The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1911-07-15
TX On DOWR|ES
Would Stop International
Marriages.
DEFENDS DOLLAR DIPLOMACY"
Congressman Kahn Declares That at
No Time Had Our Diplomats
Resorted to Less ChiOanery
Than Now.

Washington, July ia heavy tan
on the dowries Of American brides In
international marriages. 80 that the
penuriOus but titled fortune hunters
might secure but small moiety OF the
price the bride pays him for name
which he himself dishonors by thus
putting II up at auction to the highest
bidder" was suggested by Representa-
tive Kahn, OF California. In the house
as n means to stop alliances between
American heiresses and broken down
foreign noblemen.'
MIR Kahn came warmly TO the de-
tense Of dollar diplomacy" however,
and his speech was in answer to an
attack by Representative Henry OF
Texas, a week ago. Declaring that al
no time in the history OF the republic
have the American ambassadors, or
ministers to foreign courts. been less
obscauious, dressed In simpler clothes
and resorted to less nnesse and CHI
oano" than now Mr.. Kahn paid trib-
ute to the late John Hay. TO Elihu
Root and TO Philander c. Knox.
lie dwelt upon the brilliant and
successful efforts" Of Secretary Knox
20 extend American trade, "and his
pioneer work in making American d.
piomaoy an intense and worldwide
vis.iant promotion of the interests Of
the American people
The speaker insisted that Benjamin
Franklin and other ministers Of his
time were paid proportionately higher
salaries than present day diplomats.
Mr.. Kahn read a number OF COM
munlcations received at the state de-
partment a century or more ago. Silas
Dean. Representative Kahn said, wrote
home from France to the Continental
congress requesting that some pro-
ducts of the colonies be forwarded to
him TO be given to Queen Marie An
toinette to secure her royal influence.
Here is his letter as read by Mr.
Kahn:
Gifts to Secure Royal Favor.
December 81. 1776.-The queen Is
fond Of parade. and | believe wishes
for war and is our friend. She loves
riding on horseback. Could you send
me a fine Narragansett horse or two?
The money would be well laid out.
Rittenhouses aviary. or Arnold's col
lection Of insects, a phaeton Of Ameri-
can make and a pair Of bay horses,
few barrels Of apples. walnuts. cram
berries. butiernuts. etc. would be
great curlOsities."
Representative Kahn remarked that
Mr.. Henry had deoreed the fact that
men OF large means are invariably Sc
lectcd to mi responsible diplomatic
posts abroad.
From the very outset" said Mr.
Kahn. the pay to our representatives
abroad has been entirely inadequate
and at every period of our country's
history the men who have represented
us on diplomatic missions have been
compelled to use their private means
in order to maintain the dignity OF
their positions and 10 uphold the honor
Of their country"
Replying to Representative Kahn,
Mr Henry said Il was not the polite
formality, but the vulgar extrava-
ganCes into which this country has
rushed in diplomatic affairs Of which
he complained.
Continuing. Mr.. Henry said Am
bassadOr Reds vice regal state In
London is not typical OF the American
government"
Mr.. Henry said he would rather
this government should never send an
other representative to Berlin than to
take orders from the German govern
ment as to what is to be the sine
qua non OF a diplomat there"