The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-05-05

perfntendens OF foreign mails Mr. Brooks
has charge Of the preparations for the
congress. The other representatives OF
the government have not yet been deSlg-
mated By Posfn1zster-General Gary.
Dr. Won Stephan. of Berlin. whose death
was announced recently. was the most
DISTINGUISHED postal authority in the
world. AZ least since the death Of the late
Sir Rowland Hill. Of England father OF
the penny post" HIS coming 10 the
United States as the chief representative
OF the German empire was anticipated
with great interest A fortnight ago he
accidentally fell and broke leg in such
manner as 20 require It's ampuration.
Death ensued within a week after the
operation AS an humble, awkward youth
ne entered the postal service OF Germany
In the lowest grade. and his future was.
IN fact. 50 EnpTomising that after short
probation his superior officer advised him
10 resign and go into some other business
* he wished 70 make 3 success. But Won
Stephan continued in the service work
ing his way upward until he became a
member Of the emperCr's cabinet and
postmaster-generai of the empire.
The four previous worlds postal con-
crosses were held respectively al Berne.
Switzerland, In 1874. Paris. France, IN ISIS:
Lisbon. Portugal. IN Iss5, and al Vienna.
Austria, In 1881 The Berne congress
opened its xtEings IN the hall OF the ma
tional senate Of Switzerland. the Tagsat-
zung. September Is. 1874. with representa-
tives from - countries and colonies. The
United States was represented by the late
Joseph II. Blackfan. then superintendent
OF foreign malls. The Paris congress was
held in the Bourbon palace. The Lisbon
congress met in the hall OF the supreme
court Of Portugal The Vienna congress,
the last one. met In the hall of the Impe-
rial Association OF Horticulture.
The Universal Postal Union has done
more 10 advance civilization generally
Tran any other social or commercial i'm
proyement OF the present generation. and
the United States is largely entitled 70 the
credit of taking the Initiative and point
ing out the way TO other nations. Thirty
FIVE years ago there were eight separate
conventions. or treaties, in operation be-
tween the United States and as many
separate foreign governments, regulating
the exchange of international correspond
ence. Under these conventions there was
q great disparity in the rates of postage
to and from countries equally distant. and
varying rates to and from the same coun-
try, according to the route taken. and
there were many confusing differences In
the methods of Weighing. rating and
classifying mail matter. AS rule the
rate OF postage was many times higher
than IL is now. and the essential require
ments OF speed and safety were only
measurably fulfilled. In addition. the
complex accounts necessary to be kept
with the various foreign governments
caused delay and annoyance. Thanks TO
the successive congresses OF the Universal
Postal Union. A uniform scent rate on all
international letters, without regard TO
the distance or route traversed. has been
established. and like uniform and reason
able rates on printed matter and samples.
The whole world is now on an even foot
In nv hai
letter to the farthest islands of the sea, TO
every part of Europe, to Asia, to Africa.
to every part of South America.
The treaties put In force by the Postal
Union are absolutely unique in the history
of the world. Ii Is oftentimes difficult,
even impossible to negotiate treaty be-
tween two countries. but here are success
sive treaties that have been agreed to
with aiacrity by every civilized country
of the world. and which have in no way
interfered with the policy of any.
August 4. 1850. Postmaster-General
Montgomery Blair addressed a letter 10
Secretary of State William H. Seward,
asking him 10 invite conference of the
postal authorities of Europe and America
20 meet at time and place to be selected
by them. to recommend to their govern
msnts the adoption of international postal
regulations, uniform standard OF
weight rates and conditions and uni
charges, etc. The invitation was accepted
and resulted In a conference in Paris of
the leading postal officials of Austria,
Belgium. Costa Rica, Denmark. Spain the
United States. France. Great Britain.
Italy. the Netherlands, Portugal, Prussia.
the Sandwich Islands. Switzerland and
the Hanse cities.
Shortly thereafter the United States ne
gotiated on the lines laid down at Paris,
eight different postal treaties with as
many powers, and the ease with which
the principles promulgated at Paris were
put into practice suggested TO DR.. Won
stephan the idea OF a universal postal
union. Accordingly. under his direction.
the postal administration Of Germany Is
sued call IN 1869 for an international
congress. 10 negotiate general postal
treaty. having for its object the unifica-
ton OF all the great powers. Owing to
complications arising out OF the Franco
Prussian war the international congress
did not meet until September Is. 1874. when
the first congress at Berne was convened.
Thus the United States planted I'm 1853
the acorn which is now about TO blossom
forth into full-grown oak In Washington
In 1897 II DR. Won Stephan may properly
be called the Father Of the Universal
Postal Union" then Montgomery Blair
and William H. Seward were its grand
fathers
The business of the fifth congress will
consist of n revision Of the treaty signed
az Vienna July 4. 1881 with view 10 in
cooperating certain improvements sug-
gested by the experience Of the last six
years in a new treaty to be signed here.
The principal subject of discussion will
probably be reduction of the rates of
compensation allowed under the present
treaty 20 each country for the conveyance
over it's territory OF mails Of another
country IN transit 10 countries beyond the
- If-f. These n -
generally considered too high. and their
present mode of settlement too compli-
Gated
The proceedings Of the previous con-
crosses were conducted with closed doors.
and exclusively In the French language:
ard II Is probable that this method CT
procedure viii be followed in the ap-
preaching congress.
Observation-Disclosures