The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1901-11-16
DICKINSON AND MISS STONE.

1 DlCNiNSON AMI MISS = ONE
The management Of the Stone case viii
surely be the subject of severe criticism
not only in the United States but
throughout the entire civilized world.
when the facts are known. writes w <.
! Curtis from Sofia 10 the Chicago Record
| Herald. As We have no diplomatic or
consular representation in Bulgaria, the
consul general at CcuStanrinople was
sent there TO take charge. and. al
I though Mr.. Dickinson has been guided
| by conscientious motives. has been in
continuous consultation with the Amer
/ Jean missionaries and has received his
| instructions from Spencer Eddy. secre-
! tary of the United States legation at
Constantiouople. acting as charge DAT
| flares in the absence OF Mr.. Leishman.
our minister. his policy is disapproved
/ by every person have talked with II
Sofia, including the Russian. British, Ger
mar and Austrian ministers. all OF whom
! have had long experience. understand the
political situation ana are familiar with
the affairs and the character of the Sui
garian people. Alr. Eddy is a very bright
and estimable young man. q grandson 81
the late Judge eaton and a son Of Au-
gustus \. Eddy, the well-klown lawyer
OF Chicago. lie has the advantage of
thorough education and three years as
sociation with Secretary Hay as his pri-
vate secretary while ambassador at Lon
don. He spent several months as sec
ond secretary under General Horace Por-
ter at Paris. and was transferred 20 Con-
stantinople last spring. where he is prac-
ticaily a stranger and entirely without
| experience or knowledge Of Bulgarian al
fairs. Nevertheless the department OF
state has ingusted him with the respon-
sibility of directing the movements Of
Consul General Dickinson by telegraph
at distance Of twenty-four hours
travel.
Mr. Dickinson was formerly editor of
the Binghamton, y. Y. Times. he is a
gentleman OF ability. integrity and high
character. but speaks no other lam
guase than his own, is entirely without
experience in diplomatic affairs, but has
sufficient self-conhdence 10 decline the
advice and cooperation Of his COLI
leagues in the diplomatic corps, admits
no one TO his confidence. and is conduct
ing matters here as he would have done
at his home in Binghamt0n.
Mr.. Dickinson is convinced, which IS
probably true, that the Bulgarian govern
ment is trying 10 shield the bandits and
escape liability for their acts. he be-
lieves. upon the best OF evidence, that
Miss Stone was kidnapped by the members
of a local branch Of the Macedonian
committee, and has spent five weeks in
trying to compel the government TO com
pei the Macedonian committee 10 com
pei its representatives at Samakon to
compel the bandits to release Miss Stone
without the payment Of ransom As one
of the veteran members of the diplomatic
corps here expresses It, he has been
pounding a bladder.
The government is powerless to COM
ply with his demands. even if it were
willing 10 do so. because it fears the
Macedonian committee more than it fears
the United States. The Macedonian COM
mittee is stronger than the government.
and is equally determined TO protect its
own reputation and escape the odium
which it must endure II IL were shown
that its representatives were implicated
in the outrage. Mr.. Dickinson also ar
CUES that a dangerous precedent would
be created by the payment of ransom,
and insists that the Bulgarian govern
ment, If it were so disposed. could Sc
cure the release Of Miss Stone by moral
suasion and an offer of immunity from
punishment 10 the bandits. Other mem
bers of the diplomatic corps have en-?
deavOred TO convince Mr.. Dickinson that
he is wasting his time. and. TO use "a
slang expression. is barking up the wrong
tree. They have had experience in these
matters and consider themselves better
qualified TO judge of the situation. but
Mr.. Dickinson maintains dignihed re-
serve and stin feels confidence Ia his own
judgment and the wisdom of his instruc-
lions.
You must rescue Miss Stone FIRST said
Mr. Bakhmetef the Russian minister.
who has had six years experience at
Sofia and fifteen years in other fields of
diplomacy, "and then take your time To
discuss questions of liability with both
Bulgaria and Turkey.
II can take care OF Turkey all right"
answered Mr. Dickinson.
I am glad TO hear that retorted the
Russian minister sarcastically. Aiy
government has been trying 10 take care
of Turkey for several hundred years.
and would be very glad to avail itself Of
your services when you have finished
with the Stone case"