The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1908-05-03

the United states 10 Put On Airs 10
It's Diplomatic Service Reasons Why
Only the Rich Can Afford Diplomacy.
WASHINGTON, May Am interesting de-
bate was precipitated in the Senate to-day
by the proposal in the diplomatic and con-
sular appropriation bill to purchase house
and grounds for the American Embassy at
Paris at a cost Of 100000.
Senator Culberson inquired whether the
item signalized the beginning Of a new
policy on the part Of the United States
Government to own lis embassy buildings
abroad. Mr.. Hale, in charge OF the bill,
replied that II did. He declared that con-
ditions had reached a state where only a rich
man could afford to accept a diplomatic post
Does the Senator think a poor man could
! afford TO live in a 5000 house, inquired
I Mr.. Overmau Of North Carolina.
He could better afford to live in It II the
Government furnished it than he could pay
rent for it, replied Mr.. Hale.
Mr.. Overman suggested that the expense
Of maintaining such an establishment would
fall heavily upon a poor man. A poor man.
il seems to me-, would better not try TO put
on airs, suggested Mr.. Overman'
Mr.. Culberson expressed the opinion that
the matter ought to be discussed as an in
dependent measure IL il was to be the be-
ginning Of a new policy. is there any
special reason he asked. why we should
appropriate this vast sum OF money Tor
Paris at THIS timer
Mr.. Teller Of Colorado declared that the
United States Government had made some
progress since Benjamin franklin and
Thomas jefferson represented II at Paris.
i suppose, now that we are a world Power.
that We will have to put on some airs. |
believe we ought to be willing TO maintain
embassies abroad that will be creditable to
the dignity Of the United States. .
Senator Warren Of Wyoming explained
what he knew about the property in Paris.
He said the owners OF il were compelled TO
sell this year. The offer he considered
especially advantageous.
Does an American own ity'
mo. il is owned by a Frenchman,' re-
piled Mr.. Lodge. 1T is the property OF
heirs and must be sold to close an estate.
In view Of the improvements that have
been made upon it by American Ambassa
don those who control II agreed TO hold
the offer open until Congress acted
Mr.. 0verman inquired whether other
foreign Governments maintaining embas-
sizes in Paris owned their property.
Eyes, all Of them do" replied Mr.. Lodge.
@How does the cost OF them compare
with the property proposed TO be purchased
by the bill?' continued MIR, Overman.
much more expensive replied Mr..
| Lodge. THE British Embassy in Paris
cost ten times as much
is property in Paris higher than it is in
| the United Statesi" inquired Mr.. Overman
Mr.. Lodge declared that the Govern
ment Of the United States must decide
upon one Of three courses 10 meet the in
creased cost OF maintaining Ambassadors.
The salaries OF Ambassadors must be
raised; their rents furnished free, or only
very rich men appointed as Ambassadors.
He recited how Henry White had been COM
PEELED TO expend so. 1000 out Of his W
pocket for repairs on the apartments occu-
pied by him as Ambassador at Rome and
a few months later was transferred TO Paris
and the money he invested was lost.
At the end Of an hours debate the amend
ment went out Of the bill on a point OF order
raised by Senator Culberson. The diplo-
matte and consular bill was then passed.
The bill as passed was amended TO au-
thorize the Secretary Of State 10 employ
counsel and take other necessary steps TO
protect the navigation in the st. John River
For this purpose $751; 900 was appropriated,
The other Senate amendments reported by
committees and adopted were as follows:
For the International Institute OF Agri-
culture at Rome, $500; to close up the
work OF the Joint High Commission, $4,000;
TO purchase legation property in Toxic,
Japan, 2,267; for the exchange OF legation
property In Pekin and the bill r~eorganizing
the consular service,