The Washington herald., 1909-08-01
THE DIPLOMATIC SERVICE
Kinds of Men Who Are of the Greatest Value to Their
Respective Countries.

class OF America durirg youth fits them
much better for thos court circles IN
which an envoy has } live and take ac-
tion than does the ystem upon which
plain folks are broue IT up. An ambas-
sador belonging TO the most insignificant
OF reigning houses VIII be regarded even
by the Russian Car as 70 some extent
his equal. viii associate with him more
intimately, and experience greater faeil-
fly in gaining him over TO the views he
(the ambassador Is instructed 10 advo-
cate than a less august parsonage could
possibly do. The same argument holds
good with American diplomatic repre-
sentatives abroad who can show the besJ
FAMILY connections In this country ana
are regarded IN this country as members
OF Americas "aristocracy."
on the whole, the persons least suitable
Tor employment IN the diplomatic service
are scientific men. whose participation IN
practical politics. indeed. is in every way
undesirable, inasmuch as they are al
most invariably doctrinaires and conse-
quentiy liable to fall into gross errors
leading 70 serious MISUNDERSTANDING
There are numerous instances on record
bearing out this contention
Furthermore, an envoy must keep his
private affairs in good order. make 20
debts. be dependent upon no requirements
compelling him 20 say 20 himself "As
can't subtract FIVE from four, must
carry one over" and experience no IncH-
nation 70 speculate on change. or in
land. grain. cotton. &C. because IN any
of those cases he would run the risk OF
being compelled 20 "oblige= unscrupulous
hnanciers at the expense OF his country's
interests and honor. The wife OF diplo-
mat. so far as her qualifications are con-
cerned 70 hll the important post, is also
carefully scrutinized by the chief 9f the
foreign Office, as much OF the success OF
an envoy depends upon a clever wife
II is also desirable that the envoy
speak the language Of the land 20 which
he is accredited. A knowledge OF the
French language IS also almost abso-
lutely necessary. The French language
is employed in verbal as well as episto-
larry intercourse with the majority OF for
eign countries as far as official communi-
cations are concerned. and is also the
one indispensable vehicle OF Tart de
causer.' 4 e., the art Of talking agree
ably without saying anything IN par
ticular
Employed as a galopin IN the foreign
Office or attached 10 some legation
abroad. the apprentice 10 the diplomatic
craft soon becomes acquainted with the
two lines Of buEiness-persOnal and IrO-
eSA'7Dal, the drawing-rOOm and the
ofhce-in which ne has 70 employ and
improve himself. Every old diplomat.st
was once a young one and remembers
which be liked the better when he CON-
menced his career-the examination hs
had left behind him or the world that
was all before him. At that time OF life
II Is necessary-and gladly recognized 10
be SOTO bestOw all possible care and al
tention upon producing favorable impress
sicns with regard 10 mere externaIs. A
young diplOmatist is asked 10 court. rre-
quent illustrious and wealthy families.
especially those OF financial maCnates
who bask IN the rays emanatlng from ne
peerage; dimes. sups, dances, PLAYS at
cards. haunts the jockey club and other
institutions OF that class All this he
does not merely for his own pleasure.
but, Indeed, chiefly in fulfIlment OF HIS
duty. for every item OF it IS "de Ia plus
stricte necessite" He must look about
him. make himself favorabIy known 10
the elite OF society. study the personnea
and state affairs at court. and above all.
make sure Of not being kept IN the back
ground, but rather OF being priced. sought
after, and distinguished. This Is tho
novice's first task. The natural conse-
quence OF This course OF procedure IS that
the majority Of young men adopting the
career OF diplomacy devote their attention
10 the attractive side OF their profession
IN preference 10 the other. and that The
View and method OF life thereby impart-
ed to them reacts upon their Judgment
and actions when they are called upon TO
transact real business They accuston
themselves in social intercourse 10 make
use OF empty and purely conventional
Phrases. they learn 10 take delight in
witty but frivolous prattle, in tittle-tattle,
highly spiced anecdotes. humorous SLAM
der, and backbiting. IN making them
selves extremely agreeable 70 their pres
ent enemies while making ill-natured re-
marks about their absent friends: IN
weaving tntrigues, pumping and cross
Questioning their acquaintance about the
Tnerest trides. and only speaking the
truth with notifications. Consequently
they at length come 10 mistake sem
olance Tor reality and 20 attach greater
moment 10 accessories than 10 essentials.
BY degrees this habit Of mind becomes
so absolutely their second nature thar
thenceforth, often throughout life. Il IN
spires their treatment Of the affairs con-
nded 70 them and dictates the reports
tney address 70 their Official superiors