The times., 1899-02-08
ON AMERICAN DIPLOMACY.
The Hon. Simon VOLTS Entertaining
and Patriotic Lecture.

A lecture on American diplomacy was
| delivered by the Hon. Simon Wolf last
| night at St. Pauls English Lutheran
Church, Eleventh and II Streets north
| west.
He spoke on diplomacy in general and
American diplomacy in particular. The
speaker said that there are great many
! Americans who believe that in the his
tory of our country there has been very
| little diplomacy, but that he was happy
to state that we have history brim full
| of diplomatic achievements. He added
that it is true they were won on lines
| somewhat different from those traditional
| of European countries. but they are, never
| theless, distinct achievements, which the
world has been compelled to recognize.
The speaker referred to the work of
Benjamin Franklin in Paris, John Adams
in London, and John Jay in Madrid, and
said that they are the best examples of
early American diplomacy. Continuing
Mr.. Wolf said that there have been other
men since that time who have achieved
| fame in their representation of the United
States in foreign countries. and that this
is more remarkable since America has
not, like Europe. corps of trained diplo-
mats. They are taken from all the ranks
of society, and are expected to compete
men of the world.
The speaker said that he is proud that
this Government is so well represented
| abroad, but that there is room for vast
Improvement, and that Congress should
take some definite action in the matter
1t is his opinion that. This country has
now assumed world wide functions. it is n
sacred duty to have representatives abroad
who can cope with their colleagues, espe-
no nf al IN oil lnpt tDl
life.
The speaker further said that diplomacy
has had a notable evolution in the last
fifty years Machiavelli and Talleyrand
have been overthrown and the brusque
declarations of Bismarck and Disraeli have
come to the forefront.
The speaker then gave an Interesting
sketch of the most important events in
American history and showed the part
diplomacy had played in the result. lie
| referred 10 the struggle of this country
with the Barbary States from 1855 to 1916
and said that the successful termination
of the trouble was brought about by the
diplomacy of James Madison. then Presi-
dent. The speaker said that the right of
search on the part of foreign nations was
stopped by American diplomats after
| long struggle The acquisition of Louis
lana, Florida, and Alaska was another dip
lomatic victory. The speaker further said
that the enforcement of the Monroe doc
trine was the most brilliant work ever
accomplished by statesmen. and that the
recent Peace Treaty made in Paris certain
ly evidences rare intelligence on the part
of American diplomatic representatives.
In speaking of the diplomacy of England
he said that her answer to every demand
is 'Ultimatum, "Ultimatum, and what
can be done with nation that has but one
answer? What this country needs. said he.
is to give its representatives abroad the
power to enforce their demands. He also
advocated better salaries for America S
foreign representatives, so that they can
live in a suitable style.
The speaker said in conclusion that each
representative TO a foreign court should
speak the language of the country TO which
he is assigned. as it would add greatly to
,hs usefulness.