New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-03-19

with a good-natured and equally
frank intirnation that we pur- xs.ss.z.zssszssz
pose TO have II. aasAzzzassszszzszz4szz
Its adoption by Japan in all
the diplomatic exchanges which preceded and have
attended the Russo japanese war would seem to in
dictate that they far approve Of way of doing
things TO make It their own that in the evolution
OF statecraft and diplomacy they, like ourselves,
have reached the conclusion that a straight line
only the shortest path but also the best path
between any two given points. And the difference
between the old method and the nev-between the
use Of language, under the Talleyrand dicturn, to
conceal thought, and our own modern tendency to
tel the truth plainly and directly IS possible
is wide indeed.
l first became practically aware of the difference
IN the two methods in 1897, when was appointed
by President Mckinley as Minister Madrid. l
was in London on my way to Spain, when the
Spanish Premier, Canovas del Castillo assassi-
mated l went from Paris direct to San Sebastian,
the summer capital, because the Queen Regent was
there, and was presented TO her on September ! 3.
I had nv first formal and Official interview with
the Duke Of Tetuan Minister of Foreign Affairs five
DAYS later. In that interview | set forth clearly
and as Coureously could the desire of President
Mckinley for peace in Cuba and the duty and
sty Of the United States securing that peace was
suggested directly and Enthusiastically the usages
of diplomacy permitted. To each of the repre-
-entatlves Of the great powers who opened the
subject with me- the same frank direct statement
II the American necessity and the American pur-
pose was made and the Spanish Minister of Foreign
Affairs was given absolute and unqualified per-
mission 10 publish every word written or spoken
that should be addressed by the American Minister
10 the Spanish Government during his residence
at the Spanish court
This was the widest possible variation from the
centurv-old usages Of diplomacy. But it was
President McKinlev's way of dealing with the
delicate and pressing problem Of Cuba. 1t momen-
tously concerned the peace of the world, and he
met the issue at the threshold with entire frankness.
directness and offer OF publicity.
Our position was: The people of this country de-
Tnand peace. War has been IN progress for long
time in your Colony, which IS situated almost at
our door Its continuance involves the CONNER
ca activities the health and the welfare of the United
States. It must cease If youcannot suppress this
rebellion, 50 clearly rinical to the public interests
Of the republic the President will have ask Con-
gress 10 authorize interference and suppression OF
the disturbances within your colonial territory"
The diplomatic situation complicated by
natural failure Of the Spanish Ministry to under
stand our position; by their total inability to grasp
and believe in the American feeling in the
They felt that Cuba was theirs, and they believed
that they understood its administration much
better than we did fancy that the commerce OF
uba was largely in the control of Spanards
rather than Of Cubans; that Cuba owned at
home, 50 10 speak l think that they honestly felt
that we were thrusting ourselves into a business
which did not concern in the least. If they
had employed the new diplomacy as against the old
they quickly would have learned the truth. As a
matter Of fact l doubt if they had real con
cepton Of the truth until they learned II through
declaration Of war.
The strained relations existing between the two