The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1898-01-03
WORK FOR DIPLOMATS.
Important Problems Confront
Our Representatives Abroad.
TRADE INTERESTS IN CHINA.
We Have Much at Stake In the Celestial
Empire, and u Wide Awake Minister Is
Needed at Peking-why inexperienced
Americans Succeed In Diplomacy.


WASHINGTON, Jan. ESPECIAL. Not
withstanding the traditional policy Of tho
United States not to interfere In foreign
affairs in the old world, the aggressiveness
of the European powers In China has been
most eagerly discussed here. The presi-
dent brought the matter up in his cabinet
last week, and a discussion followed, in
which Ii was agreed that tho duty of tho
United States was to look after our COM
mercial interests and to have nothing to
do with greed for territorial acquisition.
AT the same time it Is possible the turn of
events may give our diplomatists a good
deal Of work To do in the orient. The only
interests we have in China are commercial,
and these are supposed to DO guarded by
treaties. Suppose, now, the powers of Eu-
rope come along and by taking possession
Of the ports seek to turn all the trade to
their own citizens. What Is the United
States to do about il?
These are questions which are now being
actively discussed in official circles. We
do not want any territory in China, If in
deed that great empire is to be partitioned
out. But, on the other hand, we do wish
to hold all the trade advantages which we
have gained in the past. The United
States really has as much right in China
as any other power. China is in the broad
sense near neighbor of this country.
Only the ocean separates the two nations.
We are nearer China in the commercial
sense than England or Germany or France.
The great development of the trade of the
Pacific speaks for the enlargement of our
trade with China. Therefore it is not con-
sidered improbable that before the Chinese
affair Is settled up by the European powers
1t will DO necessary for the United States
to take firm stand In protection Of our
treaty and commercial rights. This need
not necessarily or even probably involve
us in any difficulty with the powers. In
fact, our rights are generally recognized
abroad.
Importance OF the Chinese Mission.
The Importance of our relations to China
and to the Chinese question as q whole is
cited as the best reason why the president
should take care in selecting new minis
ter to China to get one of experience and
trained ability The appointment Of
Charles Page Bryan of Illinois is criticised
on this ground, because Mr.. Bryan has
never had diplomatic experience. But 1t
is true of the majority of men whom this
nation sends abroad. We have no perma-
nent diplomatic corps, as other nations
have. We are forced to take men from
private life, from their law offices, editorial
sanctums and business counters and trans
plant them without any preliminary train
ing to the most difficult and delicate dip
lomatic tasks as ministers plenipotentiary
and ambassadors.
In view of this fact the ability and skill
of our diplomats is cause for marvel all
the world over. The writer has travelled a
good deal about Europe, and he knows
from personal observation that our diplo
matte representatives, even though I'M
trained, are generally highly respected and
in some cases much admired. The foreign
view of the matter is that the tact and
success of our unframed diplomats Is due
to what they call the wonderful Ameri-
can adaptability' to any sort of condition
or duty. This view seems to be the correct
one. 1t is at least flattering to our ma
tional vanity to know that pretty general
ly throughout the world we Americans
are looked upon as smart enough to take
up the work and carry 1t successfully
through which with men of other nation
alities requires years Of most careful train
ing.
On this score prominent public man
said to mo today that he was tired OF hear
ing that an American could not make
good diplomatic representative abroad be-
cause he lacked training. 1T Is altogether
a matter of common sense and shrewd-
ness. he said, land this Is where Ameri-
cans are strong. do not care how much
training man has had, unless he is
strong man, an independent thinker,
self reliant man, courageous man, ne is
not going to make success III diiiicult
diplomatic field / have been In the Dip
lomatic service myself, and have watched
q good many others. And tell you that
some of the biggest successes ever scored
by our countrymen were made by men
serving for the first time. have also no.
ticed that the diplomatic representatives
of other countries are often overtrained-
that Is, they become too mechanical, they
lack courage, they are afraid to carve out
their own careers, they stick too closely
by tradition. Give mo the genuine Ameri-
can every time
The Case Of Mr.. Rockhill.
A case in point Is that Of Mr.. Rockhill,
now our minister to Greece Mr.. Rock
hin "a one of the few trained diplomatists
we have In this country. He has seen
service I'm China and elsewhere. He was
a long time in tho state department.. He
knows all the ins and outs OF the dipio-
matio game. Recently it was suggested
that the president would do much better
were he to send Mr.. Rockhill from Greece
to China and let Mr.. Bryan have Mr..
Rockhill's place at Athens. One point OF
strength In this suggestion was the TACT
that Mr.. Rockhill not only knows China
but speaks the language OF the country
I happen to know, however, that Presi-
dent Mckinley, who is pretty snrewd
Judge of men, thinks Mr.. Rockhill should
stay where he Is and that Mr.. Bryan
should be sent to Peking. 1.-The trouble
with Mr.. Rockhill," said the president to
A recent caller, sis that he has served
too long under others. He lacks self reli-
ance He would never do to handle q
difficult affair, because he would be afraid
to trust to himself He would not dare
make move without cabling home Tor
instructions. Iwant men accustomed 20
standing on their own resources.
Possibly 1t is just here we get cue 90
the remarkable success Of our. unframed
diplomats throughout the world In conf
Of Ion va RI Z