New-York tribune., 1906-08-24
MUST BE LINGUISTS.
Necessary That Statesmen Should
knozo Foreign Languages.

President Roosevelt speaks excellent German and
good French. but. with the exception possibly Of
! Mayor Mcclellan. there are few American men in
public life who ave these accomplishments Atten-
sicn is called 20 this fact by the discussion now in
progress IN connection with the linguistic attain
ments OF European statesmen. During the recent
Ahter-Farlamentary Congress in London. which
was attended by leading legislators from all parts
OF the civilized world and was conducted the
same lines that held at ST. Louis two years ago.
the members were addressed by the British Pre-
lnier, Sir Henry Campbell Bannerman, in the most
perfect idiomatic French nearly wholly free from
any trace of foreign accent His predecessor the
head OF the government, namely Arthur BaIfour. is
equally proficient in French and possesses a very
extensive acquaintance with French literature.
both the Secretary of War. the Right Hon. Richard
haldane and the Secretary for ireland. the Right
faon James Bryce. enjoy a complete mastery OF
the German language and a knowledge Of Teuton
literature that excited the amazement of the
German editors when they visited London just be-
fore the close OF the Parliamentary season.
In Paris there Is DR.. Clemenceau, the Minister OF
the interior and the strong OF the Cabinet,
VINO talks English with much facility French,
ana with many American figures of speech, ac-
qufed from living for several years in this country
as teacher and a medical practitioner and also
from his American wife 0heir marriage having
been. however. dissolved some time ago.
In Italy the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Senator
Tittoni. is graduate of the University of Oxford.
where he edited with success of the university
papers. and at Berlin the Chancellor of the EN-
pires French and Italian are quite as good as his
German. The late Duke of Almodovar, who died
the other day while Minister of Foreign Affairs at
Madrid anc presided at the international congress
at Algecras last spring spent his entire boyhood in
England where he received hts education az OF
the big English schools, and Baron Iswolski the
new Minister OF Foreign Affairs in ST. Petersburg
Is a wonderful lnguist speaking not only French
ana German, but also English italian and Japanese.
generation knOv rfadg n
esn languages was much less than it is
to-day among public in Europe. That the
minister CT Foreign Affairs should know French
falrly well was considered TO be an advantage, yet
not Indispensable, but the other members Of the
administration were, a rule. lamentably deficient
in this respect have related ere this in these let
tiers the efforts of the late Lord Ampthi OF
late Lord Salisbury to prevent Lord Beaconsned
from rendering himself ridiculous by addressing
speech in French TO the members OF the Interna-
tional Congress at Berlin in 1873. 1t only by
means Of the most subtle fattery and by insinuat-
Ing that the congress was anxious be treated to
the finest English oratory by it's greatest living
master that he could be induced to deliver his
contemplated speech in English. instead OF French.
which he spoke abominably with most excruciat-
ing accent This did not prevent him from plenti-
fully interlarding his conversation with French
words, and there in particular which he
was immensely fond of using. namely, "epioier''
(grocer), which he would apply in a tone Of in
effable contempt 70 people who did not live up to
MS standard OF breeding, whom he regarded
commonplace. and even vulgar. / am sorry TO add
that he sometimes used the expression in connec-
tlon with the most respectable member Of the Cab
met over which he presided.
such linguistic ignorance as that displayed by
Lord Beaconsfeld in 1878 would be still more awk-
ward in the case Of a Prime Minister NOWADAYS
knowledge OF foreign languages has become in
dispensable to leading statesmen, and, in view OF
the active role which the United States is now
playing in international politics it is ahsoluteJv
necessary in 1orr1 she
devote more attention to equipping themselves with
this particular accomplishment than has hitherto
been the case.
WHY GENERAL DE NEGRIER DID NOT FIRE.
No end Of speculation has been INDUCED in by the
French and foreign press the refusal Of Cen
eraI ce Nesrier TO fire in the duel which place
the other day between himself and the former Min
lister OF War, General Andre, In the garden OF
Prince Murat's great mansion on the Pare Mon
ceau, in Paris. At the word of command General
Andre fred and missed, but General de Negrier de-
clined to return the fire. and handed back his pistol
to his seconds telling them to take of IT, since 1t
was still loaded. 1t is added that General Andre
betrayed signs of dismay and annoyance" and
that the two men left the so-called field Of honor
without the customary reconciliation.
No wonder General Andre disturbed, for the
real reason Of General de Negriers refusal to fire.
after having duly exposed himself to the shot of his
adversary. the contempt which he felt for Cen
eral Andre, which is shared by almost every other
wearer OF epaulettes in the army and navy II recalls
the memorable duel between the twenty-third Lord
Crawford and Benedict Arnold George III had
introduced the earl to Arnold at ST. Jamess Pal
ace. Lord Crawford. who had received thirteen
American bullets through his coat at the battle of
Ticonderoga remarked. "Ah the traitor" and put
his hand behind his back. Arnold challenged him.
thereupon. to duel. and the encounter took place
Arnold fired and missed Lord Crawford who had
refrained from firing. thereupon walked away
why don't you FREQ cried out Arnold.
AT you?" exclaimed Lord Crawford, over his
shoulder. NO. sir; leave you to the hangman."
This little story will serve explain the conduct
Of General de Negrer in his duel the other day
with General Andre, and will set at rest the
speculatons which have been INDUCED in as to
the true reasons which led linn TO refrain from re-
turning his adversary's fire.