The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-04-05
This CdDftdI, once Scarcely
Considered by the Poll
tiCidnS Of Europe, Now
fightinQ Ground for The
Brain Battles OF SfdtcCrQft.

w the nation. seems always to
the casual observer to be
serenely happy and eontented, rejecting
the security and peace of a prosperous
country. But within the shadow OF its
Capitol and great public buildings are
struggles and heartburnings which
seldom come 10 light-those of the great
diplomats of all countries who come
here to make their final, lasting reputa-
lions as the ambassador of powerful
foreign prince or potentate who rules
over millions OF people somewhere
across seas. Living IN a strange land,
speaking a strange 1anguage-except in
The case OF the British ambassador-this
diplomats chief, having his country's
welfare at stake. often has many heart
burnings al failures which may come in
the struggles OF diplomacy. In success
he has all men to congratulate him. but
in failure he considers himself fortunate
If his shortcomings. or i'll luck, be kept
within the walls Of his own embassy.
Ambassadors Number Seven.
The Diplomatic Corps contains at
present seven members of the grade Of
ambassador-tha is, including Baron
Speck on Sternburg Although the latter
is nomina1ly only minister plenipoten-
tfary and envoy extraordinary on special
mission" it Is a well-known fact that
this title was given him by his govern
ment for the purpose Of permitting Herr
Won HoIleben 10 step out OF diplomatic
life here with a greater measure of dig
nifty than If he had been summarily dis
placed by a younger man. AS there Is no
German ambassador actually present
here, the duties of Baron Won Sternburg
are, therefore, of that grade, even though
for the time being he lacks the title.
The governments maintaining embas-
sizes here, TO which in turn the United
States sends representatives Of equal
rank. are Germany. Russia, italy. Next
co, Great Britain, Austria Hungary and
France. Ambassadors are assured of pre-
cedence over the ministers pleniBoten
fiary and ENJOYS extraordinary. Accord
ing TO the official code now generally ac-
cepted, they rank Immediately after the
Vice President when such an official ex-
lists. and before the members OF the
Cabinet
Pauncefote First TO Be Elevated.
The first foreign diplomat TO be given
the rank Of ambassador. for service at
this. capital was the tate Lord Paunce-
fote He was the first ambassador to
present his credentials to this Govern
nneut and until his death remained the
dean Of the. Diplomatic Corps. By right
of seniority the succession passed, when
the British diplomat died, last spring,
10 Dr. Won Hel1eben. The latter is now
officially termed ''on leave of absence -
so the German embassy remains at the
head of the list. When his recall is
officially announced. however. the Rus
sian ambassador will become IN reality.
as he is already practically. the dean.
The value which IS placed upon the
friendship Of the United States has been
strongly evidenced since the Spanish
war. Prior to that time foreign nations
where not willing to acknowledge this
country as q world power. Now. none
will deny It. IN consequence, Wash
ington has become in the past five years
a center for diplomatic negotiations and
intrigue which, despite constant dis,
avowa1s, is feature of the new as well
as OF the old diplomacy.
Counting Uncle Sans Friendship
The anxiety of England and Germany
TO acquire the friendship Of Uncle Sam
has been a matter Of frequent comment,
and as step toward this end King
Edward appointed the present British
ambassador, showing by this selection