Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-05-20
GETTING INTO DIPLOMACY
The Position in Which This Government
Now Finds Itself.
Germany Has Taken the Initiative in
Introducing n Newspaper
Propaganda.

We are getting into diplomacy I'D to our
ears. But few years ago it was felt that
we had Sc little interest in diplomacy that
we were so isolated from the intrigues of
the rest of the world, that we had little or
no use for a representative abroad of as
high rank as amba dor. The subject was
discussed for several years before Congress
would consent to raise any of our legations
to embassies. Since then there has been
great advance. The American missions have
acquired importance in the eyes of powers
and are receiving great attention. The lit
tie refinements of diplomacy are now being
introduced, and it has come to be thought
worth while to devote some skill to the ad-
Justment of relations with this government.
A New Feature Introduced
a new feature is now being introduced in
the way of diplomatic agency. Germany
has taken the initiative, and it promises not
to be long before the journalist attache of
the embassy will he recognized as an es-
sential part of the organization, as are the
military and naval attaches. Germany is
just at present devoting more attention to
this government than to any other, unless
it is China. The object of her attentions
in the case of China is well unders TODD
What her object is in paying court to this
government is more in doubt. Diplomacy
is such a sly thing that it is hard to de
termine whether its smile is one of pleasure
or of pain; of friendship or of deception
Whether her designs are honorable inspired
by a sincere desire to win the confidence
and lasting friendship of the American
people, or whether they are in furtherance
of a temporiZing policy which looks forward
to an aggressive course, is the subject of
varied opinion, according to the point of
view. Germany has had some commercial
conflict with the United States, and her
friendship has within recent ,eventfui
months been somewhat under suspicion
Unusual efforts are being made to overcome
any suspicion that may remain. after the
many protestatons of sincerity that have
been made on every occasion of irritation.
A Newspaper Propaganda.
The latest move is the establishment of
a newspaper propaganda under the aus
pices of the embassy. A newspaper repre-
sentative has been sent over from Berlin
as a part of the diplomatic machinery for
the accomplishment of the object for
which the German government is now
working. He is not regularly accredited to
this government as a journalist attache of
the embassy. such an office not yet having
been recognized in the organization of en-
baSsies. He is none the less, however,
part of Germany's diplomatic establish
ment at Washington, performing distinct
and what is evidently regarded as an i'm
portant duty in behalf Of the embassy.
Surrounded by a semi-sfffciai atmosphere
and operating under the auspices of the
embassy with a definite object his efforts
are directed toward influencing public ex-
preston with respect to the relations be-
tween Germany and this government, and
to so affect public sentiment as to estab-
lish a more friendly feeling among the
American people generally toward the Ger
man government and to inspire confidence
in the good intentions of the German en-
peror. 1t may be that the design is also
to influence the policy of the United States
in the orient through the voice of the
German born citizens of this country
against imperialism" but this cannot be
asserted as a fact. The revealed efforts
have all been in the direction of promoting
confidence and friendly relations between
the people in this country and Germany,
and to influence the expressions in the
press to that end. In the German press of
this country there has recently been vigor-
oGS protest against the more or less pop
ular outcry against Germany excited by
the Samoan affair and incidents connected
with the Spanish war at Manila and else
where
Whether the ultimate designs be sincere
ly friendly or otherwise, novel and eXtraor-
dinary efforts are being made to over
come whatever hostile sentiment may exist
in this country toward Germany.