The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-02-20

just as uncompromisingl American in
little things as he is in big: that he will
lock horns with diplomatic dude just
as soon as he will twist the British
lions tail
Olney's last act was in squatting on
| the smart-aleck French ambassador in
Washington, who with his American
wife attempted to snub an American
and his wife. The story is as follows:
/ The promotion of ". W. Rockhill.
! from third 10 first assistant secretary
( of state. has brought 10 the surface a
social disagreement of long standing
| between that gentleman and the
! French ambassador, VI. Patenotre.
/ The trouble began in the capital of the
! fiOwery kingdom some years ago. AT
| that time Mr.. Rockhill was engaged in
! Pekin in private enterprises and NJ.
Patenotre represented the French gov
eminent at the court of China's en-
peror. Mr.. and Mrs. Rockhill became
acquainted with the French diplomat,
and NJ. Patenotre occasionally called
! on his American friends to while away
the tedium of his sojourn in the celes-
tial kingdom.
Their relations were cordial for some
time. Then they were broken as
result of call which NJ. Patenotre
made to the Rockhill's home. The day
! he chose for his visit was warm, sui
/ in
cool garments, was chatting with
| lady friend on the veranda facing the
court around which the house conferred.
| NJ. Patenotre's card was presented TO
Mrs Rockhill by the servant, and she
sent word to him asking to be excused.
The French diplomat, it is said, failed
to take the hint and gave message to
the servant for Mrs Rockhill, which is
said to have been uttered In words
something like these:
Tell Mrs. Rockhill / have come
long way. 1t is hot. When you say
it is NJ. Patenotre the ladies will re-
ceive me-"
Mrs Rockhill, however, was not
| dressed to receive gentlemen, and, 1t is
said. that after some delay, the servant
returned with some startling informa-
ton for the French minister. The re-
ply was evidently not intended to be
delivered verbatim, but the footman
apparently thought he was doing his
duty when he repeated literally what
Mrs. Rockhill told him.
Tell NJ. Patenotre that Mrs. Rockhill
is dead was the instruction given to
the footman and he is said to have
obeyed to the letter.
NJ Patenotre then left the house and
saw nothing more Of the Rockhills I'M
til that family came to Washington
early in the present administration and
found NJ. Patenotre there as the am
bassador of the French republic. Mr..
Rockhill was first made chief clerk of
the state department. In this position
ne saw little of NJ. Patenotre. But he
was promoted to the Office of third as
sistant secretary of state shortly after
he had assumed his duties at the de-
partment and then he was thrown more
in contact with the diplomatic corps.
Until the present social season began
Mr.. and Mrs. Rockhill avoided NJ Pat
enotre as much as possible. Within
the past few months, however, they
were invited to several dinners at
which NJ. Patenotre was also a guest.
NJ t. 10. n
manner which Mr.. ROckhill consid-
cred ungentlemanly, and to have stu
diously neglected to tender even the
most formal courtesies to Mrs. Rock
hill. Mr.. RockhilI let the matter slip
by unnoticed on the first occasion, al
though indignant at the affront his
wife received. Its repetition on an
other occasion, however, accumulated
his anger, and when NJ. Patenotre
again repeated his discourtesy at
third function he thought 1t about time
to bring the matter TO stop. Accord
ingly. he wrote a communication to NJ.
Patenore informing that diplomat in
effect that in future Eve will have not
only no social but no official relations.
When business transactions are nee
essary between US you will wait until
leave the department and arrange
through the official next In rank below
me-"
Before forwarding the letter TO NJ.
Patenotre, Mr.. Rockhill, 1t is said, laid
it before the president and secretary
of state, who both approved Of his
action in writing the letter and told him
TO send it.
NJ. Patenotre received the communi-
cation in due season. He is said 10
have become very indignant at its con-
tents, and when diplomatic day rolled
around went to the state department
and saw Secretary Olney with the OBJ
iect in view, it is alleged, OF lodging a
complaint against Mr.. Rockhill as an
| official of the department He took the
letter from his pocket and is said TO
have asked the secretary to read II
Mr.. Olney informed him that he knew
the contents Of the missive before Ii
had been mailed, and furthermore stat
ed that he had approved them 1t was
Mr.. 0lneys opinion that In view of
Ambassador Patenotre's action there
was no other course for Mr.. Rockhili
10 pursue Mr. 0lney is said to have
| minated to NJ. Patenotre that il he
| desired 10 remain persona grata 10 the