The times., 1897-05-09
MISSION FOR Mr.. .ROCKH|LL
Higher HOnOrS Said to BE As
Sured to Him.
MAY BE SLATED FOR CHINA
State Department Authorities said
to Be Favorable to Plan Cor
Founding IA Perpetual Diplomatic
Value of Men Trained by
Experience in Statecraft.

Nj William Woodville Rockhin, Presi-
State, the gentleman who gives way to
Judge Day. has been assured by the Nc
Kiniey Administration that he viii be pro-
-vided for More than this, Mr. Rockhill
has received assurance that his position
under the new Administration Will be i'll
no sense a Ietrogression He has been
told, in other words, that he will not he
given any mere charge d'affaires, or
secretary of legation position, but that ne
may expect a mission, and good one.
Further than this, MI RockhilI is not
acquainted with the intentions of Presi-
dent Mckinley and Secretary Sherman, If
these gentlemen themselves have decided
for him. 1t is thought probable, how
ever, that the late First A ssistant Secre-
tary Of State will go either to China or to
Spain, and that the pToba bilities are in
favor of the former mission.
The history of Mr. Rockhill's career is
explanation OF this probability, after the
decision of the Administration to give him
mission is accounted for. This gentle
man was for many years in China in the
diplomatic service. He was secretary at
Pekin, ana a charge d'affaires there. He
is the Only gentleman in the United States
at all eligible for the Chinese mission who
knows the Chinese language He is well
acquainted at the Chinese court. He knows
the country, and ne knows thoroughly the
relations existing between this country
and China, and, presumably, has good
ideas as to the lines along W hich amicable
relations may continue to exist. 1t Is
thought also that Mr.. Rockhill would he
able to make the diplomatic and the busi-
ness relations between the two countries
even more close and even more profitable
than they are at present.
However, Mr RockMn knows Spanish
also, and is equally as we'll fitted TO be
minister to Spain There is the possibility
that some one else may have already been
chosen OF thought of for the Chinese mis-
sion, and in this case Mr.. ROckhill may
go to the sunny land beyond the Pyrenees.
A gentleman thoroughly well informedtn
diplomatic matters, and especially having
knowledge OF the ideas that the State De
partment coterie has i'll its head, IS
authority for the statement that this ex-
cellent provision for the Democratic Mr..
Rockbill under the Republican Administr l.
ton, Is the first large indication of plan
which the State Department people have
for a perpetual diplomatic corps founded
on the models Of those of European gov
ernmcnts This gentleman says that there
can be no question that many OF the Of
ficers of our Department of Foreign AT
fairs have the idea that some day we VIII
train our diplomats in just such q way as
they do in Europe.
1t is said that this Government has be-
come convinced OF deplorable deficiencies
shown on certain critical occasions by our
diplomats. 1t is even limited that the Adj
uiinistration is acutely aware of the fact
that among foreign diplomats our gentle
men are regarded as mere tyros at the
great chess gameof diplomacy.
1t is suggested that if we could have
men trained by long years of experience
in the gamo we would not give the suave
gentlemen Of the foreign courts so many
chances to laugh In their sleeves
It rs pointed out that already this Adj
ministration has made several moves di-
reotly along this line. The cases of Mr..
Adee, Mr.. Thomas w. Cridler, and Mr..
Walter e. Faison are cited as conspicuous
exceptions to the spoils system and to the
usual methods that have obtained In the
State Department as well as in the other
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