The Washington herald., 1908-03-29
TRIBUTE TO D. W. STEVENS
CHARACTER SKETCH OF SLAIN DIPLOMAT
BY "ONE WHO KNOWS"

and efficient public servants It seems
strange that a man who had been ex-
posed to so many dangers, had taken so
many risks should meet his Seath at the
hand of an ignorant fanatic, son Of
that dark and ignorant country he had
been aiding TO enlighten and advance. but
assassination has ever been popular
tool with the political agitators Of the
Hermit Kingdom. His murderer. truly,
was what Mr.. Stevens called him. fool.
who did not understand. His insane act.
nevertheless, will inevitably affect the
progress Of Korea. and will add many
sympathizers 10 that body who are en-
deavoring 10 exclude the Mongolians from
these shores.
In the quarter Of century since Mr..
Stevens was appointed adviser 10 the
Japanese government he worked Loyalty,
untiringly, and intelligently IN her inter
est. How much Of the prestige she now
enjoys is directly due 10 him it is i'm
possible at this moment 10 estimate. for
his services were Of so delicate and init
mate a character that it is difficult 10
understandingly measure them at such
close range.
Only the future uninpassioned student Of
history who win read the story Of Japan 5
rise without prejudice can do that Mr..
Stevens work was undertaken con amore.
He admired and believed in the japanese,
and. although a comparatively young man
when he was first attached 10 the for
eign service OF Japan. he saw and pre-
dicted brilliant future for her; that sine
has fulfilled this prediction Is In no small
measure due 20 the prophet whose clever
diplomacy and firm hand guided her
safely in her new career. It is pleasant
10 chronicle that his labor for the Land
of the Rising Sun. his devotion 10 her IN
terests and his efectual work IN various
fields are fully recognized and abundantly
appreciated. There is only one opinion
lamong the officials at whose side hc
worked and the people OF the country h.
/ served, and the rewards that have come
in diverse forms, increased salary. decora-
tions. and warm words of praise from IN,
Emperor himself have occasioned general
| rejoicing.
Mr.. Stevens came Of good. old Puritan
stock. His father was Ezra Lincoln
Stevens, his mother Catherine Seymore
| Durham. and he was born in Washington
on February 1. IS5S Nineteen years later
he was graduated with honor from Ober-
lin College, and Immediately upon re-
/ ceiving his diploma he came 10 Wash
Ington. whore be matriculated at the
Columbian Law School. He remained al
this institution for three years, but did
not receive his degree, as shortly before
the time when he would have been grad
uatd he was appointed secretary OF the
American Legation az Tokyo. and left
/ Immediately for that post Like so many
who have become potent agents in the
world Of diplomacy, Mr.. Stevens served
/ his apprenticeship as a newspaper man,
and While he was studying law ar the
Capital became known as bright. ener-
getic collector Of news. who was so ac-
curate. so reliable, so courteous in the
handling OF all information intrusted "a
! him that he soon attracted the favorable
notice OF men in political life. and the
word was passed around that what
Stevens could not get was not worth
getting Judge Bingham's fancy toOB
/ a practical shape, and Immediately upon
receiving the appointment as Minister tc
Japan. he persuaded young Stevens "a
give UP. or postpone, at least. his ides
Of becoming a lawyer and accompany hin,
to Tokyo as secretary.
In those days the American Legation
at the japanese capital was a small af-
( fair as compared with the one we now
maintain there. and the position of its
secretary no sinecure. but 70 this Office
Mr.. Stevens brought the same ability
/ the same enthusiasm that had marked
his short career as a newspaper man
and 10 these qualities he gradually added
/ a knowledge Of diplomacy that gave hin
an enviable position among his colleague
and secured for him the respect and ad-
miration Of the japanese officials with
whom he came in contact. In his OdC
I moments he studied and learned the Jap
anese language. so that he could botf
speak and write Il fiuently. at the same
/ time delving deep in japanese history
and familiarizing himself with her Gus
I toms and traditions. His agreeable ad-
/ dress, his foresight, cleverness. and un-
/ tagging zeal made such an impression
upon the leading statesmen of japan
that they ende9vored TO secure his serv.
ices for their foreign Office. and finally
/ induced him. after ten years OF uninter-
ton, 70 resign his post and accept ar
Office in their bureau of foreign affairs.
/
/ Mr. Stevens entered the government
service Of Japan in 1883. and was at ono,
| sent as counselor Of legation to his old
home in Washington, when he wa.
! shortly recalled to dc. special work in The
! foreign Office as member of the bureau
du protocol and OF the conference for the
| revision OF treaties between Japan and
| foreign powers. This work accomplished
with credit and distinction. he was SEN
with an embassy 70 Korea TO adjust
serious difficulties that had arisen be
tween China, Japan, and that country
His effective work in this connection
/ brought him 10 the attention of tn,
Emperor. who rewarded him with tn,
/ Order of the Rising Sun, third class
A year later he was appointed TO tn.
/ second class of this order. and for hi,
services in the Chino-Japanese wal
was distinguished by the decorations o.
the first and second class Orders of III.
! Sacred Treasure. On his last visit I,
Tokyo. which, unhappily. proved to b,
his last one. the Emperor honored Mr.
/ Stevens by bestowing upon him tht
! highest decoration In his gift. the first
class of the Order Of the Rising Sun. anC
am honorarium Of $4,000 a year
Mr.. Stevens was again transferred Z
/ Washington in 1881. and remained her,
] uninterruptedly until lSe3 Tlaking tn,
I path smooth for the Minister. instructins
young attaches in their duties. and fore
stalling any adverse criticism Of the lega
tons affairs. Had the counselors of tn.
! Chinese and Korean legations been a,
tactful, far-seeing, and as capable as Mr.
Stevens. none Of the stories of the bizarr,
doings at these legations the Nun
| Cha1sSen like fu1ac NTH Tsf+fo