The Washington herald., 1909-07-11
By RUDOLPH DE zAPP.


countries feels deeply Inundated and
would ike criticising somebody for the
shabby buildings in which the diplomatic
and consular Representatives OF Uncle
Sam live and have their Offices. There
Is no doubt but that this country should
provide buildings for its representatives
abroad OF a character suitable TO its
dignity, wealth, and Importance among the
powers Of the world Bearing this idea
IN mind, the American Embassy Asso-
cIation was recently organized IN New
York City. It is 10 promote the acquisi-
ton by the United States OF permanent
homes IN foreign capitals for its ambas-
sadors and consuls.
While most foreign embassies in Wash
ington are owned by their respective
governments. the government Of the
United States does not own single
Rmbassatorial residence in Europe Much
has been said about the gorgeousness
Of some OF the American ambassadors
and their private homes in the various
capitals OF Europe, but discreet silence
has been maintained about the actual
American embassies.
The fact is II Is usually supposed that
the embassy Offices are where the am
bassador lives, and that is the case
with most Of the other powers. which
own big houses-sometimes palaces
where their ambassadors live. rent free.
and have their Offices. too.
The German Embassy, in London, for
instance, is a magnificent $1,000 year
mansion In Carlton House Terrace. Just
beyond William Waldorf Astor's home.
across the street from the mansion OF
Sir Gilbert Parker. who luckily has
rich American wife. The italian and
French embassies in London iare also
worthy Of princes.
The American Embassy is crowded into
a few particularly stuffy. III lighted.
grimy rooms in an Office building IN
Victoria street. affOrding a marked con-
trast 10 the splendors OF Dorchester
House, where Mr.. Reid lives, ten minutes
walk distant. The embassy Is located
between q second hand furniture shop
and a second-class restaurant. and oc-
cupies the basement, ground floor. and
one or two rooms on the top floor of an
unattractive brOwnstone secOnd-class
building. The outward appearance OF
the embassy gives one an impression OF
melancholy decrepitude, which is more
than confirmed by the interior. All the
Offices are badly furnished. Even the
ambassadors private sanctum appears
shabby.
When In his office. the American Am
bassador in London sits in ground
floor front room which is literally right
on the street From the top OF a London
bus you can peer down into the ambas-
sadorial sanctun. Besides the lack OF
privacy, there IS the additional discom-
fort OF street noises made by numbering
motor 'busses and other traffic The
whole impression conveyed by the en-
bassy is one OF cheapness- Considering
the immense amount Of business done.
one is surprised al the utter lack OF up
to-date. modern Office equipment.
Speaking OF these shortcomings, a well
known American resident IN London, who
knows the embassy thoroughly and who,
as a business man has travelled eXten-
sively and visited various other American
embassies in different parts Of the world,
made the following statement: Our
embassy in London is one of the poorest
business propositions I have ever come
across. Besides the whole down-at-heel
appearance Of the place. it lacks certain
necessities which even a second-rate busi-
ness concern IN e backwoods town would
possess. There is not even a vault al
the embassy 70 keep state papers IN, and
the most valuable books and documents
are placed promiscuously about the
of1ce, where any one with a little in
genuity could abstract them II he wished.
II there was a fire at the embassy, papers
Of the utmost importance would be lost
simply for the want OF the most ordinary
business foresight The American EN-
bassy holds its Office on a yearly lease al
a cost OF $500 year, and any time
the landlords may give the occupants
OF the chief headquarters OF America IN
Europe, notice TO quit AS matter
Of fact. the offices Of the American En-
bassy in London are held to-day on a
sort Of charitable lease. Both build
ings Immediately adjoining II are rented
as shops at 5000 a year. and several
offers at higher rents have been made
to the landlords. a banking institution
but they have so far not tufned the
American Embassy out from feeling o,
sentimental courtesy.
Every one who goes 20 the American
Embassy notices the woe begone appear,
ance Of the whole show. Il is not good
business on the part Of the American
81 government 20 slight its own embassy
for in these days Of modernity. appear
ances count for a lot. Not long ago g
prominent British business man asked ar
American where the American Embassy
was. The American said. in Victoria
street oh. yes exclaimed the English
man. down there among the other colo
nies.' II IS pretty rough on Americans
10 be classed as a British colony
The embassy in London is about or
par with the other American En-
bassies abroad. For instance, up to q
short time ago. the American Embassy
at COnstantinople was simply disgrace
ful; IL was IN a positive slum and the
Turkish authorities, during the last out
break. said they could not protect u
unless we moved into a decent part o.
the town. All over the east the sam,
conditions prevail IN TeheTan, TIT
United States occupy a veritable shanty
and there Is no way OF protecting Incl-
Sans property. II any one thought &
worth while 10 steal out cookbook. O,
other state papers. It would be simple
enough. In Tokyo, the American En-
bassy is shabby and certainly fails X
inspire the Japs with the. idea Of Amer.
ica's greatness. The only decent en-.
bassy in the east is in China. From tht
business mans point Of view. the Ameri
can embassies all over Europe rehec
on this country. What IS needed every.
where abroad are permanent houses witt
good vaults for holding state papers. Tn.
ambassador should be decently housed
at the expense Of the State. on a par with
other plenipotentiaries with whom he hal
dealings"
In Berlin the Office Of the American
Embassy is housed in fat over a bool
store. for which the rent paid is aZ
q month. AS the business premises 0,
the American Embassy-or "chanceIIerv.'
as the place has been called for dignity'l
sake-Unter den Linden So, one high
up, has sheltered United States diplo