New-York tribune., 1909-12-15
Literary NesOS and Criticism,


burg. on his retirement from this mis-
sion. I'm the autumn Of 1881. Mr.. Foster
settled down TO the practice OF law I'm
Washington. but less than two years
later, in February, 1883, President Ar
thur requested him 10 accept the mission
10 Spain. with which country he desired
60 conclude a treaty OF commercial rec
iprocity for Cuba and Porto Rico. out
OF his experience in Spain grew his ap-
pointment. in 1891. by President Harri-
son. as special agent 10 conduct the ne
gotiations with various countries for
commercial reciprocity i'm connection
with the Mckinley tariff. This took him
again 20 Madrid. in the interest Of
Cuban sugar. whittier he proceeded via
London. where King Leopold. then ia
that city. saw him on the subjec: OF the
Congo State treaty. which had just
passed the Senate. The time occupied
on this special service" says Mr.. Foster.
from the date OF my departure from
Washington TO my return. covered six
weeks. II was one OF the most prompt
and successful missions ever undertaken
by me. The reciprocity arrangement
went into effect without delay" A brief
chapter is devoted to the results OF the
negotiations with the representatives OF
different countries at Washington in
1890. under Mr.. Fosters charge.
Mr.. Foster succeeded James G. Blaine
as Secretary OF State during the closing
days Of Mr.. Harison's administration,
and in 1893 served as agent of the
United States before the tribunal Of ar
bitration which met in Paris 10 sit on
the Bering Sea question. In December.
1894, he was invited by the Chinese gov
eminent 10 act as its legal adviser in
the peace negotiations with Japan. and
accepted the signal honor after consult
ing Mr.. Gresham. Mr.. Cleveland's Secre-
tary OF State. The Japanese govern
ment. through its Foreign Minister.
Count Mutsu. officially announced In
the native press its satisfaction with Mr..
Fosters selection. From the account Of
the negotiations we quote a specimen Of
Oriental courtesy between Marquis Ito
and Ii Hung Chang:
Ito was born here
- ~ hat IN this district? How far
luh-AboGt twenty miles
LL-Tnen this is the birthplace OF IA
Ito.-But not to be compared with the
IIoNlhce or Anhui In China ithe birth
LL-Anhui resembles this province but
LIS produced TOO many unsuccessful
Ito.--say rather you would have sur
PASSED me
L-.What YOU have done for Japan I
wanted 20 initiate in China Had you
DlHCR WOniG .
unspeaksbls difficulties met with in China
Ito.-Ihere should have failed
on his return home after the conclu-
sion Of the treaty Mr. Foster was de-
tained for few days in Japan. waiting
for his steamer. Marquis Ito invited
him 10 visit him and gave private ex-
preston 20 his governments apprecia-
tion OF his able and conscientious per-
formance of his difficult task for the
Chinese government, and the leading
merchants of Toxic desired to tender
him a public banquet, which, however
in difference 10 his recent official ca
pacity, was changed into a private din
ner. He had already declined an offer
10 enter permanently the service or
China.
The book closes with chapters on the
Presidents and Secretaries Of state un-
der whom Mr. Foster has served, on
his international law practice and on life
in Washington. The work is packed
closely with information. easily con
Veyed, concerning some Of tho most i'm
portant International negotiations Of this
country during the last thirty-six years
and. IN addition. frequently throws light
on affairs and men at home during that
period as well. Let il be added in con-
clusion that its author fulhis TO per-
foction one Of tho greatest duties Of the
diplomatist. that OF never being dull.