The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-06-27
Frederic Emory, formerly Chief of the
Weather Bureau of Foreign Commerce.
i'll Washington Post.


Weather Bureau of Foreign Commerce.
i'll Washington Post
XNUR new ambassador to Great
WI Britain, Mr.. Whitelaw Reid, just
before his departure for his post
made some interesting comments on the
unnecessary effusiveness of a few of our
diplomatic representatives and intimated
pretty strongly that the ready speech
maker, anxious to commend himself to
the nation to which he is accredited. is
neither the most useful agent for the
transaction of official business, nor the
most efficient upholder of his coun-
try's dignity. There is indeed grave dan
ger that man who thus creates for him
self an atmosphere of unfailing urbanlty
and becomes an object of popular ap-
plause in a foreign country nay insen-
sibly lose a great deal of his American
ism, and in seeking always to please,
may find himself embarrassed when 1t
becomes his duty to urge some serious
issue which may not be agreeable to his
hosts. 1t is, of course. the primary duty
of diplomats to cultivate friendly rela-
tons with the governments to which they
are sent but this object is not the end
but Tic means.
Tic foster kindly feeling for a country
is to lub~lcate the wheels of intercourse,
and to make easier the settlement OF
questions which might, in the absence Of
such favorable attitude, become more or
less infiammable. But an ambassador can
do this without figuring as a star"
speaker at lord mayors dinners and .
multitude of other functions, or, indeed,
ever making public address of any kind.
A notable instance is that of the late
Lord Pauncefote. generally admitted to
have been one of the most acceptable
and most efficient representatives Great
Britain ever had in Washington. During
his long term of service he was fire.
quently called upon to deal with exceed
ingly delicate situations in the relations
of the two countries, which, more than
once, were greatly critical, yet he never
found it necessary to fortify his position
by 'jollying" the American public with
laudatory speeches.
There is another diplomatic vice much
more serious than a fulsome garrulity to
which Ambassador Reid might have al
luded, and that is social servilty. 1t
seems strange that any American going
abroad in an official capacity should fail
to realize that his mission is, of itself,
sufficiently honorable and dignifed TO
give him all the consequence he could
properly desire
But why is it that these posts are so
eagerly sought by wealthy men, with no
qualification the public has ever been
able to discover except their money?
Why is it that gilded youths the sons Of
millionaires, or of influential and usually
wealthy politicians. practically monopo-
lie the secretaryships of embassy or le
cation at the gayer European capitals?
Is it not reasonable to infer that the
chief motive is the craving for social
conspicuity and display?
II these gentlemen went abroad In
private capacity, they would drift about
almost unnotced in Paris, London, Ber-
lin st. Petersburg, Vienna. Except In
very rare cases, they would obtain. at
best, but fugitive slimpses of the fash
ionable world, If they ever succeeded in
even passing its portals But sent abroad
in diplomatic capacity they are re-
ceived at courts, are given the entree
everywhere in the highest, If not the best.
society, and generally have the time of
their lives.