The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-02-18
a NEW AMBASSADOR.

literature as . graceful poet under the
pseudonym o. .@vioset Fame" being trans
ferred from Constantinople 20 Washington
TO take the place % the Pauncetotas OF the
apprcachirg retirement q. Sir Julian. must
be regarded BIZ the latter with certain
a.nount OF grin satisfaction as a species
% Nemesis. For the shabby tree tment
which Was melted out few years ago 70
Sir Julian was r1Sinlv due 70 Sir Philip,
and il was 80 make way for the latter that
the worthy diplomat VINO now represents
Great Britain 81 Washington was deprived
% the position % permanent under score
caEy o. state OF the foreign office. whicas
with it's salary Of si25ea a year, and tie
prestige as wei as power associated with
this post. causes e 10 De regarded as the
blue ribbon ct the service Of the British
crown.
While IN control OF the foreign Office Sir
Julian was the object % considerable
amount u hostility on the part Of the ring
% chief clerks. who. Up III a few years
ago, practically ran the foreign Office 70
suit themselves. literally compelling every
secretary OF state 70 yield 70 their in
fuence and 70 act in accordance vita their
wishes. completely stuitisytng the projects
OF reform with which he invariably en-
tered upon mis- duties, the foreign soffice
being notoriousiy a perfect Augean stable
as FAR as abuses were concerned.
Sir Julian did not belong 70 this ring. He
was an outsider in every sense Of the word.
\ lawyer by profession. he was attorney
general az Hongkong. and afterwards
chief Justice at the West india Islands,
when the secretary ,s state for the colon
les found occasion TO summon him 10 Lon
don in order 70 consult him with regard 10
some reforms to the colonial judieature.
The impression which he made upon the
minister was so favorable that the latter
decided 20 retain him permanently IN Lon
don, and created for him the past OF legal
under secretary OF state for the colonies.
His duties is such brought him into fire.
quent communication with the foreign Of
fee, which al the time was without any ad-
wiser upon points of international or col
onial law. and when * is borne In mind
that at the present moment the greater
portion Of British Africa Is subject not 70
the colonial department. but 70 the foreign
office il wiz readily be understood that
his services should have become so indis-
pensah.e TO the latter office that a couple
OF years later he should have been APP
pointed legal under secretary Of state TO
the foreign department.
In course OF time. when the foreign Office
was thrown into confusion by the sudden
death OF the permanent under secretary.
Lord Tenterden, the ugliest man of his
day, Sir Julian, as next in point OF senior
ity and rank, dropped into his place. much
to the disgust OF the ring. From that
time forth Sir Julians life was made
burden to him, and rumors were indus
triously circulated by the gang in Of
fetal political and social circles TO the eff
feet that he was too much disposed TO
waste time over trifiing details instead OF
grasping at once the entire situation. and
that his presence at the foreign office. far
from acoelerating the business of the de-
partment, on the contrary served TO retard
Il.
Moreover, ali the social influences at the
command OF the ring were set TO work
and. Sir Philip Currie having managed TO
win the good will of Lady Salisbury. her
husband. who was at that time minister
OF foreign affairs, gently but firmly init
mated TO Sir Julian that change was de-
sirable; that his place was required for
Sir Philip Currie, and that ne would re-
ceive, by way of compensation, If he cared
TO accept Ii. the American mission.
Ii must be remembered that the latter
was at the time not d full-fedged embassy.
as 1t Is now. but mere legation-that is
TO say a post in no way commensurate
with that TO which Sir Julian. as the chief
OF the diplomatic service. might justly
have considered himself entitled Not only
Sir Julian's friends, but also people
throughout the government service, and In
political circles, were indignant at what
was described as "the shabby Treatment
TO which he had been subjected through
foreign office intrigue.
1t is to this sentiment, more than 10 any
thing else. that must be ascribed the sue
cession OF honors that have been showered
upon him since he came 10 this country
these honors comprising the grand cross
OF the Order of the Bath, a seat In the
privy council OF the queen. and the in
o hn ca1a - shn
some $4,000 a year. Indeed, II is difficult
to see what honors can still remain for the
crown to confer upon this very honest
manly and single-mlnded public servant.
who. If perhaps lacking the ''finesse'' OF
diplomacy, at any rate possesses a knowl-
edge 10 which few members either Of the
British foreign office or OF its diplomatic
service can lay claim. namely. that OF In
ternational law.
Sir Philip Currie's marriage to the re-
Gently widowed Mrs. Singleton. which
marked the climax or a romantic attach
ment OF many years duration-an attach
ment OF the same kind as that which ex-
isted between the present duke Of Devon
shire and his duchess prior 10 their mar
rage, and when she was still the consort
of the old duke Of Northumberland Sir
Philip 20 desire 10 exchange for time
his post at the foreign Office for some dip
iomatic mission abroad. and accordingly
what In those DAYS was regarded as A
nrst-class embassy, and the most delight
full mission. namely. that Of Constantine
pie. with IT'S steam yachts and It's sum-
mer and winter palaces, its guards and es-
corts and handsome allowances. was
placed at his disposal
There Sir Philip has proved himself as
dismal a failure. diplomaticafy speaking.
as Sir Julian proved a success at Wash
ington. and after having had his incona-
petence denounced by both political par
ties IN pariament-incompeten which f.
largely responsible for the almost rISi-
crous condition OF present affairs In Tur-
key-Sir Philip Is about 70 be removed
from Constantinople, where he has done
80 much harm. and 70 be sent to Washing
ton 70 succeed Sir Julian.
Sir Philip possesses this advantage over
Sir Julian. that he Is a very rich man. be-
ing sleeping partner Of the famous bank.
ing house OF Glynn. Mills G. Currie. More
over. he is one OF the most accomplished
hosts and perfect dinner-gfvers Of London
society. his brilliant entertainments A. his
suburban villa. 'Brewater Tgodra" near
London. At which Violet Fame" was vvont
20 do the honors. enjoying a worldwide
reputation. His manners are the essence
Of courtlness. bat II remains 70 be seen
whether they win prove AZ efficsclous In
dealing wtth American officials and polItf
clans "a the manly fraukness and Sterling
honesty OF Sir Julian