New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-04-16
AnglO-AmeriCan Memories
Copyright. 1911. George ". smalley.,

room. He never acquired the small
graces and social dexterity OF a man who
begins as attache and climbs through
long years 10 the top Of his profession.
But he became the greatest Ambassa-
dor England ever sent 10 the United
states. He was so great that il matters
little whether he grated upon the parent
stock OF sterling character and qualities
the flower and foliage bearing scions that
ornament the trunk in which flows the
sap that vitalizes the tree. will give
you later one brilliant example Of his
unfitness to contend with colleagues who
practised, upon him or against him, the
articles by which a diplomatic expert
thinks it permissible to entrap an op-
ponent.
so new was Sir Julian u his new post
that during all this lunch he felt his
way. Every sentence had the air of
having been considered. Nothing was
allowed to pass his lips except as a sec
ond thought. Lord Rosebery noticed
this, and tried TO give freer course TO
the talk. but could not. do not think I
was the obstacle. for later. as We walked
away together. Sir Julian poured out his
soul. His delight in n. life now open
ing before him flowed freely into words.
His talk became spontaneous and his
mood coniding. I was so much encour-
aged by this that presently I told him I
thought it might be for the interest OF his
mission il, before he landed in New York,
the Americans were allowed to learn
move about him than they yet had.
Without knowing II l had struck the
right note. 1t was the interest Of his
mission and not his own which he cared
for. He said:
Yes. your people cannot know much
about me. nor can even the President or
your Secretary Of State. with whom I
am 70 do business. II you think an &C
count Of my official life would help. I will
give YOU the material, 10 make such use
Of as you think bos,'
| am quite certain no such idea as this
had occurred to him before and he GER
tainly had no conception Of what he
might be called upon TO face in the way
Of publicity on his arrival In America I
can imagine that Journalism, as such.
was not what most appealed 10 him. But
he saw quickly that II might have uses.
and was perhaps reader to avail himself
OF them than if he had served long ap-
premiership to diplomacy in European
capitals. l warned him I should send an
appreciation as we'll Us the facts In
short. l think he saw that an introduc-
ton 10 the American people through
The York Tribune would he as
likely as anything else 70 put him on
good terms with them and with the Off
cial world in Washington. He gave me
the material. wrote the letter and The
Tribune published IT,
As l did not leave London till 1895.
I saw little OF the new Minister before
that date. But when went TO New
\ ork for "The Times" I saw much. in
the way OF duty and otherwise He had
then been six years Minister and after
1898 Ambassador Yet his natural sim
Ilicity and kindness OF heart had sur
vived this experience. and when he heard
was going 10 Washington on a visit he
asked me 10 stay at the Embassy. 7
should have liked nothing better than
to be his guest, but / knew IT would not
do. either Cor him or for me- An Am
bassador cannot afford 10 keep a tame
xI,,,.
a ford 10 be tanned. or 10 be under any
but inevitable obligations TO anybody.
The inevitable are more than enough. 7
explained 10 him that as his guest
should Put myself under an obligation.
and that as the Times representative
I must be, first Of all, Independent.
Il may have 10 Criticise you and I can
not do that from under your roof"
He thought ! was very stiff about il.
but assented. There grew up between
us. none the less. friendship which
lasted. unbroken and uncheckered, 10 the
day Of his death and lasts still. Dur
ing the Venezuela negotiations 7 came
very near 10 offending him-perhaps
did offend him. since some OF these ne
gotiations were unofficial, and were
transa cted outside OF the Embassy and,
for a time. without the knowledge o. the
Ambassador But his was too large
nature 20 quarrel or take umbrage on
point Of etiquette. He never made any
other than an indirect allusiOn 10 my
relations with Mr.. Olney. nor do I sup
nose that he ever knew the whole truth.
There was no reason why he should, nor
do I believe for a moment ii would have
troubled the friendship between us if
he had. Whatever he knew. that friend
ship went on strengthening. was in
debted to it and 10 him in many ways.
cannot acknowledge that too freely. Then
there came an hour when. thanks u his
confidence and 10 my connection with
THE Times" I was able 10 repay my
debt in part. and to do him a service.
Debt and repayment are, at best. but
terms, and not quite apt.
We were friends, that is enough: that
covers the obligations on both sides. and
shall speak Of them as acts Of friend
shin. as acts arising partly from mutual
regard. but. on Lord Pauncefote's side,
first and always from public duty
q. W. :.