Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-05-18
The Diplomatic Sacrifice.

London dlspa tches state that Mr. Whitelaw
Reid. the recently appointed ambassador
to England. has leased Dorchester House.
In Park Lane. at an annual rental of Ao-
90. as his official residence during his SER
vice at that capital. Mr.. Reds salary as
ambassador will be $11.J00 a year. or S2I,-
500 less than his house rent In four years.
assuming that he serves that long. he will
pay out for rent alone the tidy sum of
$4,000 over his salary. His expenses of
maintenance will be probably double as
much again. If he entertains on an appro-
pirate and proportionate scale. Putting the
cost of maintenance at a moderate figure.
Mr.. Reid will in four years pay out prob
ably no less than 100000 beyond his pay. In
order properly to represent the United
States at the British capital.
Many Americans declare that this is as it
should be, that the posts of highest diplo-
matte Importance should be filed only by
men of great wealth. who therefore repre-
sent the American capacity for achieve
ment On the other hand. there are those
who contend that such elaborate establish
ments are unnecessary and unwise. that 1t
is more in keeping with the American ideal
for the diplomatic representatives to live
modestly within their official incomes while
abroad. But a growing number of people
firmly believe that neither of these positions
is well taken. but that the ambassadors
and ministers should be maintained by the
government in fitting style at it's own ex-
pense and that the residences. being Off
cial. should be permanent.
The United States stands today for COM
mon sense in diplomacy 1t will never be
justly accused of aping the methods of the
old world in the matter of the pomp and
circumstance of official dealings, and it's
representatives abroad will not abate a jot
in their effectiveness if they are given de-
cent surroundings and liberal allowances.
They are to some degree rated abroad by
the extent to which their government pro-
vides for them and an American minister
who, because of his slender personal purse
and his meager official pay is forced to
occupy third-rate house in back street,
is not as potent an influence for maintain
ing the prestige of his government as the
occupant of a substantial, dignified, we'll
located official residence.
1t IS far from being accepted by the pub
lie generally that the country'S real inter-
ests are best served abroad by very rich
men. AS circumstances now stand only
the wealthy aspirants for the diplomatic
honors can conscientiously accept such
posts. and it is infinitely to the credit of
the American people that the representation
abroad has been so uniformly of a high
character to ability. At the same time
appointments have at times gone begging
for season because of the disinclination
of the men chosen for the honor to leave
their business at heavy sacrifice in order
to pay heavily from their personal fortunes.
The country's service is more than honor
able to the man who performs it. 1t is
valuable to the country that commands it.
and it should be paid for at a proper rate
and surrounded by the signs of a national
appreciation of its worth. The country Is
rich enough to do its diplomatic work with
wise liberality. 1t should not permit its
ambassador at the Court of st. James to
spend on its behalf. large fortune of his
own In order that he may preserve the
prestige of the United States as a great
power.