The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-04-16
Insulting an Ambassador.

val, but the officials of our government
and Washington society generally have
been reluctant to believe that such emf
nent and broad-minded statesmen as Sir
Julian Pauncefote, Count Cassini. Dr.
Won Holleben. Jules Cambon, and Others
would deliberately humilIate a stranger.
and one so amiable and honorable as the
ambassador from Mexico They no long-
er conceal their intentions, and Count
Lichdervelde, the Belgian minister, WAC
telegraphed 10 Brussels for Instructions
as to the course he should pursue, has
been directed by his government 10 stand
by the representatives of European pow
ers and freeze the Mexican out.
When q new ambassador comes TO
Washington he is always welcomed in
formally by his future colleagues, and
they hasten 20 make his acquaintance be-
fore he is officially received by the presi-
dent. When he presents his credentials
etiquette requires him to call at once in
person upon all his colleagues. Then he
sets an early day to receive them at his
embassy or legation, and they always go
in full force. Mr.. Aspir6z has conformed
to all the peculiarities of the diplomatic
code of etiquette. but has met none OF
his fellow ambassadors in person. They
did not call upon him before his presen-
tation; when he called upon them tney
were not al home and none of them ap-
peared at his reception. This might have
been due to a series of accidents, but II
was not accident that every diplomatic
member of the diplomatic corps sent his
regrets to the reception which ex-Secre-
tary and Mrs. John W. Foster gave IN
honor of Mr.. and Mrs. Aspiroz last Wed
nesday evening, which was not only
slight TO the guests of that evening but
m me hosts 0f that evening also.
Thursday afternoon at a tea given by
the Countess Llchdervelde. wife of the
Belgian minister, the truth came out.
The Mexican ambassador ana Mrs.
Aspiroz were the only members Of the
diplomatic corps who were not present,
and their absence was due 10 a failure to
receive invitations. 1t was a deliberate
insult.
The pretext Of the boycott lies in the
historical fact that thirty years ago Mr..
Aspiroz happened to be the judge advo-
cate general OF the Mexican army who
was detailed by President Juarez to try
the pretender Macmillan, the Austrian
archduke who, under the protection OF
Louis Napoleon, of France, claimed the
throne in Mexico. Macmillan had five
distinguished lawyers to defend him. but
was convicted and shot at Queretaro.
The Austrian government has never re-
sumed diplomatic relations with Mexico.
The two embassies have had no communi-
cation since the death of Macmillan, for
Emperor francis Joseph cannot forgive or
forget the execution of his nephew. But
until now there has never been any lack
of cordiality between the Belgians and
the Mexicans, although Carlotta, the
widow of Macmillan, who is now in an
insane asylum near Brussels, is the sis
far 81 81 Ia1~r, TlfFN
why tn performance of a military duty
under orders from his government by Mr..
Aspiroz a third of a century ago should
make him an unfit associate of the Brit
ish, German, French, Russian and Ital-
ian ambassadors is difficult to under
stand. Great Britain and Germany re-
fused to sustain Macmillan and practi-
cally repudated the invasion of Mexico.
and It is not believed that either of these
governments will approve the action Of
their ambassadors.
However it is believed to be only pre-
text for a more serious reason. The great
European powers were not pleased when
the Mexican legation at Washington was
elevated to an embassy on an equality
with their own. They made no formal
protest, but there was good deal of dis
satisfaction expressed privately that the
representative of so small a nation as
Mexico should be accorded the same dip
lomatic distinction by our government
that their ambassadors received. The re-
spect felt for the late Minister Romero
was so great that the Europeans would
not object TO him, but when a man with
out diplomatic experience. like Mr.. As
piroz, came a boycott was decided upon.
The Mexican government will not over
look the slight upon its representative,
but the matter has not yet been brought
to its attention.
Another subject which has beeen revived
for discussion in connection with the AS
piroz appointment is as to the difference
between an ambassador and minister.
We have now six ambassadors of foreign
powers in Washington, and, Of course.
a corresponding number Of our own at
foreign courts. Great Britain, Germany,
France, Russia, and Italy preceded Mex
leo in raising their representatives TO
higher dignities. A good deal of COM
plant has been made as TO the un-Amer-
lean and undemocratic character Of the
ambassadors office. This is founded,
doubtless. upon the distinction once uni
versally recognized, by which an ambas
sador was regarded as the personal rep
resentative Of his sovereign, while the
minister
state whose commission he bore. Undemo-
cratic the Office may be, but hardly I'M
American, when we reflect that IL IS rec
ognized by name in the constitution Of
the United States. Indeed, some OF the
ablest writer's on diplomatic affairs In re-
cent years have taken the ground that
with the changes which have come over
all governments in the civilized world, IN
Guiding the reduction Of the individual
powers of the king. the old particular
function OF an ambassador has practi-
cally been abolished, and the distinct
ton beween ambassadors and ministers
has become question Of titles.
Although the law providing for the
change of rank Of some Of our represen-
tatives abroad is only six years Old, We
had an ambassador at one court nearly
a half-century ago. This was Commodore
Perry. who appears in a formal diplomatic
instrument as a special ambassador" 20
Japan in the early hfties. What the fra
mers OF the constitution possibly had in
mind in including ambassadors among the
other officers Of the foreign service spc-
cifcaliy mentioned, was a fuuctionsry
sent abroad On a special erTand rather
than one designated 70 live in 4 foreign
country; IT other words. L Is very likely
that the term ambassador was used as
we might now use the term envoy. They
used TO tell story Of President Lincoln.
that the Austin minister once called OF
him 70 say that his emperor had been
graciously pleased % increase the dignity
Of his legation 70 an embassy. and the
president is quoted as responding some
what in this wise: 7 am glad on your
account, = Z gives you any additional
benefit. but as far as we &c here. f vii
make TO dlHerence-y0u VIII always be
welcome. regardless Of your tile"
Al foreign courts much more attention
Is paid 10 petty questions of precedence
than in Washington. and one az ths G-st
causes Of the agitation II the question