New-York tribune., 1897-07-17
THE FACTS IN THE CASE.

"Speecl" said Voltaire. was given to man
to conceal his thoughts" Repeated by Talley-
rand that cynical principle was adopted INTO
European diplomacy, and for time won great
success To smile and be not necessarily
villain but-somcthing other than one seemed
became the hallmark of the diplomat. There
arose. however a plain. blunt man. who had
habit of blurling out the truth Men thought
his truths were falsehOods, dSbelieved them
and were misled. Thus he confounded his ad-
yersares and became the greatest diplomatic
force in Europe. as his imperial masters army
was the greatest military force. Since then Vol
taire's cpigram has been held In less esteem than
hitherto. The change from Taleyrand to Bis
marck was striking one; on the whole much
for the better. Much in accord. too. with the
spirit Of American diplomacy from the days OF
Monroe down to the present time. There is
something in Anglo-SaxOn speech on both sides
OF the sea that does not lend itself to double
meanings II does not serve well as mask
and people who use that speech have formed
the habit Of saying what they mean. 1t Is en-
trely possible for them, at least. TO speak ana
10 hear the truth without offence.
In all the pother which some are rOw making
over the United States Secretary OF States pre-
spntInen. OF this side OF the Behrng Sea case
a presenlment, by the way, not to the British
Government but to the United States Ambas-
sador-the one supreme cOnsideratiOnsis almost
WHOLLY overlooked. That Is, Is ii true? Are
:,lc statements made by. the Secretary to the
Ambassador for the latters guidance borne out
hv the facts of the case? That Is the question:
10 which all others are subordinate II the Brit
lsh Government has been unjustly accused by
the American Secretary. II has a legitimate
grievance. for which no doubt, amends will be
made in manly fashion as soon as the fact is
demonstrated But II il has not been maligned
II the Secretarys version Of the case Is true,
then there is no ground for complaint, and cer
tany none for the slightest friction Of relations
between the two countries. Soft words butter
no parsEips, says an ancient saw. Plain truths
break no friendships and cause no quarrels
when. as In the present case. both speaker and
bearer are well disposed toward amity and
Justice.
All this superheated talk about "iDsults' and
"taM-twstng' and IAN appeal to force Is not
only injudicous, II Is dlscredltable to its au-
tho-s, and might even become nlschlevOus
Happily. II finds no authoritative echo. The
British Government does not mean to confess
that II has no case by resortng TO abuse Of the
plaintiffs attorney. 1t maintains its dignifed
and conciliatory attitude. In due time It Is to
be presumed, It will make It's answer to the
American Secretary's statements. That answer
will doubtless be made In a frank, friendly and
STRAIGHTFORWARD manner. II 1t shall contain
shy truths dsagreeable to this country, Ameri-
cans will not grow angry nor call names. II
they are truths they will be acknowledged. II
they are not. they will be disproved. And Just
;lat is what is to he done in the present case,
and wha; will be done by those who are not
stricken with midsummer madness nor moved
to exploit sensations against the coming Of the
silly season. Negotiations between the two