The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1895-01-25

NnRF" dIE o. ton of the ambassa-
doris is such as to warrant immediate
action by Congress. Should no action be
taken by that body it is almost certain
that Clifton r. Breckenridge, our ambas-
sadOr To Russia, and Theodore Runyon,
who holds the same post in Germany,
will resign. There has been circulated u
statement to the effect that Mr. Breckin-
ridge has already announced his inten-
ton Of abandoning his post. That state
ment, however, is premature.
The whole trouble is the result of the
long standing salary grievance. AS every
body knows, our ambassadors receive a
very inadequate stipend. Their salary
Is $t7,50O n year each, but $4,000 is
pronounced barely sufficient to maintain
the dignity of the position. Mr.. Runyon
In Germany and Mr.. Eustis in France
have, even with the exercise of the closest
economy, spent twice their respective
salaries and more in expenses connected
with the posts they fill. These details
will surprise no one. But it will be news
10 announce that the ambassadors have
held two conferences abroad, one in Lon
don and another in Paris, for the pur-
pose of making unanimous representa-
usefulness is almost nominal. On his
way to st. Petersburg Mr.. Breckenridge
saw both Mr.. Runyon and Mr.. Eustis.
Mr.. Breckenridge had heard that his ex-
penses in Europe would be very heavy
far more than his salary. As he is man
of very moderate means he felt the ne
cessity of getting their advice. He ex-
pressed his feelings with candor when he
I'M 70 Of hn hur Int OF
to which his Acknowledgements were re-
duced. Then il was that a premature
rumOr of the resignation of the ambas-
sador TO Russia was circulated.
A Plea for the Strikers.
Meanwhile however, Thomas Il. Bay
ard. ambassa6oTto the court of st. James,
had been in ttss United States, and one of
the express objects of his visits here was
to impress upon the State Department
the manner in which our national dig
nifty 10 being compromised abroad. Mr..
Bayard had three conferences with the
Secretary of State on the subject of am
bassadorial salaries. Mr. Gresham, dur
ing these interviews, had opportunity to
read letters from Wayne MacVeagh, Mr..
Eustis and Mr.. Runyon, all setting forth
the fact that their positions were little
short of ridiculous. Their own wish had
been to resign, but as the demission, to
use diplomatic term, of all our ambassa-
doris mt once might create an unpleasant
impression, it was deemed best that the
retirement should take place ut intervals
Of few months.
As an illustration of the position in
which our ambassadors are placed, the
following itemzed statement of Mr.. Eus-
it's expenses is interesting:
House rent in Paris, per year. :. $50 900
Ambassadors coach and livery. 5000
Diplomatic dinners and entertain
ments 5000
One ball per annum. ............ 1000
Entertaining American naval Off
GERS Observation-Disclosures. 1000
Attending state department func-
tons Observation-Disclosures. 1000
Official presentations. .......... 1000
lOtul % ,OUU
In reality, however, Mr.. Eustis has
spent good deal more than $4,000 a
year since he went to Paris. He is out
of pocket about $4,000 as a result Of be-
ing American ambassador to France. 1t
might be observed that Mr.. Eusts has
chosen a rather expensive house. But
were he to go out of the expensive quar-
ter of Paris his usefulness as diplomat
would be gone. And house rent in fash
ionble Paris is high. The ambassadorial
coach is also a necessity, and the enter
tanning must be kept up or the diplomat
will lose caste. Were Mr.. Eustis, for ex-
ample, to decline an invitation to state
function or n minister's entertainment il
would be deemed n grave breach of ETH
quette. Were the offense repeated the
minister would find himself without infu.
ence. and might even be reported to
Washington as persona non grata. Hav-
ing once accepted the courtesies, he Is
bound TO reciprocate them.
Must Go the Royal Pace.
In the holiday and vacation season his
post Is even more trying. He must 90
where the powers go. He is obliged TO
lease r. chateau, or, Mt the humblest a
villa. There are always American in
terests needing the support of an ambas-
sador at foreign power. Were the So
.cial side of diplomatic life neglected.,
American interests would be deprived of
all protection. A conspicuous instance of
this is the manner in which American
beef and hams were allowed entry into
agitation, solely owing TO the personal
influence of our minister to Berlin.
The other ambassadors are in an equal
ly sorry plight. Mr.. Bayard is out, so far,
about $4,000 on his mission. Mr.. Mac
Veagh spent $4,000 in Rome during the
first three months of his stay The money
question has reached n crisis owing to the
recent elevation Of our ministers to the
capitals of Great Britain, France, Ger
many, Italy and Russia TO the rank of
ambassadors. When we had ministers
only the situation was bad enough, but
now II has become we'll nigh intolerable.
At the same time our ambassadors have
urged their claims with great moderation.
IL Is well known to them all that the ad-
nainistration concurs fully in their view
of the matter, but Secretary Gresham
made q personal plea to Mr.. Bayard to
use his influence with his colleagues in
Europe to remain patient until the time