ strong argument in favor OF sound money
! at / O'Clock in the afternoon and at , o ciocl;
| with a red hot speech for free silver. The
| fact that his remarks in each case were
given at some length contributed materially
| tUthe laughable features of the hunder.
| AS matter OF fact Mr.. Johnson of North
| Dakota. spoke at 1 O'Clock for sound money
| and was al - O'Clock followed by Mr.. John
| son OF California, in favor OF free silver
| The error made III crcditing both speakers
| to the safne State seemed to indicate tilt
! speedy conversion OF ofthemember from North
1 Dakota to the advocacy OF free coinage.