The Detroit times., 1909-03-17
WHITES SNUB TO
TAFTs COSTS HIM
HIS POST
DIPLOMAT IN VIENNA IN 1886
SIGHTED TAFT AND HIS
BRIDE, SAYS WRiTER-cUPlp
RULES sTArEcRAFT.

WASHINGTON, March l6.-1here
Is moral in the retirement as United
States ambassador TO France OF Henry
White. says Alfred Henry Lewis. In
dispatch to the New York American,
The writer says:
In 1886 Mr.. and Mrs. Taft had just
been married and were travelling
through Europe. wrapped in those
rainbow folds Of sentiment folk call
"a honeymoon"
The Tafts, In the course OF their
enraptured rambles, came TO Vienna.
There they found, among other mat
tiers of moment more or less, Mr..
White, who was secretary of legation
for the United States at the big city
on the Danube.
II has ever been the custom OF Mr.
White TO transact his greatness at
other peoples expense. A. mustard
seed for manhood, he likes power.
loves position for the chance IL offers
OF snubbing. neglecting. insulting
those who come TO him for official
help or favors. Arso on this Vienna
occasion of 1886 he snubbed, neglect
ed. insulted the wrong folk.
There was some function. whereof
royalty would be the center coming
on upon a near afternoon. Mr.. Tart
thought he'd take Mrs. Taft TO see II.
He asked MIR. White, secretary OF
legation, TO see about an invitation.
To procure such invitations was not
among things impossible. Mr.. White
could have had them at a merest hint.
Ihe opportunity to disappoint some
one was too good. Mr. White EN-
braced it. Upon the morning OF the
royal function Mr.. White sent note
10 Mr.. Taft. II ran in practically
these words:
Il am sorry 10 inform you that
was unable TO accomplish what you
asked. The affair is very exclusive.
The number OF invitations is limited
and they have been ordered sent only
to persons OF Importance and distinc-
ton. enclose, however. tickets to
the museum, and trust that Mrs Taft
and yourself will spend a pleasant af-
ternoon."
Mr.. Taft still has that White letter.
II has become. although not filed, the
big document in what might be called
1.-The Case Of Ambassador White"
Mr.. White has forwarded the usual
formal resignation. That was done
ed. and 1t arrived the other day. II
will be at once accepted. although
such acceptance will come periliously
near breaking the ambassadorial heart
OF Mr.. White. who likes his job
That White Vienna letter OF 1856
will be the reason, the real reason
OF the diplomatic letting tout OF Mr.
White. Mr.. Taft. whose good nature
II as hig Of belt and aS rotund 40 his
body, might forgive and forget, but
e the resentments OF Mrs Taft are of a
bitter temper and retain their edge
II Is she who insists upon the dis
missal OF Mr.. White Also. she will
have her way.
And why not? Vengeance is but
the other side of gratitude. and owns
as legitimate place In nature. What
Is either but a paying OF debts? A
man helps you and you help him; he
hurts you and you hurt him; and the
fact that the original helping or the
hurting happened 20 years ago has
nothing To do TO either diminish or
emphasize.
Mrs. Taft is right. and Mr.. White
not only must but ought to be dis
missed. Ii is well. too, that others in
our service abroad should know the
why's and wherefores OF the White
dismissal. It may act as argument
with them for cherishing what Ameri.
cans the breeZes from time TO time
blow to their legation houses With
the White fate before them. they may
be taught TO see in each coming
president and, in behalf OF their own
future. get politely, generously busy.