The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1912-05-13
My Diplomatic
Mission
II Was My First and
My Last
By F. A. mitchell

admiral. When my father was retired
he joined us In Washington, where
we lived. At his death, his incore
being cut off, l found it necessary to
do something to add to the small in
come of my mother and was given a
clerkship in the navy department, but
the salary was small, and l confess
| looked forward 10 the humdrum life
before me with dislike.
Notwithstanding our limited re-
sources maintained my position ia
society. Washington does not suffer
socially from commercialism as other
American cities. j was invited just as
often after my entrance upon my clerk
ship as before. Indeed, | occupied a
better social status than many newly
rich people who. having suddenly ac-
quired wealth. settled in Washington
TO spend 1t.
One evening during reception at
the White House the wife of mem
Der of the Russian diplomatic corps
sought me out and drew me away from
the throng for q chat. She gradually
led the conversation upon myself and
asked me how / would like to enter
the diplomatic service. Upon asking
her what she meant she explained that
diplomacy was synonymous with CHI
canery. There was constant effort
between the diplomats of the world to
get possession of each others secrets
and thus forestall action. / was inter
ested, and the lady proceeded 10 tell
me that women were usually mixed
up in these affairs and We're relied on
principally by their husbands TO ex-
tract information from their diplo-
matte rivals. Then, after pledging me
to secrecy, she told me that the Rus
sian embassy was at that time I'm want
OF an attractive woman to obtain IA
secret from diplomat and that she
would be paid literally for the service
rendered.
to learn II l would undertake the mat
ter. neither accepted nor declined,
leaving her. intending to think it over.
i did think 1t over and came to de-
cision that may be considered peculiar.
/ determined that would not Cishon-
or my fathers name by becoming a
spy; but, being infatuated with the
idea of swimming in that undercur-
rent Of duplicity that had been men
toned, resolved to accept the offer,
but not for pay. / had an object in
view that concerned my own individ-
ual self far more than Russia. When
had made up my mind l called on
the lady who had been given the com
mission to employ me and told her
was ready 10 listen TO proposition.
dare say that this may be consider
ed Whipping conscience around the |
stump, ~, 1T the time was not awsse |
OF doing anything dishonorable. was
employed by the Russian embassy-no |
particular person In it was specified |
to get "a secret from the secretary of |
legation of Great Britain. 1t was sus- |
pected by the Russians that England |
was making a secret treaty with the
sublime porte. Russia has always been |
at issue with the other European pow
ers as to Turkey, and ever since the
British minister. just previous to the
Crmean war, Russia has been eager to
get even with England by some sharp
diplomatic move. / was therefore en-
ployed to draw this secret from Ed
ward Claiborne, who would surely be
cognizant of 1t, who had chosen diplo-
macy as a profession and was expect
Ing soon to be raised TO the rank Of
ambassador
At the next important social func-
ton, given by the secretary OF state.
member of the Austrian embassy asked
permission TO present his friend Ed
ward Claiborne. What the Austrian
had to do with the matter / did not
know. Evidently he was either in some
way connected with the plot or Mas be-
Ing made tool Of. That was nothing
to me, but | experienced peculiar
sensation Of pleasure at being launch
ed In the whirlpool OF diplomatic chi
,anery. | graciously permitted the In
reduction and found Mr.. Claiborne
very agreeable. Indeed. he was of the
best type Of English gentleman, not no.
Die. but well connected at home and
IA every way desirable. refrained at
his first meeting from anything con-
lected with the work had undertake.
m. simply endeavored to make my
'clf as agreeable as possible to him. /
Jaw at once that he was nn intellectu-
u man. and treated hhn accordingly
that Is, l talked of anything but ,
veighty. matters. Girls make a mis- /.
axe in thinking that men OF depth
wish deep women for companions. One (,
night as well expect lawyer to talk
aw for amusement. However, L per-
nitted Mr. Claiborne to do most of the
alking, leaving Lin 10 chat as he lik-
ID. Small talk Is all that can be in !.
reduced ut social functions anyway.
MIR. Claiborne asked permission To
all upon me, which was. of course. !,
'ranttd. We occupied the same house :
IS when my father lived, n two story
sick near - circle, and it had I'm Il
Il observation-disclosures OF simplicity. NV !.
isitor told me during the evening that .
e would sail for england ON leave OF y
i'sence the next week. told him that
was about tU go abroad. and by com. .
airing notes II turned out. thnt 7 had y
UlaUpI mV pnCcoOo -. Al II