Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-02-20
DIPLOMATS OF OTHER LANDS,
THEY HAVE SPECIAL TRAINING IN
METHODS OF GUILE.
Society spoils Them-Not Always the
Best Representatives of Their
Countries Come to WASH
ingtOn.

Best Representatives OF Their
Countries Come to Wash
inEton.
Robert j. Wynne. in the New York
Press, says:
Public interest at this time is attracted
to the diplomatic colony in Washington,
and people are discussing the personnel of
tho embassies and legations. In the
club and drawing rooms Of the capital. as
well as the places where officials gather.
the diplomatic corps forms the principal
theme of conversation and comment.
Dupuy DeLome's future is a subject Of
speculation by this time. interest having
abated in HI cause Of his retirement
from this field of action and the incidents
for a period. resuming his connection with
the diplomatic service OF his country In q
higher position later. or may Withdraw
altogether from this branch of the govern
ment service and enter cortes.
No Special Training.
The custom Of foreign countries in deal
ing with men who represent them abroad
is different from that which prevails in
the United States. Here. with the Access
sion of each new administration, we take
a man from private or business life. in the
" 49,
with diplomacy as the word Is construed
across seas, and place him in the capitals
of Europe as the representative OF TINS
government. 1t is an American custom
and essentially representative OF American
ideas. We proceed upon the theory that
common sense and good Judgment, Tear
acter and the ability of a man well-round-
ed in affairs of life. form all the necessary
qualifications to represent Uncle Sam IN
his plain. matter-Of-fact dealings with the
rest of the world
The United States has no policy of in
triSue, of territorial acquisition. or OF
aggression to REQUIRE the services OF men
macy" SO often a synonym for lying ana
dishonesty. Thus We hold that a good
American citizen. worthy of receiving do
men, Is Capable of representing them
abroad. We believe also that all of the
men of this description are not found in one
change of administration can relegate an
ambassador or minister to private life
and install a private citizen Of another
political party in his place without i'm
periling the welfare of the republic.
The Method in Europe.
In the principal nations of Europe the
plan of procedure Is different. They take
the younger scions Of noble, influential or
wealthy families and begin to train them
at an early age in 4 career of diplomacy"
The understanding Is that they shall re-
main in the service for life. during good
behavior, and rise in rank according to
tics enter into the Gesirability of the as
sigEments they receive. and changes in
ministry are sometimes followed by
changes in the location OF the diplomats.
but not in their departure from the serv-
ice. as in our country. England has the
most stable diplomatic service in the world.
men of signal ability. who often retain
then, for years without disturbance. The
most uncertain positions are those flled
by the representatives of Oriental and
South American governments and the little
revolutionary relationships of Central
America.
For many years. up to a recent date.
Washington was considered an inferior
diplomatic post. 1t did not rank in i'm
p%ortance with St. Petersburg. Berlin. Lon
don. Paris or Vienna. Since some of our
the rank of ambassadors the foreign lega-
tons in Washington have become embas-
sizes and the American capital has risen in
the stipRaatio Of the diplomats Of the
change of our legations to embassies was
opposed in congress upon the grounds that
a sturdy spirit Of Americanism should be
above quibbling about a technicality Of
that character. The wisdom of the change,
however, was at last impressed upon the
country congressman. who yielded reluct-
tant assent, and it was made.
A Wide Difference.
Under diplomatic usage there is a wide
difference in the privileges of ambassadors
and ministers. Sir Julian Pauncefote, as
the British ambassador, represents the
person of the sovereign. He can call upon
the president of the United States at any
time, without the INTERPRETATION of the
secretary of state. and can discuss affairs
in person with the executive. Technically,
it il; Queen Victoria talking to the presi,
dent, and therefore conference with one
of less rank than the highest authority in
this country would be derogatory. to the
eign government can only approach the
president through the secretary of state.
An appointment can be made with the ex-
reservations must be addressed to the
secretary of state. and the answer is sent
to the minister through the same channel.
The president OF the United States di-
reefs me to say" is the usual form of
communication to a diplomat below the
rank of ambassador.
THUS it was that Senior Dupuy DeLome
did not come into personal relations with
the president. but was called upon to an
swer to Secretary Sherman. although As
sistant Secretary Day was the actual in
termediary. The advantage of a personal
interview between the president and in am
bassador in cases of misunderstanding and
consequent friction is apparent. and in
instances of crises, where time was an ele-
interview between the president and an lam
bassador to walk into the White House,
SEM his card to the president and see him
ilHiStiateiy LlSHI sway lUS UeStlulGS OF
two nations.
Spoiled by Society.
The members of the diplomatic corps arc
assiduously courted in the official society
Of the capital. They are invited to all IF the
clubs. and invitations to dinners, teas and
balls are showered upon them. They are
not sought SO freely in the more exclusive
circles of the old families of the city. The
official society is made up largely of tram
sien; residents here, natives of the interior
cities who find an attractive glamour in
the presence of the foreigners, whom they
regard as representatives of court circles
of Europe. The natural result of the adula-
ton bestowed upon the foreigners is a.
feeling of contempt upon their part for the
social complaisanCe of the Americans.
Dupuy DeLome has never yelled this
feeling, and there is nc doubt. it is shared
by the majority of his colleagues Of the
corps. II is an easy step from contempt
for our social customs to scorn for our
government and nation, and the private
correspondence of the diplomatic corps
doubtIessly would show more scathing
commentaries and criticisms upon public
men and affairs than Dupuy DeLome's
reference to President Mckinley.
100000 GONE IN A FLASH.
A klondike Telegraph Line Which