The Washington herald., 1909-08-22


Pbso. October Is next. and its acceptance
by Cen Porfrio Diaz, who as young
man took part IN the Mexican war Of 1917
against tho United States. cannot fan TO
promote the friendly relations between
their respective countries.
It is a pity that the meetings OF the
Executive Of the United States with for
eign rulers are so rare, since they I'M
doubtedly contribute to the cause of
peace. They nave heen few and far be-
tween in the past. the one notable in
stance having been the visit OF several
weeks duration paid by the late Dom
Pedro. Emperor OF Brazil. and his En-
press at the time OF the Philadelphia
Centennial Exhibition OF 1876. when they
we're cordially welcomed by President
Grant at Washington.
II was the first occasion OF a reigning
sovereign coming TO this country, and
many troublesome questions Of etiquette
arose. an the more difficult TO solve by
reason OF the absence of any sort of
precedent 70 serve as guidance Gen
Grant settled most Of them by invariably
Welding the pas" to his distinguished
guests, in accordance with what appeared
70 him to be the dictates OF official as well
as OF private courtesy.
Only on one occasion that I can recall
did he take precedence OF the Emperor.
Il was at a big dinner given by Sir Ed
ward Thornton. then British Minister at
Washington. who had spent many years
ar Rio as envoy. This entertainment was
primarily for the Emperor. But in view
OF the fact that Gen. Grant was the Pres
ident OF the country TO which Sir Edward
was accredited he outranked every one
else present and headed the procession
into the dining-room, with our host, the
Emperor. following In his wake with the
Vice President Moreover, the first toast
proposed by Sir Edward was one to Gen
Grant, and il was only after It had been
duly honored that we were invited 70
drink the health or Dom Pedro
II no other monarch has followed the
brazilian Emperor's example and visited
the United states (save the dusky-hued
rulers Of the Sandwich Islands, who could
not be taken very seriously). II has been
mainly due 10 the belief that the compli
ment could not be returned. as required
BY the laws OF international comfy and
etiquette. and that therefore trip 20
the United States 20 call on the President
would be equivalent 20 the invitation Of
an affront. which. far from improving.
could only impair the friendly relations
between the two countries concerned.
Much OF the enmity which the Italians
entertain toward Austrian enmity
which virtually nullifes all the impor-
tonce Of their participation in the triple
alliances attributable TO sense Of the
indignity placed upon the nation by the
persistent refusal Of Emperor Francis
Joseph. or even Of his heir apparent, 10
return at Rome the state visits paid to
the court Of Vienna by King Victor En-
manuel II in 1873. and by King Humbert
and Queen Marguerite IN 1852.
This apprehension on the part OF for
eign rulers. that their official visits TO
America would not be returned by the
President Of the United States, has been
owing to the belief that there was some
thing IN the Constitution Of this country
which debarred its Chief Magistrate from
leaving its territory under the penalty of
the forfeiture OF his Office. An impress
sion TO this effect has even prevailed
very widely right here IN America. and
Il was not until President Roosevelt set
90 NOlh " AlohpA III ~ 6dllilAb ADi Allt
isthmus, and visiting the republic OF
Panama and its President that the fall
lacy OF the ideas existing as 20 the re-
strictons placed on the movements of
the nations Executive was realized by
the public. The fact OF the matter is.
that there is nothing in the Constitu-
ton Of the United States that could pre-
vent the President from visiting in his
official capacity England. France Ger
many, or even Japan. IL he came 10 the
conclusion that the interests OF the
nation which had entrusted him with its
destinies in electing him would be pro-
NOTED thereby.
In olden times the question Of distance
and the length of a voyage extending
over a period Of perhaps thirty days, ali
the time beyond reach, might have been
regarded as an obstacle. Nowadays, such
hindrances no longer exist. With ocean
greyhounds crossing the Atlantic in four
DAYS the distance of Europe from
America is not much greater than that
between St. Petersburg and Cherbourg
Or between Portsmouth and Naples-trip;
such as the Car has undertaken within
The last three weeks and that King Ed
ward is accustomed to make on board
ais steam yacht Victoria and Albert
every spring.
The late King Carlos OF Portugal, had
ne not been murdered in February a year
ago. would have sailed from Lisbon sil
weeks later for Rio 10 return there II
state the official visit paid to him by th'
President of Brazil, and TO attend th'
festivities in honor Of the centennial o
that country's independence. King Leo
@F Trr
number Of friends in the United States
but likewise business associates, such a
Thomas F. Walsh and Thomas B. Ryan
constantly goes of on long cruises CT
board his steam yacht Alberta. leavinl
his ministers at Brussels without an,
knowledge Of his whereabouts for thre
and four weeks together and would hav,
gladly visited America had he believe,
FOR one moment that the complimen
would be returned by the American Elk
scutlve, Indeed. were the apprehension
on this subject in the minds OF TN
Amounted of the Lord in the Old Work
set at rest, It Is probable that foreigl
rulers would include Washington anon,
the capitals OF the great powers TO which
they are expected 10 pay a "visite d
rigueur" on their accession to the throne
For there is no government in Europ
N+eN eVNo heh HN0h W tulAlNdlt Llc lIleuQ
ship OF the United States and to secur
prominence among other nations il
American good will Some OF them. in
deed. make II the keynote of their foreigl
policy.
AS 20 the honors with which the Pres
dent who ~ means OF wireless teleg
raphy could remain In touch with Wash
ington at every hour throughout the tri
across the ocean. would be received 6
Europe they would undoubtedly be sim
lar TO those accorded to the Presiden
n the French republic when they hav
visited ST. Petersburg, London, Rom'