The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1906-10-24

slow. no one seeming to detect genius
lander. and discouraged by the hum
drum life Denison sought and obtained
a consuar clerkship at Yokohama.
Japan was just then opening up to
our world and upon the few known
facts of the country had been builded
romance that chained the imagination
OF the young department clerk. He
crossed the Pacific late in the COS
upon journey that was to open to him
his great career in life. These con-
sular days really prepared Denison
for his career.
There were extra territorial rights
in those days, and from those rights
and the first unfair treaties negotiat-
ed with Japan grew a vast number
Of intricate legal questions.
Denison's inclination was to the
law. First student of 1t because of
the necessities of his work, he later
became a master of it through his
growing love for It. The possessor
of completely balanced judicial mind,
judgment as dispassionate as a
machine and memory almost as &C.
curate as the graver's art, he made
splendid progress in the law, and with
In few years he resigned from the
consular service to practice law pri-
vately among the foreign community
in Japan.
Frequent examples of his talent
brought him to the notice of the jap
anese government, and in 1880 Count
1nouye, one of the elder statesmen of
Japan, then minister of foreign affairs.
invited him to join the permanent
staff Of his Office.
In those year there were hundreds
of western teachers. experts and guides
of various kinks in the employ of the
government teaching the people the
ways of the west; but the pupils soon
became masters and score by score
instructors were dropped. Only a
handful now remain and Denison is
their leader. in rank, pay and consid-
Grafton.
Denison had broadened and pro-
crossed with his work until in his
knowledge Of International law, the
history Of diplomacy, usage and GUS
tom and the general scienceof govern
ment he is to the equal of any living
man. 1t is difficult to single out the
particular achievements of this wond-
erful, silent, reserved man who stands
forever In the background, but there
has not been an important foreign
affair for 20 years In which he has
not been consulted.
Throughout the troublesome days
of the war with China he was ever
at the side of Count Mutsu, then min
lister Of foreign affairs. Denison's part
In that piece Of history will probably
never be known. All that we know Of
1t is that at the close Of the war Dem
ison was summoned to court to receive
handsome grant Of money and the
thanks of the royal family.
In the affair with Russia he was
constantly at the side of Baron Kom
ura. and British diplomat was heard
to declare that Denison wrote in be-
half Of Japan the bulk Of the wonder
full correspondence from Toxic, pithy,
incisive, clear and logical, that pre-
coded the war.
The same British diplomat was
authority for the statement that
Denison advised the Japanese govern
ment throughout the negotiations for
the first treaty alliance with Great
Britain.
Denison played an important part
In the treaty revision that 10 years ago
claimed the attention of the world, and
there have been few domestic con-
Germs of high Importance in which his
wonderful knowledge, judgement and
resource have not been used to great
advantages by the Japanese govern
ment. At Portsmouth, when Witte
and Komura had concluded peace.
Denison was designated, on behalf OF
the Japanese, to fran the agreement
and treaty that were later signed.
There have been changes innumer-
able In the government Of Japan since
Denison first entered the service, but
each succeeding cabinet has recogniz.
ed his worth and insisted on his re.
tention. He has received the highest
decorations granted by the crown to
those who are not princes of the blood
and II he ever cared to take advantage
OF great honorary position he would
be welcomed everywhere Throughout,
the land as great noble. He is one
OF very small number of foreigners
ever admitted to the slightest of in.
innate approaches to the emperor,
and among his valued possessions are
! several costly imnerial presents