The times., 1897-05-03
MIR. MCKINLEY'S ELEPHANT
A Chinese Scholar and a Chinese
Presidential Puzzle.
The State Department Fails to
Deal satisfactorily With MIR.
ROckhiIl.

what shall we do with Rockhill?'' is
the interesting couundrum the Presideat
asks the State Department, Tuesdays, at
the Cabinet meeting, and which the State
Department inquiries of the President. FIJI
days, at the Cabinet meeting. Thus far
neither has been able to answ the other
TO the entire satisfaction Of Mr.. Rockhill
be offered the general public for the best
solution of the problem.
The Rockhhl in question is William
WoodviIle RockhilI, who. for the last four
years, has been First Assistant Secretary Of
State, and who, for fifteen years or more,
has been an active participantin in diplomatic
affairs OF more or less magnitude. William
Woodville Rockhill is well qualified by
education for a diplomatic career. He
reads, writes and speaks several Ianguag ges,
including Chinese, which last accomplish
ment he acquired while secretary of the
American legation TO China, when John
Russell Young was the minister TO that
country. When Mr.. Rockhill returned to
this country and brought with him his
strong Chinese literature his worth was
imme diately recognized, and he was placed
in the State Department, where he had
much opportunity for developing his knowl-
edge of French, Spanish, Italian and his
highly priced Chinese.
The manifold accomplishments OF this
gentleman elevated him to the position OF
chief clerk of the State Department under
President Harrison, and later, when Presi-
dent Cleveland came Into office, Mr.. Rock
hill was given another boost up the lad
der Of fame and became First Assistant Sec
retary. He had but one other ambition,
and for man who can speak Chinese it
was a moderate one that of being SecTe-
tary Of State. During the four years US
Assistant Secretary the young Chinese
student and American diplomat strovc
hard to show the country bis value. He
was in sympathy with he A AdniniStration's 5
desire to replace Queen Lii on the Haw aiian
throne, and conducted pretty much all of
Mr.. Clevelands Cuban policy, or the cor
respondence relating thereto; he was at
Mr.. Clevelands elbow In the Venezuelan
matter, and last, but by no means least,
he was Mr. CIeyeland's right bower while
Ii Hung Chang was the guest of the Govern
ment. At this time of all others William
Woodvllle Rockhill distinguished himself
ment WHO could go to Ii Hung Chang and
talk to him in the flowery languageof that
distinguished visitor.
When PresidentMcKinley appointed Judge
Day Assistant Secretary andleft Mr. Rock
hill out in the cold, cold world the ingrati-
tude of republics became apparent. To let
him down easy, Mr.. Mckinley kindly Of
fered him consular position, but this
Mr.. ROckhill declined. He intimated very
broadly that he could fill with credit the
office of minister to Spain or China, but
the President suddenly became hard of
hearing. Finally, as a compromise, it was
suggested that f Mr.. Rockhill would like
to be the diplomatic agent and consul-ge
eral to Egyptit night be arranged, but this,
too, d:d not precisely suit the diplomat.
He believes himself worthy better fate,
and so there the matter rests. What he
wants he cannot have, and what he may
have he will not take Therefore is it
that with friendly solicitude the inquiry
is made twice week, What shall we 10
with Rockhill?''