The herald., 1898-12-22
gME@E NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Hm
9 g GEN. SCHENCK AND POKER .
1sMEnHMHNERmxn nmmunuHn

Conversing the other day with gentle
man on the subject OF the prospective ap-
pointment OF j. IL. Choate as ambassador
to the court OF st. James, he remarked that
all our ministers to that court had been
high minded and had demeaned themselves
in q manner which reflected credit upon
the American people and the government.
with single exception and he was General
Robert Z. Schenck.
The point against him was that he had
disgraced himself by playing poker over
there with Engshmen or somebody else.
This was laboring under an erroneous i'm.
preston, produced by the reckless and par
tisan attacks which were made upon General
Schsnck at the time he was our representa-
tive to the British court. Suspecting that
others may have like erroneous impress
sions, l think it due to the memory OF Cen
eral Schenck to make q statement Of the
facts in the case, which l received from the
mouth of General Schenck himself.
He was a member of a social party at the
| residence of lady of quality, at which the
guests INDUCED in the game of whist, which
everybody knows is the favorite English
! game Of cards. At the party the statement
was made that poker was the favorite Amer
ican game. The lady host finding out that
General Schenck knew something about
poker (for it was no secret that he some
times played the game, as many prominent
Americans have done), she requested him
to tell her something about it, which he
did. Being interested in his description,
she asked him to write out the rules for her
"a request that he complied with. She
had what he wrote printed and gave copies
| to her friends, and from this the report was
circulated that the only thing General
Schenck did while minister was to teach
poker to the English people.
While our representatives to the court OF
st. James have generally been eminent cit
izens, few possessed more natural abilities
or greater attainments than General
Schenck, and none acted with more pro-
priety or greater dignity. General Schenck
had had large experiente in the public
service, and had achieved high reputation
for craftsmanship and as debater upon the
floor of congress. He had been in the diplo-
matte service during the administrations OF
Taylor and Fillmore.
At the time OF his appointment to the
British court there was a sharp issue be-
tween the two governments over the depre-
commerce during the civil war, which were
known as the Alabama claims. On general
principles Great Britain ought to have
promptly settled, but it was especially i'm.
portant that the issue should be disposed
of before the election of 1872. In 1871 MIR.
Blaine pressed the matter upon President
Grant, and said to him: "On the settlement
of that question either your government or
that of Gladstone will go down." 1t 20
turned out, for the Washington treaty had
powerful influence in determining the
elections in the United Kingdom against
Gladstone's party. sn Tas
Mr.. Motley had been SO easy in pressing
the Alabama claims upon the British govern
ment that President Grant and Secretary
Fish became very much dissatisfied and re-
moved him, against the protest OF Mr.. Sum
ner, who was chairman Of the foreign rela-
tions committee OF the senate. General
Schenck was appointed to succeed Motley
on account of his recognized ability and force
of character. Ii it had been true that he
taught the English people the game of poker,
he speedily brought the British government
to an agreement to appoint joint high COM
mission to settle all matters of difference
! OF the commission, OF which General Schenck
was member, was the making OF the
Washington treaty, which embraced the
settlement of the Alabama claims and the
payment by Great Britain of sl5,5O0,ooo
damages.
The great point achieved by our govern
ment was the recognition of new and ad-
vanced principle of international law, and
| it was that neutral nation is bound, MOB
only to the faithful execution OF such rleu-
traiity laws as she has but must enact such
laws as when faithfully executed will as
sure impartial and complete neutrality. 1t
does not permit neutral nation to decide
for itself what laws are sufficient, but holds
her responsible for..Sailing to enact thsHs
that are adequate. ltSvas another triuMS
Of American diplomacy in forcing conceo
sions to more humane rules in the internar
tional code. General Schenck was man
who, when he had work before him, did n
bravely and well.
LIONEL A. SHELDON.