Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1890-01-18
gh 1aiy eagle Saturday orung aannaru 49,

love with the polite life Of an ambassador
that am told be would prefer diplomatic
station abroad, even a humble one, to the
presidency of the United States. He dotes
upon pretty and well dressed women, upon
dinners and receptions. and never thinks of
letting the hour of 6 pass without DOMINIC a
dress coat.
Diplomatic experience makes good takers
of men. To this rule there are few excep-
lions Perhaps the best general taiker in
Washington is Robert B. Hitt, congress
man from Illinois, and chairman of the house
committee on foreign affairs. He would be
marked in any social gathering as brilliant
conversationalist. He not only talks enter
tainingly, but there is something substantial
in his mental repast. While ex-Minister Kas-
son runs too much to mere gossip, such as the
ladies might dote upon, Hit can give one
that till he is tired and then talk politics, po-
iticl economy, social science, literature,
with both wit and learning. There is such
thing as the diplomatic disease Kasson has
it.; Hit hasn't Kasson Is neatly 70 and
strives to appear about so. He is gallant
He is sample of the man of brains and
character and political ambition who is led
off into a sort of picnic life by the fascina-
lions Of diplomacy.
Curious to know what the duties of dip
Tomato are, and particularly if the able gen.
aernen who represent the United States in
foreign countries are az lazy and leisurely
and as much devoted to society as are the
members of the diplomatic corps in our cap
ital, pumped the question straight at Mr.
Hit, who, as secretary and for a long time
charge d'affaires at Paris, and now as chair
man of the committee on foreign affairs
might be expected to give an intelligent reply.
''If the truth must be told" said he, ''the
actual work of our average minister to for
eign court does not amount to more than
two hours a month That is not enough to
keep the blood stirring in ones veins, and, of
course, man has to take to something else.
Nine times out Of ten the something else is
society, though once in while it is art or
literature Society at first comes to the
diplomatic as relief, pleasure, and finally
as a necessity. 1t is like the drink of the
topper. He must have it or the world goes
wrong for him. He needs its gentle stimu-
liant constantly, and if he does not get it is
miserable 1t is in this manner that what
you term the diplomatic disease gets its first
hold upon the vitals of victim. have seen
scores of men who are fit for nothing else in
the world than dining and escorting ladies
to receptions, balls and operas. They have
no other ambition; they think there is moth
ing else worth living for. In European
courts there is a tradition, once diplomatic
always diplomatic and it is q tradition
founded on human nature and experience
The trade Of diplomacy is one In which other
nations give men continuous employment
That is better than our method of trying to
make diplomates out of lawyers and mer-
chants and manufacturers, and then putting
upon them the cruel necessity of metamor
phosing themselves back into lawyers, mer-
chants and manufacturers. Imagine a young
man taken from a counting room and
plunged into the midst of Paris or London
society for a few years, and then sent back
to the humdrum of the counting room. It
is not fair
1.-THE diplomatic almost inevitably becomes
lazy and luxurious in his method of life,"
added MIR. Hit. 1.-The most arduous task
which he has to perform in the line of official
duty is waiting. He is waiting for instruc-
tions from Washington, for documents which
seem an unfortunately long time In coming.
Or he is waiting in the ante-room Of the sec
rotary of foreign affairs. Imagine yourself
the representative Of the great American re-
public and cooling your heels ia the ante
room of foreign official for six hour.s as is
done very frequently by our ministers at
European courts The average American
mechanic OF farmer would not wait that long
to see the president of the United States, and
if he were compelled to wait so long be would
raise a fuss about it, and the press would
help him. The trouble with our diplomates
abroad is that foreign officials receive accord
ing to rank. We have no ambassadors, and
nearly all other countries have ambassadors,
who outrank the Americans.
"a great many countries are represented at
a chief capital like Paris, and the day is short
and time is fleeing. Say the American min
lister goes at 10 in the morning to see the
French minister of foreign affairs. The am
bassador from Greece is just ahead of him.
While he is waiting for the ambassador from
Greece to conclude his business inside the am
bassador from Chill arrives. The American
minister must wait till the ambassador from
Chill has had his audience. By this time the
of many countries are coming
in, and the American minister will be in great
luck if he get an audience at all Even the
of the little Republic of San
Marine, about as big as ward in the city of
Chicago, takes precedence over the American
minister.
More than once have Iseen Mr.. Washburne
waiting in the ante-room of the French min
ister of foreign affairs while the diplomatic
gentleman from that insignificant little coua-
try passed proudly in. More than once have
/ gone early III the morning to get audience
with the foreign secretary, and after remain
ing till late in the afternoon been compelled to
go home and come again another day in hopes
Of better luck Even the usher who does duty
in the ante-rooms of the European dignitary
appears to look down with contempt upon
the diplomatic representatives of the United
States. 1t is this persons function to aSsort
the visiting diplomates according to their
rank and admit them in that order. The con-
air with which he provides a seat |
and morning paper for the poor American,
whom he knows viii be with him most of the |
day, is really painful.
ION the whole" concluded Mr.. Hit, 'you |
will find our diplomates abroad living very
much the same sort of life which the diplo- !
matte corps lives in Washington. 1t is a |
eisurely lazy, politely gay existence. This
leisure brings culture, social grace, fine man. |
ners, delicate appetites, but not much en-
argy for the practical side of life"
1t is rather odd that so few marriages take |
place between members OF the diplomatic !
corps and American women. While it is not /
denied that the attaches of the European /
legations come here, many of them, with fell |
designs on American heiresses, very few run
away with prizes. 1t is said the number of |
contracts of that sort which |
have been made during the last half century |
could be counted on the fingers OF ones hand. /
Miss Matte Mitchell, daughter of the Ore