The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-01-31
A TESTIMONIAL
FOR JULES CAMBON
President at a Loss as to How to
Reward Him.
MANY THINGS SUGGESTED
Most Popular Idea is to Present the
French Ambassador
WITH HANDSOME SILVER SERVICE
Spanish Government Has Already Re-
warded tho Attaches of the French
Legation, and Mr.. Mckinley
Feels Compelled to Do So.
WITH HANDSOME SILVER SERVICE

Washington, January 30.-(Specia1.)-T
president is greatly perplexed as to how he
can show his appreciation of the services Of
Monsieur Cambon, the French ambassador
during the signing of the protocol, without
offending the sense of the American people
or giving offense to England in any way. 1t
has been argued by some that there is no
need for the United States to express any
appreciation to NJ. Cambon, as he was act
ing In the interest of Spain. This was true
at the beginning, but at the end III. Cam
bon acted in a mutual capacity, and the
thanks expressed to him by the president
and the secretary of state attest this. 1t
Is one Of the few instances in history where
a cessation of hostilities was secured with
out the actual parties to the contest meeting
under flag of truce and signing the pro-
-tocol themselves.
But whether M. Cambon was acting pri-
marily for Spain or not, he did much by his
iIect methods of procedure to bring about
peace, and 1t was his advice to Spain that
finally lead that unfortunate country to dis
continue hostilities and seek immediate
CESSATION
Cambon's StaUesmanship
Cambons methods are very much those
of the American statesman. He is direct,
strictly honest and avoids all ambiguous
terms. His relations with this government
were most friendly, too. The president and
Secretary Hay realize that some apprecia-
ton should be shown the French ambassa-
dor, but just how to accomplish this is what
Is perplexing the administration.
There are not many ways open to the
president of this republic, as he can nave
few dealings with foreign countries or their
representatives without the consent of con-
gress. The highest tribute We can give is
a vote of thanks from congress, but should
such a vote be proposed there is the fear
that some demogogue would take advantage
of the discussion to offer some insult to
France, or to rehash the old straw which
was beaten out at the time of the war.
Gould Give q Medal
The president could, with consent of con-
gress, order the bureau of engraving and
printing to strike off a gold medal with
$500 or 5000 worth of gold in 1t, but there
would be the same fear accompanying this
proposition as the one to extend the thanks
of congress to the, French ambassador. Then
too, it must be admitted with something
akin to humiliation that the bureau here,
while able to turn out exquisite banknotes
is hardly up to the task of cutting a madal-
lion such as would pass muster in the ar
tistc circles in the center of art.
There is one other suggestion that would
accomplish the result and which would be
even more pleasing to the ambassador,
doubtless than a medal. That is to pre-
sent to M. Cambon a piece of silver plate,
in which work we excel the world. The
president could do this without the con-
sent of congress and the token would be
something which would always be on view
and become a valuable heirloom in the
ambassadors family. 1t would not be as
expensive as a medal designed by an artist
of note and little more than one turned out
from the bureau of engraving and print
ing.
The Most Popular Plan
The presentation of piece of plate is one
of the most popular means abroad of show
ing appreciation of some International act
of courtesy. When NJ. Roustand was here
as ambassador from France, he had on
his table magnificent center piece which
had been given him in Tunis and which
he said was the greatest incentive to con-
versation when guests of all nations were
around his table.
The president has funds at his disposal
which he would be at liberty to use for the
purchase of such piece of plate.
The Spanish government immedia tely af-
ter the signing of the protocol bestowed a
decoration on NJ Cambon and presented to
each member of the French legation here
a handsome gold medal. The Spanish
government paid the same courtesy to the
Austrian embassy and bestowed the high
est decoration in it's gift.
But the case of NJ Cambon is somewhat
different to that of the others, for he per-
formed actual services for our government,
no mater how much he was the representa-
tive of Spain. In that capacity he was
acting for his government, but the personal
labors he performed demand recognition
from America just as they did from Spain.
Several times this government has had to
find its way out of similar difficulties Count
Cont. who presided as umpire at the &C.
neva arbitration was presented set of sill
yer which cost over $1,000 The arbiters
in the Behring sea tribunal were each paid
IS, 900 in gold and their expenses.
In this case it would promote the friendly
feeling between the two republics. The do
nation of a piece of plate to M. Cambon
would be pleasing to the French and salts
fly our own national pride. The French
government did all in it's power to make
the work of the peace commissioners pleas
ant. 1t furnished quarters and set lunches
daily for the commissioners. There is eV-
cry reason why the courtesy should be re-
paid, and there seems no way to do 1t
save by presenting some testimonial to
the accredited ambassador to this country.
MIR. Washburne's Precedent
The constitution prohibits any officer of
this government from accepting any gift
from a foreign power or potentate. Many
instances have occurred where our officers
abroad have had to decline presents which
must have been hard for them to do. For
instance during the Frapco-Prussian war,
Mr. Washburne, our minister then in
France, looked after the interests of the
Prussian government. Upon the declara-
ton of peace, the German government
presented to Mr.. Washburne miniature
of Emperor william set I'm frame of dia-
monds Mr.. Washburne declined the gift
on account of its great value, but after.
wards accepted an ordinary portrait OF
Emperor William and one of Bismarck.
Ex-Governor Pickens. OF South Carolina
at one time minister to st. Petersburg
got permission from the United States gov
| eminent to accept portrait OF the car.