The Washington herald., 1907-07-14

London. July 13.-Mark Twain sailed to-
day. and it is fitting that a serious word
should be said about his extraordinary
months visit to England No foreigner
has ever been treated as he has been
treated by the English people. His vel
come began as he walked down the gang
plank. when the stevedores on the dock
broke into cheers.
The highest and greatest in the land
have Joined eagerly in all forms of tribute
to this untitled friend OF all mankind. He
says himself that the universal welcome
by the masses at every opportunity has
pleased him most. The wonder is that
a man Of seventy-two. or any age. should
go through the enormous programme OF
the past four weeks and live to tell the
tale. Mr.. Clemens not only lived but
thrived upon it. and goes home to write
such a chapter of his biography as no
Dther American was ever able to record.
II the truth must be told Twains pop
ularity in England is of a warmer and
more personal nature than even in his
own country He has won the hearts of
Englishmen as no living writer has done,
and they love TO do him honor The
cheers at his departure to-day were of
different note from those on his arrival,
and for once his emotions sileneed him
as he waved gcod-by.
Diplomats Under Discussion.
Some of the comments recently cabled
about the social attitude of members Of
Ha Ar,orf,ov Ffvl,r,otf, ..~~. ,l.-1,l
have come back 70 Europe and have at
tracted some attention. It has revived
discussion Of the well-knOwn anachronism
that Americas representatives, in diplo-
macy are the richest and the poorest paid
Of any in the world. 1t is also true that
they make Q greater display than those
Of any other country.
It is not surprising, perhaps, that they
should outvie their colleagues in the en-
forcement of what they consider strict
social rules and precedence. Any Ameri-
can who expected the same treatment at
certain United States embassies in Eu-
rope as he would get, for instance. at the
State Department in Washington. would
run the risk Of an unpleasant snub.
If he was a consul general. the matter
might get talked about. but the wealthy
American gentlemen who represent
American democracy would scarcely mind
that. They know that the posts are not
sought foF-by any but those of independ-
ent means and probably Of the same So
cial tastes.
Do Not Look for War.
There is still a disposition in most of
the European capitals to take the Amer
ican-Japanese situation rather seriously.
Europe, however. suspects that the crisis
is largely artificial, or, rather. that it is
being aggravated by sinister manipula-
ton which is not entirely American or
japanese. It is sufficiently obvious. for
instance. that Russia would be only toe
glad to see her late enemy embroiIed with
America.
The idea held in st. Petersburg and Ber-
lin is that in case of war the japanese
would seize the Philippines and a practi-
cal deadlock would follow for perhaps
three or four years America would never
compromise such quarrel. but would go
10 work building ships.
Any time that she was ready 10 strike
effectively Russia would be prepared 70
take her revenge also. Then in case Great
Britain took a hand, Germany would Join
IN the general melee on the side of
America and Russia.
This is a fine, cold-bl0oded proposition.
but it is not worth losing sleep over 1t
merely suggests that the motives of some
lingo agitation in the press should be
closely watched