The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-04-25

rather than in the front AS it was, he
had nothing to do with my newspaper
work. He had no objection to my writ
ing and wrote just as 1 pleased. He
read much of the matter after it was
published, and seemed to like it,
What kind of a traveller was Gen.
Grant? Did he observe things closely ?"
l asked.
Yes" was the reply. Grant was a
careful observer. He studied the peo-
pie and their customs, the governments
and the public works. He often went
about incognitO, as it were, with me-
We would slip out the back doors Of
the hotels and thus avoid the crowd.
We were not known when away from
the hotels and we took long rides and
walks in nearly every foreign city we
visited"
GRANTS FOUR GREATEST MEN.
1T was you, Mr. Young, who asked
Grant to name the four greatest men
he had met during his tour around the
world"
Yes" replied John Russell Young,
II asked that question of him when we
were crossing the Pacific on our way
home. We were discussing the great
men Of the different countries, when I
asked the general whom he thought
we've really pre-eminent among them.
He replied:
Il have met four men during this
trip whom l consider really great. They
are BeacOnsfeld, Gambetta, Bismarck
and Ii Hung Chang and" he added,
Il am not sure but that Ii Hung Chang
is the greatest of the four
Grants relations with Ii Hung
Chang were very close We're they nOt?"
Yes replied Mr.. Young, Gen.
Grant spent some weeks with Ii while
he was in China, and the two grew
to be very intimate. They would sit for
hours together chatting OF all kinds Of
things. You see, Grant was looked
upon as a monarch in those foreign
countries. He had all the honors Of a
monarch and through his influence he
was able to do great deal of good for
China He settled the trouble which
was then brewing between China and
Japan. Had he not done so, the Chi
nese-Japanese war would have prob
ably occurred then. 1t was through
his friendship with Ii and with the
Japanese statesmen that he was en-
abled to reason away the causes of the
war. Had Grant been elected for
third term l don't think there would
have been a war between those two
nations"
why did Grant choose BeacOnsfeld
rather than Gladstone as the greatest
English statesman that he had met,
Mr. Young?"
Il rather think Grants feelings turn
ed more toward BeacOnsfeld on ac-
count Of Beaconsfeld's sympathy with
the North during the war Gen. Grant
had little friendship or admiration with
those who sympathized or aided the
South when our nation was in peril.
I thought l saw this with all Of the
noted people whom Grant met during
his stay in England. He treated every
one courteously, but he did not warm
up toward such men as sympathized
with the South, among whom were
Gladstone and Salisbury
THE MISSION TO CHINA.
How did you like your work as minister
to China, Mr. Young?"
Very much was the reply. Il had met
Ii through Gen. Grant and when I came
back minister l found him very friendly,
and through him l able to get much
done for the United States"
when you were sent out to China, Mr.
Young, did you have any special instruc-
t.ons?"
President Arthur l thought he might have
some such message to give me, and before
l left l called upon him and asked him if
there was anything he wanted me to do.
No; all I have to say is don't get US
into trouble, and do as you d-n please
Secretary Freiinghuysen said the same
thing, only in different language, and | was
one Of the few ministers who went out with
out any special Instructions"
us the mission to China a very important
one?"
Il think it Is" replied Mr. Young, land
Just now l believe it is a much more impor-
tant place than any other in our whole
diplomatic service. 1t should be filled by a
man capable Of understanding the situation
and CT taking of our interests IN the
far East. The countries Of East Asia are
on the edge of a change, and the times are
full of diplomatic possibilities. England,
Russia Germany and France are all plot
ting and working to get the Eastern trade
and you cannot tell what situation may arse
Not only China but also Japan, Corea and
Siam are involved in the struggle and our