New-York tribune., 1896-01-19


proposed that Mr.. Charles Francis Adams should be
sent for and asked to travel through that state IN
crisis came in the relation Of the United states
and Great Britain 1t looked much a. If number
really British to be let loose TO prey upon our
commerce The British Minister of Foreign Atars ni,
at that time was Earl Russell a man of large poli,
tcal experience and broad sympathes yet as ne had
it diG not seem likely that he would prevent the
sailing of these But just as they were ready ar, 10
conf erred with Earl Russell stated the case very
simply ana used these memorable words: hee'
This cool, plain. straightforward statement, made
In the right manner to the right man. at the right
vented and immensely to the advantage of Amer
lean commerce and of all the interests OF our
AWFULNESS OF SUCH WAR.
For of all caamities to the world which one can
imagine. there can hardly be anything more fearful
than war between the two great English speaking
nations. Indeed. nothing could be worse, unless II
the REIMBURSEMENT of international righteous
ness the sacrifice OF the Just position of our coun-
try. and Of the self-respect of its citizens zap
Still another possible function Of minister who no
has famlarzed himself with his business. H. IN tne
interest OF commerce and of all other Interests 10
improve international law As you well Know , n, me
single recognized authority. 1t grows and the main
agent in its growth il the work OF diplomatic repre-
cipes and practice IN the actual intercourse between
nations. Here. too. our country has distingns%het %
among all the men Of this country. who as diplo,,
matists have done most to improve interna n @ ioha, m
Henry Wheaton, a former citizen Of this state ana
our Minister TO Denmark and to M prussla 9'n e nav Az
also especially be proud that the Two men WIZ VIZ
threw the great weight OF their authority INTO tnc
scale for arbitration between the two great Engsh
speaking nations OF the world at most crI.icai
period were Ulysses $. Grant and Hamilton FISH,
Yet another function Of American diplomatists IL
to open new paths 10 American commerce: and here
j another
within the boundaries OF this STATE. ana a H. IT,.
dent for several years OF this city. Townsend ,iar
ris He II was who as n Resident Minister 10y
mastery treaty. In conjunction with Commodore
Perry. opened the Empire OF japan 10 thc 'pt, p,,
OF the world. When justice shall he doh' MN
his statue will commemorate his great services ana
adorn this metropolis ApplauseD , g., =.
Still another duty of an American Minister Is TO
watch and keep guard over the interests Of Amcrl-
ments To which he IS accredited And here may he
mentioned. among those who in recent tlrnss nay "
thus distinguished themselves. GoVernor Lev -
Morton and Whtelaw Reid both of New. YORK
and both Ministers TO fIphcG "h NO ewinrsev
Minister to Germany. All these men rendered great
furious discrimination abroad against III" prouu''S
Of American agriculture tApplauseJ 49,, -, .
And last. but by no means least. should be men
toned tho work OF American representatives, abroad
in protecting the business interests. the property
should especially be remembered the late George
Bancroft who; as Minster 70 Berlin dnFtng tn, tls
did what one not constantly on the ground could
have done. For: by watching events and skilinlly
make that great series OF treaties which have done
80 much to protect Americans in Germany ana to
prevent break between Germany ana IN"
United States. which would have been so injurious
to our commercial Interests. tAppia1sel .. .,
ton with honor one OF your own members Dur
Ing extensve Journeys through the I'D "a. 11w
all Christian missionaries, speaking always with
earnest approval ami sometimes with the deepest
gratitude. regarding tho services OF our Minister
TO Turkey. now one OF your own members ne lion
orable oscar s Straus. All united In ,"sifying 10
tectins American iife, property and business ncr-
ests at all places, and AZ all hazards, within The
Turkish Empire Npplause)
4 CHEAP DEFENCE OF NATIONS
But objection ls sometimes made 10 regular
diplomatic service the ground o. IT'S cost.
think you will sec In a moment that tho diplomatic
service may well be called tho Cheap defence o'
nations" The entire appropriation FOR the diplo-
matte service FOR the last fiscal year was illhe
over 10000 but the cost OF military and naval op
TO the United States. about 10000 The cost ~
War eDuaiiy diyIded db beiwecn the Two nation
would have amounted. each day to considerably
more ttan that Il war
with all It's improved methods. should cost no more
than IT did thirty years ago thc entIe eXprhu1ui"
for our diplomatic corps Tor year Wouih pr oi,f, ,
about the expenditure for war during four hours ana
r. which may Heaven forDd. we Shon,i pe 10 ,, u,,
fortunate az 10 have a war break ON WIN amS
foreign Power, diplomatic service would pay us
twenty-four hours. or shortened II Dy tweny-l9l
hours II is altogether probable that MI 'haii's
Earl Russell. prevented prolongation OF our 'ni'
War, which would have cost ~ more thhn me EN-
tire diplomatic service during hundreds ot years.
1t is sometimes thought that the diplomatic ser
vice abroad is mainly recreation. rms ~ N-ly
serious mistake. Any Minister and any Secretary
who does hia duty finds his time absolutely eaten
there time / could give abundant examples OF This
moned 10 rescue some one OF his fellow-citizens in
trouble. in some part Of the country 10 which ne -
the steady exercise OF judiclous mixture o. hrin-
But you will ask how shall our present system
h. improved? As said before. what Is needed is
TEN IL far better than II once was and let me say
here that sundry expressions which some Of our
pessmiss have put forth REGARDING II 90 our 1oun
tion. ard knowing that am well within the facis
OF the case. assert that no other country mas been
so steadily represented In Great Britain by such
series Of distinguished AMI capable citizens as mas
our own Government. beginning with John Adams
and including the honored gentleman VINO al pres
es holds the P9son OF no ns bc
thing may be justly said OF several other among
our 'esaons al w aaS the psrsonn OF dpo
matte representation abroad know well that what
United States in this respect. she has not by any
means. made worse mistakes than have been made
their foreign representatives. What is needed
then. is a development Of our present system And
that every American representative abroad should
have such a salary that he can give his thoughts en-
tireiy to the PUBIC service, tHdt Socdliy
ali other ways he can do his duty unhampered by
the thought that he is mpoverishing himself and
his family. loud applauseD
SHOULD HAVE DECENT ESTABLISHMENT
And next what Is more important than an
increase in salary. every leading embassy lega-
tion of the United States should have a good and
sufficient house or apartment. suitably furnished,
either owned by the United States or leased for
term OF years. Is done by other leading Powers.
I WAS glad to see a recommendation to this effect
in the recent message OF President Cleveland. II
was a wise and statesmanlikc recommendation
which IL adopted, would do much to increase the
influence OF our representatives In every capital In
The world For If the country which sends
Minister does not suitably honor him. the country
10 which he is accredited can hardly be expected 10
do so The United States. the country of the
greatest resources and greatest energy in the mod
ern world can afford 10 make all the expenditure
necessary to render every branch of the public