New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-04-11

commerce Of tho world the great West River
OF emma, feat which his predecessors In
ofnce had sought In vain to accomplish for
more tnan forty years. Finally. there is the
case ot SIT Julian Pauncefote, who 10 reooa-
nized as the most successful and satisfactory
Ambassador who has ever represented Great
brl'an IN Washington. Yet Sir Julian is a law
yer by profession, and before his nomination to
the American mission had never held a diplo-
matte appointment
These Instances will suffice TO show that even
although the great Powers Of Europe have most
deliberately organized diplomatic services. they
generally go outside Of them In their selection
or men best qualified In their opinion to fill the
most Important and difficult diplomatic posts,
being OF the opinion that greater results are
likely TO be achieved by ENJOYS who are capable
or taking broad. liberal. common sense view Of
matters than by professional diplomats whose
minds have been narrowed and prejudced by
their training, and who are in consequence In
clined to accord undue attention to detail. to
precedent and TO etiquette. often to the detri-
ment OF the interests that are intrused TO their
care and control
sOLECISMs OF DIPLOMATS.
Naturally. Ambassadors and ENJOYS who have
not served then apprenticeship in the minor
grades OF the line. and who have often no
previous knowledge OF the capital in which they
are appointed 10 reside acquaintance with
the people among whom they called upon
TO live are occasionally guilty Of infractons of
local conventonalities and usages OF which
much is made by those minor lights of the off,
cial world abroad who look upon the Protocol
as a sort OF all-restraining. a-supreme Provi-
dence and any disobedienoe to It's laws as akin
TO sacrilege. These are errors 10 which even
the most brilliant. highbred and polished men Of
the world are liable, and they are by means
confined TO United States Ministers in Europe
as one might be tempted TO believe from the
stories current about the matter in the
American press. Thus, when General Fleury,
the Fidus Achates OF Napoleon ILL., after sew
eral years spent at Paris as Chief Of the I'm
perial Household. was nominated to the post Of
Ambassador at ST. Petersburg. at the close Of
the first State banquet he attended, he Mortified
Of the principal dignitares of the Muscovte
court by using his fingers instead OF the tongs
for the purpose Of transferring the sugar from
the silver gilt bowl to his coffee cup. With the
object of teaching the gallant General a lesson,
the dignitary in question. TO whom the sugar
bowl was handed next. took It from the hands
OF the servant. walked 10 the window which WAS
open, and pitched it into the courtyard com
manding the servant to bring another. The
General observed this, as IL was intended that
he should. He said nothing but as soon
ever he had drunk his coffee he approached the
window in his turn. and pitched the dainty
Sevres cup and saucer. well as the gold
spoon, down into the square below
What earth is Your EXcellency DOING?
inquired the Russian digntary In utter amaze
ment.
Why" replied the General, Il thought tina;
was the court etiquette here, | you
short time ago pitching the sugar bowl out or
the window"
AT this moment the Car appeared upon tne
scene, and having heard the closing words or
the Generals reply asked smingy what had
taken place. His smile changed IL hearty
laugh when he was made acquainted with the
manner in which General Fleury had responded
10 the impertinence OF the old court official. and
from that time forth no further attempt was
made to teach any lesson I'm good manners to the
French Ambassador. The example set by Cen
eral Fleury may be followed by any man in the
So me position and similarly devoid of diplomatic
training. Provided an envoy has certain
amount Of wit and cleverness. he can always
turn the laugh upon those who endeaVor To
make capital of any solecism OF which he may
have been guilty through ignorance OF local
usage. Each Of the persOnages here mentioned
as having been selected for the post OF Ambas-
sador without previous diplomatic training has
been made the hero Of stories similar to the one
related about General Fleury. But as may he
seen from the results which they have achieved
and from the fame which they have won these
little mistakes in no wise impair the success or
their mission, their popularity or their impor-
lance People with common-sense can aHord 10
overlook the neglect 10 the sugar tongs on
the part Of a who has distinguished himself
with sword in hand. and who is successfully Ia
boring to promote a friendly understanding be-
tween two great nations.
There may. OF course, be some advantage In
bringing the minor grades OF the diplomatic
service such as the secretaryships or Embassy
and Of Legation under the Civil Service rule and
tra nsforning them into A permanent corps OF SER
wants Of the United States Government. In that
way they might be able to supply to the head
OF the mission the knowledge Of professional rou-
tine and OF local usage in which he is usually
lacking. But IL should be thoroughly under
stood that they could at no time aspire to the
rank Of a fuhedged envoy, since. as a result Of
their training and of their absence from thi"
country they are lacking in precisely those
American characteristics which contribute most
powerfully to the success abroad OF United
States Ambassador. EX-ATTACHE.