The Washington herald., 1907-10-06

Gossip in State Department and dipio-
matte circles has It that China has finally
decided 10 follow the example Of Japan
with regard to her diplomatic rePresen-
tation abroad and early in the new year
viii raise her legations In this city. Lon
don. Paris, st. Petersburg. Berlin. Vien-
ma. and Rome TO the rank Of full-nedged
embassies.
international etiquette requires that the
United States and the other governments
concerned should respond to this move on
the part Of China by raising their own
representatives at Pekln TO the grade Of
ambassadors. This. naturally. viii entail
a considerable increase in expenditure,
since ambassadors are compelled to
maintain a considerably greater state.
than mere ministers and receive CORE
spondingly larger pay and allowances.
An ambassador. among other rights, has
that OF demanding an audience with the
ruler 10 whom he is accredited whenever
he considers It necessary, and 20 deal
with him if need be over the heads Of
tbs minister of foreign affairs.
Old World Peculiar.
At no court Of the Old World is a thor
ough knowledge Of its etiquette Of such
vital Importance 10 the diplomats ac-
credited thereto as that Of Pekin. The
success OF the mission Of a foreign envoy
in the Chinese capital depends almost en-
tirely upon the experiences which he pos
sesses Of the customs. the obligations,
and Of the ethics of courtesy among the
official classes. With his extensive ac-
quaiHtance with China and the Chinese
the State Department entirely relies upon
William W. RockhiH the American Min
ister at Pekin, TO avoid mistakes so fire.
quently made by diplomats at Pekin,
and whom the Chinese dignitaries, though
specifically courteous. delight in subject
ing 10 a1ronts and indignities Of the
nature of which the victim is too often
bissfully ignorant but which are fully
appreciated by the natives, who gauge
the Importance and the prestige Of the
nation which he represents by the treat
ment which he accepts at the hands OF
the maudarins and officials
II the Chinese government should ele-
vate the Washington post to ambassa-
dorial rank. 10 IS question in the mind
OF knowing ones whether the appoint
ment OF Wu Ting-fang viii stand.
There are many officials who do not be-
lieve that the Chinese government in /
tended sending Wa Ting-fang here 10 /
again represent his government. but that /
the appointment was made for the Dur 4
pose of feeling the pulse OF the American I
government as TO its attitude toward the |.
policy pursued 10y Mr.. Wu while ac- /
credited here by his Celestial majesty. 1
Change in Grade Certain.
II the Chinese government elevates the
Washington post 20 an embassy. the I
American legation in Pekfn would also I
have TO be raised TO a corresponding
grade.
Should this be done it IS more than /
likely that Mr.. Rockhil would be ap-l
pointed the first American Ambassador /
at the court Of the Emperor Of China.
Chen Ku Shen. who has been the
Chinese charge d'afaires at London for 1
seven years, and also a student at oxford 4
University, and Is now or his way back
60 China. arrived in New York on the
Cedric yesterday
He was kept on the steamship for half
an hour by the immigration inspectors be-
fore they learned Jhat ne was not trying
To violate the laws as applied 70 the /
Chinese.