The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1884-03-21


(From recent lecture by G. W. Ernst)
The diplomatic is the representative abroad Of thu
sovereignty of a nation. He is not popular, but 9
governmental represen ative. In this republic his
appointment is far removed from the direct inau-
ence Of the voting masses, and on the whole hs
may be said TO be beyond the reach OF Congress-
In this there is nothing incongruous with republ-
can principles. His function and his method are
necessarily characterized by secrecy and reserve.
Publicity aud popular discussion are incompatible
With the service for which he Is appointed. The
diplomatic is an official distinct in character from q
'onsul, and nf higher rank. The consul does NOS
represent the sovereign but Is only agent OF the
Verbment usually In its commercial relations,
The dip Ornate has in his vocation the sanction q
i'm ernational Law. The term word "inLernAtioa-
al law is of modern date. 1t was coinei BY Jsre-
my Bentham less than century ago, and hrst bs-
came formally recognized at the congress Of Yiear
ma in 1916.
Treaties between nations have the sa.cton ee
International law. and thus become part OF the
fundamental law of the land so long they rsmail
IN force. Leg Station BY anv one of the Unitsa
States for example, adverse 70 the con iitions Of
treatv with foreign ma ion would be void pr. chap
ly as legi-lation conflicting with the federal consd-
ution would b.. The requirements of the constita-
ton and of treaties are param unt 70 all other laws,
and par with each Other. The t,sol o2
a rrea y is of hardly les importance though it 10 q
question whether Q protoc u would exceed In az
IN 'rity state law. protocol is a written Agrse-
ment entered into by two nations which reaaoas
of licy do NOT wish to enter into formal treaty.
matte transac ions. The protocol first came inte
use IL the diploma ic negotiations at AK la Chapele
in 1918.
Oae who would make study Of diplomacy and Of
International law should, hNVin0 first made the
subject iamiliar through some elementary work,
read the proceedings and the treaties consequent
thereupon OF the congress of Yves phstlia in 164s,
the congress of Vienna in 1915. and that OF
Paris in 556. Herein are the basss of terna-
tionsl law. The congress of Vienna liked definitely
the respective grades Of diplOmAtes; Aking th 20
grades-that of ambassador, the higbest grade;
that minister plenipotentary, and that OF charge
de affairs. The congress AK la III pels srthors
lien another grade, namely, minister resident. An
tmba dor represents iha person IT the sovrre'gn.
He is Of no greater weight diplomaticall,, and q
eha ged with 10 more important responsibilities
than minister plenpotenIiary may be. His
superior mpor ace derives from court etiqustte,
This prac icsl advantage since court etiquette
though but form, is form which - the iOres Of
law. Etiquette gives the amb sssador prscs dencS
the person Of his -overegn, is treated p ecsey sa
The sovereign himself would be were he present.
minis er does NOT represent the person uf ha SOW
ereign, but being tted the sovereign OF the
couulry where he esides is OF equal dignity has
Lne same consideration in all matters where Ell.
quelte does not come in. An ambassador aud q
minister may always have audience with the sov.
ereisn; but Il the two happen to demand audience
At the same hour, the minister must dc - The
ambassador. and Withdraw. A minister sident or
charge is not entitled Co audience a. . msttsr Of
course. IL Mr.. Lowell, being minister pleniputoD-
liary, in consult ton With the Queen or Ths
pre- nier and the Turk~h ambassador were a. nouno-
ei, etiquette would require Mr.. Lowell to withdrsy
until the Turk should have had bis say ana this noe
b cause Turkey is cDnsi cred In England more i'm
20 tant power Than the United states, but bscauSe
the atu sador represen sovereign In person. So
in court professions, follow Immediate
ly behind princes of the royal family aud before the
Archbishop Of Canterbury but ministers so..s IN
later.
The United States gpvsrnm mt never sends On
ambassador to represent it. Its diplomatic servioS
comprises IA ministers and 10 ministers resldenl
the rest be ng charges. Tha amb ss .dors s,nI out
oy European veruments are comparatively few.
While there Is more court diguiIy and grandeur
a fhA ArNn At..k.4
him is vastly greater III IN that OF minister lsrs-
oteutiary, who, generally speaking can ssrvs
equally we'll all the purposes Of diplomatic inter-
course Tue lecturer declared diplomatic - srvics 70
be an indispensable part Of governms tai admins
tration. He awarded to the United States the
praise of having tho best consular service In the
world and sail that the records Of that service A.
Washington are exceedingly valuable md full Of in
formation. The diplomatic service proper OF this
country, he said, bss in the course Of 100 yosrs
contributed much OF significance and weight 70 the
literature Of international law.