The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-01-02
Diplomatic Post Taking
on More Importance of
Recent Years This
City Unique as aSocial
Center, and ENJOYS
Play a Prominent Part
in Social Life.
ny MRS. C. NJ. CONGER.


relations. that her geographical position
and her foreign policies cut her OFF from
the rest of the world, and an appoint
ment TO the American Capital was re-
garded by foreign diplomatists as a vir-
tual exile, where there was no Oppor-
tunity to add to their laurels and no
compensation for this lack OF opportun-
ity The billet was. accordingly avoided
when possible and when unavoidable the
disgruntled diplomats who were accredit-
cd here accepted the detail with the same
grace they accepted other evils associat-
ed with their profession.
In recent years this opinion. for many
and obvious reasons has been changed
and to-day European governments rival
each other In sending the most accom-
plished men in their foreign service 10
represent them in what is virtually the
capital Of the western hemisphere and
among diplomats the world over wash
ington has come to be regarded as an
official plum eagerly sought after.
Unique as Social Center.
One OF the chief reasons for this change
of view is its uniqueness as a social cen
ter 1t differs in this regard from all
other capitals In the world. for, while
they are concerned with other business
than that of government, Washington
was created and exists for this sole pur-
pose. 1t is dominated by the Capitol. the
White House, and the various depart
ments, socially as well as officially, and
society is as much a part of the govern
ment as the legislation Congress enacts.
In this society the diplomatic corps
plays an important part, for an ENJOYS
main duty is to cultivate friendly rela-
tons" and the most effective way in
which to do this Is by keeping open house
and graciously accepting and promptly
returning the social COuTtesies offered.
a diplomats social popularity has, in
fact come to be regarded as such pow
erful asset that the appointment OF a
chief de mission at this post is generally
determined by HIS ability to attain it. So
much is this qualification reCkoned with
that there has at times been heated ri
valry between certain nations as TO
whose representative should have the
I.
Friend of Roosevelt.
It was regarded as a great coup when
early in President Roosevelts admins
tration Germany appointed Baron Stern
berg as her ambassador for Sternberg
had been an intimate Of the President
when the latter was civil service COM
missioner and the former was attached
10 the German Embassy He was mar
ried to an American wife, and having
been educated in England spoke 1awiess
English. 1t was generally admitted that
his influence would be very great, and it
was. No diplomat resident here was ever
held IN higher esteem
Great Britain sought to offset this in
fiuence by appointing a man with similar
advantages to recommend him. the late
Lord Herbert, who had served here at
the same time as Sternberg, had be-
longed to Mr. Roosevelts circle Of init
mates. and whose we was an American
girl one of the beautiful Wilson sisters,
Of New York
Lord Herbert died in a little more than
a year after his appointment where
Of those diplomatists who were in the
line Of promotion for this post. went out
side of the diplomatic service and select
ed a statesman. James Bryce. whose
popularity in this country was known to
be greater than that OF any other for
eigner, TO succeed him.
Well Equipped for Work.
The foreign ambassadors at present
stationed at Washington are without a
single exception as we'll equipped for the
social roles they must play as they are
for their official work, and this is espe-
cially true Of the dean Of the corps, Ba-
ron Mayor des Planches, who is one Of
Italy's cleverest statesmen. an astute and
sagacIOus diplomatist, and an agreeable
and accomplished man Of the world.
It was with some misgtvlngs and many
regrets that he gave up the mission to
Constantinople for which he had been
slated. to accept this post. for while he
knew nothing Of America, he had served
both as secretary Of legation and minis
ter in the Balkans, and had made a deep
study of the Eastern question. But he
took up his duties at Washington with
the philosophy that is characteristic OF
the successful diplomatlst. and in the
eight years he has been stationed here
he has come to regard the chance that
sent him to America instead Of to Turkey
as one of the happiest in his life.
II only realize" he said the other day.
''how much have come to love America
when I go home for my vacation. for
when 1t is time to return I no longer
leave Italy with regret, but look forward
with pleasure to coming back to my en-
bassy. and once here feel myself quite
happy and content"
Plays Important Role.
Previous to Baron Mayor des Planches'
regime Italy had played a minor role in
society at the Capital His immediate
predecessor, Baron Fava, passed the
greater part of his time in New York,
where the life was moro congeniaI to his
wife, who was never happy and never
quite at home in America and on his oc-
easional visits to Washington he lived
modeStly in q rented apartment and
made no pretense of entertaining.
With the arrival of Baron Mayor des
PIanches a new order OF things was in
augurated. One of the first acts of his
official career was the purchase for the
Italian government of the handsome and
imposing house which Mrs. Hearst, Wild
ON of the former Senator from Califor-
ria, had built as a home and the INSTALL
ing there of his embassy
This building is situated near Dupont