Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-15
HIS COMMENTS FRANK
Gen. Fosters Estimate of His
] Contemporaries.
PRAISE OF PRESIDENTS
High Tribute to the Diplomats He
Knew.
MR.. EvARTS WITHOUT METHOD
Bayard Out of Place in STATE De-
partment-John Hays Career
Memorable in History.
BY WILLIAM r. CURTIS.


Written for Tho Star and the Chicago Record
Herald
In his Diplomatic Memoirs. which
we're reviewed in a recent letter. Gen
John w. Foster speaks with unusual
frankness concerning many OF his co.
temporal ies in the United States and for
eign countries. He says: 1T is crafty
Ing to know that all the Presidents con-
sidered in this chapter were men Of high
character and pure life. and IL the Presi-
dents OF the United States from the foun-
dalton Of the government are contrasted
with the European monarchs Of the same
period. in both intellectual and moral
character. the comparison will be highly
favorable to our country"
Mr.. Foster relates an interview with
John Bright, and says: II had much
pleasure in expressing to him the i'm
mense debt OF gratitude which our peo-
pie felt for his untiring and valuable
service in our behalf in the greatest
crisis of our history. He was. Of all
Englishmen. the most devoted and con-
sistent friend of the Union cause in our
great struggle. Gladstone. for instance.
q warm admirer of our institutions, fail
But Bright never faitered or lost faith.
He was a thorough believer in democracy
and the dignity of labor
Gen. Foster also had a great admira-
tion for the late Marquis of Dufferin. who
was his associate at the court OF st.
Petersburg, and says he had the Ches-
terrified graces. was admired by women,
popular with men and a favorite in the
drawing room and the court. II was
Dufferin's difficult role to smooth the ir-
ritation OF Russia and quiet the alarm
in India. II is high praise to say he
discharged his task with success. He was
ably supported throughout his entire pub
lie career by Lady Dufferin. a woman
much tact. great hospitality and a
humane spirit
The most distinguished and &C.
complished diplomatist have ever met
he says. was Prince Alexander Gortcha-
koff. chancellor of the Russian empire
Gortchakoff was the best type in his day
Of the trained diplomatist.''
Best of Russian Rulers.
Il was very agreeably impressed with
the emperor alexander II Of Russia). His
personal appearance was quite attractive
He had an erect and soldierly bearing,
expressive blue eyes. possessed great
grace OF manner. was affable and pleas
ing In conversation. l have met no
other sovereign with whom personal In
tercourse was so cordial or agreeable.
Alexander III. I think. will be recorded
nlBtOTys as nOt the BTedIeSt, Out Ine
best. of Russian rulers. Had his sue
cessors on the throne been wise enough
to have adopted his policy and carried
to perfection the measures inaugurated
been saved much OF the humiliation which
it has been forced to undergo. and the
turmoil and disorders through which 1t
has had to pass in later years,
Il left the emperor nicholas I'D with
q favorable impression Of his character
and ability. He was youthful In appear
ance for his years. he had the kindly lock
in his eyes. which so distinguishes his
mother. and he inspired me with his
sincerity and conscientiousness."
During one of Mr. Fosters visits to
st. Petersburg the city was decorated
in anticipation of another heir to the
throne. and the event occurred while he
was having an interview with Count de
White. the great minister of finance and
he says: I'm the midst of our CONVERSE
ton the telephone bell on his desk sound
ed. and he asked me to excuse him to
answer the call. brief conversation in
Russian took place through the instru-
ment. and he hung up the receiver with
an impetuous jerk. with the remark to
me: It's a girl. and resumed the silver
discussion as II nothing Of moment had
occurred"
Noted Spanish Statesmen.
Senior Canovas. whether judged by his
record of achieved results or by bis
ability or attainments, must be regarded
as the first Spanish statesman Of his
generation He says. OF all the prime
ministers with whom had to do. I found
Canovas the most satisfactory in our of.
fetal intercourse
''Segasta was the most astute and ac-
complished politician of his day He
was sometimes termed the James G.
Blaine of Spanish politics. A born leader
bold and aggressive toward his oppo-
nents. he always commanded a large and
devoted band of blind followers, and
was not prescriptions in his partisan
methods.
The most widely known and most ad-
mired at home of the political leaders (of
SPAIN was Emilio CASTELAR, But This
reputation was based upon his brilliant
oratorical gifts and his accom- plishments
as writer. for he was not successful as
n leader Of men,
Gen: Foster expresses his admiration
for Cardinal Rampolla. who was papaI
nuncio at Madrid during his residence
there. and afterward cardinal secretary
OF state TO Pope Leo XIII. Had he
been made the head of the church, the
complications with France which arose
under Plus would doubtless have been
avoided. Mr.. Foster says. 1T has been
well said that In such an emergency
what the Vatican needed was not %
much a saint as a statesman"
He describes Sir Julian Pauncefote for
mer British ambassador In Washington.
az "a good type Of the refined Enslish
gentleman. He made no speeches, he did
not permit himself TO be interviewed by
the press. and he was the author of no
memorable dispatches. But he was
methodcal, and attended to business: a
I..ast 81 SCUM Judgment. and IMPRESSED
every one who came In contact with him
with his perfect sincerity and conscien-
tiousness.
The members OF the diplomatic corps
in the United States were not all OF the
type of Lord Pauncefote. While the
heads Of missions were usually men OF
ability and refinement, they were some
times lacking i'm the higher qualities OF
stAtesmanshlp and morality. One of the
ablest of those OF later years was Count
Caseini. the ambassador OF Russia His