New-York tribune., 1907-06-30
COMMENT ON MIR. BRYCE
DIPLOMATS INTERESTED.
Some Question Promiety of Remarks
ON Oklahoma Constitution.
IFrom The Tribune Bureau. I

tFrom The Tribune Bureau.l
Washington June 29-Some of the diplonats
who still remain in Washington have shown a
disposition to question the propriety of the COM
ment which the British Ambassador is quoted
as having made recently on the Oklahoma con-
stitution. Whether his comment, If made in the
language reported. will be considered improper
not. depends of entirely on the view
taken by the President and the Secretary of
State. who are known TO feel warm personal
friendship for Mr. Bryce.
During his recent visit to the Southwest Mr.
Bryce is quoted as having discussed extensively
the constitution framed by the Constitutional
Convention OF Oklahoma, and according to the
newspaper dispatches gave it high praise. 1t
Is generally understood that there many
features Of the instrument which fall far short
Of meeting with the approval of the President
who may feel compelled to disapprove it as not
conforming to the enabling act, and the ambas-
sador's remarks being made the subject Of
an investigation by the State Department.
Mr.. Bryce is reported to have commented
especially the initiative and referendum pro-
visions of the new constitution, and to have
pronounced many features Of the document in
line with the most modern thought in republi-
can forms of government. He is also reported
as having declared that careful examination
of the instrument revealed some of the most
commendable features Of the constitution OF
estimation, perhaps the most nearly perfect form
Of popular government.
The President, it is popularity understood,
tertains the opinion that some features OF the
Oklahoma constitution are decidedly objection
able. Within the last few weeks he has ordered
a special census of the prospective state with
presumably, the purpose Of demonstrating how
inequitable, not TO say iniquitous. is the gerry
mander proposed by the constitution.
The embarrassing of a situation in which
the British Ambassador could be quoted by the
political opponents of the President upholding
and commencing instrument which the lat
ter had found II necessary In the performance
Of his official duty to reject easily be ap-
preciated The fact that the present ambas-
sador long ago attained high standing as an
analyst and exponent of the American govern
ment through his authorship Of THE American
Commonwealth" would not only to
strengthen the force OF his commendation but
TO heghten the embarrassment Of the situation
The few diplomats who have learned the facts
express surprise that Mr.. Bryce should have
deemed Il judicous to tread on such delicate
ground as it is a cardinal principle Of dplo-
macy that a representative Of a foreign govern
ment should never voice publicly any opinion on
the internal affairs of the country 10 which he
IS accredited which might conflict with the
views of the administration.
on the other hand. II is noteworthy that Mr..
Bryce has generally been exceedingly cautious
since he came TO Washington as ambassador of
hts Britannia majesty. While receiving mem
bers of the press with the utmost courtesy, he
has firmly declined to commit himself on any
question Of American policy or government, and
il is generally believed that If he said Of the
Oklahoma constitution those things which are
credited TO him IL was because he wholly over
looked the fact that the instrument was In the
hands of the President awaiting executive ap-
proydl, ana that he prompted solely by
desire to compliment the hOspitabie people who
happened to be his hosts.
The suggestion has been made that the am
bassador may have been mised by his personal
host Robert L. owen. who. while he was in the
Southwest, was the primary choice Of the
Democrats Of Oklahoma for Senator II seems
unlikely that the latter would have sought de-
liberately TO involve the ambassador IN difficult
ties with the Administration. y but II may be
that Mr.. owens own enthusiasm for the instrU-
Inent which IS the work OF his party may have
proved contagious. and that he may have
sought 10 convince Mr.. Bryce Of the beauties OF
constitution which appeals TO himself
1t IS. OF course. likely that because Of the warm
personal friendship which the President enter
tains for Mr.. Bryce ne may determine to avoid
making OF this occurrence diplomatic incident.
despite the fact that II the Ambassador has
been correctly reported his words might be used
to the embarrassment OF the administration.
Were Il for this possibility the matter would
unduestionably be allowed 10 pass unnoticed. or
would be the occasion only of a personal sug
gesiion from the President 10 Mr.. Bryce that he
was on delicate ground. 1t is also possible OF
course that the Ambassador has been incorrectly
quoted, and It is TO ascertain whether that Is the
case that the State Department IS making its
inquiries II the matter is susceptible Of a sat
isfactory explanation. doubtless one will be
more pleased than the President and5the Secre-
tary Of State