Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-05-11
QUESTIONS ANSWERED.

To M Ei,tOr OF ne Rso'3tsr;
SrR:-What is the difference between
the duties and privileges Of a Consul Cen
eral and an Ambassador READER.
An ambassador is u minister Of the
highest rank which one country or ma
ton can send to the court or capital Of
another as its representative. As be-
tween an ambassador and minister
plenipotentiary, envoy extraordinary,
ETC., the former takes diplomatic prece-
dence in matters of. etiquette, etc. But
so far a.. their essential powers and
priyifeges are concerned, such as the in-
reference by the local authorities
either civil or criminal, there is no dis
tinction, as they must enjoy the same
exemptions in order that they may at
tend fearlessly to the interests Of the
country which they represent. We
find the following In Kents Common
tqries relating to the privileges of am-
0asSadors:
Ambassadors form an exception to the
general case Of foreigners resident IN the
country, and they are exempted absolutely
from all allegiance, and from all response
bility 70 the laws Of the country to which
they are deputed. AS they are rep
resentatiyes of their sovereigns, and
requisite for negotiations, and friend
IL intercourse, their persons, by the
consent Of all nations, have been
deemed iuviOlable. and the instances
are rare in which popular passions or per-
fidious policy, have violated this immunity.
= If, however, Ambassadors
should be so regardless Of their duty, and
of the object Of their privilege, as 10 in
suit, or openly attack the laws OF govern
ment of the nation to which they are sent,
their functions may be suspended by a re-
fusal 10 treat with them, or application can
be made 70 their own sovereign for their
recall, or they may DO dismissed, and re-
0uired 70 depart within q reasonable time.
A consul general is a consul Of the
first rank, and usually has jurisdiction
over several Consuls aud places. He is
generally stationed at the capital of
country, and while his business is
specifically to look after the commercial
interests and seamen of the country he
represents, he may, in the absence of a
higher representative, assume the du-
ties of minister, within the limits laid
down in his instructions. In such cases
his privileges would, very likely,
correspond to the dignity Of
the position he occupied. But
as a consul general simply, his privi-
leges are very limited, though varying
somewhat with the country to which he
is accredited. Usually they are defRed
in commercial treaties or by the laws Of
the country which they represent.
Kent says, in referring TO the prlvi-
leges of consuls: "If any consul be
guilty Of illegal or improper conduct,
be Is liable to have his ereQtatlrr, or writ
ten recognition Of his character, revoked,
and to be punished according to the
laws Of the country In which he is con-
sui; or be may be sent back to his own
country. al the discretion Of the govern
ment which he has offended"
Continuing he says that:
A consul is not such public minister as
10 be entitled 70 the privileges sppertain-
ing TO thai character, nor is he under the
especial protection of the law Of nations.
He is entitled 10 privileges TO 4 certain ex-
tent. SUCH as for safe conduct It
may be considered as . settled law that
consuls do not enjoy the protection Of the
law Of nation, any more than other persons
who enter the country under safe con-
duct. In civil ana criminal cases they are
equally subject to the laws Of the country
81, hinh rhar- -nciln