The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1908-05-06
7ERZM EzRA0SY

1t is a terrible thing to be poor
diploma. Lavish use Of American dol
lars must be made in order to pave
smooth and easy highway over
which a representative Of the United
States in a European capital may com
fortably and gracefully travel
The question has often been asked
as to whether poor man can repre-
sent the United States in a diplomatic
capacity in Europe. and as often It
has been answered positively in the
negative The uniformed American
may ask in wonder why this is 50.
The salary Of an American ambassa-
dor, whether stationed In London or
\ Tokyo, St. Petersburg or Rio de Ja-
neiro, is s17,5O0 per annum In addi-
tlon he Is allowed something for rent
OF an office, for fuel and light, for fur
niture. for postage, stationery. tele-
graph service, and for the great vari-
ETY. Of small expenses which large
business creates. His total income
from the government is not more than
$4,000 even in the most favored CAPT
tai This is a large sum. It represents
an income that any American. except
the very rich would be glad to enjoy
With $4,000 a man could have his
house, his automobile. his amuse-
ments, indeed crafty almost every
wish
But this is true Of an Individual An
ambassador Of the United States, in
order to maintain the dignity of the
great republic he represents. is In
quite a different situation He must
have not merely a house for his fam
ily. but an establishment for the re.
ception and entertainment OF the Off
cials and statesmen Of the country to
which he Is accredited and OF his am.
bessadoriaI colleagues. He must give
entertainments and dinners comparing
favorably with those offered by the
representatives Of other governments.
He cannot withhold these courtesles
They constitute his duty to the same,
If not greater, extent than his trans.
action Of the official business connect.
ed with his embassy. The former IA.
cilitates the latter, frequently makes
it possible.
Now consider the expense which
this policy entails. In the first place,
every ambassador must provide and
furnish his own embassy. Unlike
other great nations, the United States,
save in Tokyo. Peking. Bangkok. Con
stantinople and Morocco. makes no ar.
rangements for the housing Of It's rep
, resentatiyes. Every agent, before or
after his appointment, IS compelled to
proceed to his post. hunt up real es.
tate agents. examine houses which are
available, and finally select the most
imposing within his means II he
have millions at his disposal he may,
as Ambassador Whitelaw Reid has
done, take a palace like Dorchester
House, IN London, paying therefor
$4,000 annually, and a country place
costing $4,000 annually. In Paris his
embassy win cost anywhere from
$4,000 to $4,000. In Berlin Ambassa-
dor Charlemagne Tower gives $4,000
annually for the beautiful building he
occupies. In st. Petersburg he may
. have TO pay $4,000 In Rome his rent
bill may mount as high as he pieases.
but # cannot fall much below $1,000.
The conditions IN Vienna are similar
!. to those in Rome.
SO before an ambassador can as.
S sumo his Office he must ooligate him.
4 self to pay a foreigner not less than
9 half Of and frequently more than bis
! salary in order to be allowed TO occu-
I py a building for the use Of the Amefi-
: can people. Upon arrival officially at
8 bis post and after he has presented
his credentials to the head OF the gov.
/ ernment be must give a reception 70
I the diplomatic corps This Is 10 ena-
! Bile him Officially to meet hts col
leagues, q very important ceremony,
] Tor frequently he IS compelled TO con.
/ duct negotiations with them. and they
!. are always useful In supplying him
! with needed information. 4 coHserya.
!. tive estimate Of the cost Of such a re-
/ ception IN a place Ike London or Paris
or Berlin Is $500 Then It is his duty
to give a dinner TO each Of his ambas
sadorial colleagues. In some places he
must SO honor the ministers plenipo
tentiary. who are one rang lover than
the ambassadors. and who represent
i second-class powers. The guests upon
these occaslons must be men and
women Of high social and oficial posi-
tlon, who are accustomed to the cholc
est viands and wines and other COSTS
luxurieB.
There are also his own living OK
penses to be considered--the malnte
nance Of his household, the care d
horses and carriages, etc. and in non,
OF these can he display the quality o
"nearness." The baker the tailor