The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1905-06-22
THE AMERICAN BRAND OF DIP
L0MACY.

The choice OF Washington as the
sceLe Of peace negotiations between
Japan and Russia indicates a change
il rhe axis Of The diplomatic world.
\ couple OF centuries ag0 il was the
fashion 10 20 to Holland 70 settle dis
pute>, aud down 10 THE asst few wears
Washington was considered quite
outside the pale Of diplomatic civil
cation. Then everything centered
round London. Paris, Berlin or The
Hague. but perhaps the diplomatic
chart of the Twentieth Century may
haye its longitude reckoued from The
meridian CT Washington.
We hear great deal these days
about American diplomacy" 1t is
advertised as the only genuine brand
and advice is freely given TO ask for
it and to take no substitute. Of
course, much Of that talk j, tommy
rot" Intended chiefly for the use Of
Buukum county. y evertheless,
there are certain qualities about
our diplomacy which make it very
efficacious. II j. built on business
principals. The American diplomatist
i generally hsrd-headed business
man who has been used TO dealing
practically with large and important
questions of commerce, law, politics
or what not. When he is confronted
with diplomatic problem he treats
it like any other matter of business
and goes at it in the most direct and
practical way that suggests itself.
He does not play the game according
to the rules laid down in the books.
He does not feel bound down by
precedent>, This is not because
he i ignorant of the protocol but
simply because he takes ii large, clear
view of the Situation and does not
bother about triies. The American
negOtiaCOr may sometimes DO things
which unnecessarily shock respecta-
bic gentlemen OF the tape and seal
in--waX Office but it j. the defect
which goes with his qualities. In
great diplomatic affairs his business
instincts generally inspire him 10 20
straight for his object and to get
there with both,teet-aud he succeeds
partly by the very audacity of his
action.
More over American diplomacy
usually goes right 10 headquarters.
and doesn't waste time ON underlings,
1t has happened more than once that
al American has some straight to
foreign sovereign and arranged affairs
with him ina satisfactory way while
foreign diplomats OF Importance and
ability have cooled their heels in the
ante-room OF a comparatively unim-
portaut Minister OF State, thereby
wasting their time and losing the
game through fear Of breaking some
minor law Of diplomatic tradition.
Such diplomats follow the carriage
roads while the American Is riding
straight across country almost upon
the heels OF the hounds.
This vigorous diplomacy comes
from the fact that we are still a young
and vigorous people. Unfortunately,
it will wear OF. After We have been
in the diplomatic world a while we
shall become more timid and more
conventional; our diplomatic manners
will become more blase. and will lose
their dash. But, for the present, we
are making the running. Wit h us.
in diplomacy as in everything else,
business is business, ''and in success
fully bringing about the peace con-
ference the President has shown the
proper American method of picking
up a red-hot proposition with a firm
grip.
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