Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-08-02
EMM1Ez9

arbitration is always the ultimate means
of settlement. Why not make it the prf-
mary means? Much expense and loss or
human life would be saved. Arbitration
invariably adjusts international disputes.
Diplomatists are the arbitrators. 1t de-
wolves upon the country to train its diplo-
mats and place them in positions to de-
velop their talents. This. therefore. Is
the relation between the sending of d.
Dlomatists abroad miilionaires or not,
with care only for the duties of office
and the movement for peace, in which
Mr.. Carnegie is interested.
Henry White. who has had wide expe-
rience as a diplomatst, having acted as
ambassador to France and Italy and pre-
viously in his career as secretary of en-
bassies at Vienna and London. says that
1t is intolerable that man should he alb
sorbed with thoughts as to where this
franc or that mark has gone when Affairs
of the office should be his primary consid-
Grafton. Mr.. White feels that if embassy
buildings are provided for the ambassa-
doris and ministers. their positions will be
much strengthened and many of the APP
palline humiliations which are obviously
felt will he relieved
Mr.. White tells of an instance of which
he was aware while in the public service.
At the death of a distinguished compa-
triot the ambassador was instructed 10
ny the flag at half mast following the
American custom OF showing respect He
ordered the flag. which flew out of the
window of the fat occupied as embassy
Offices to be lowered accordingly. Hard
~ had the order been executed than the
other inhabitants OF the house objected
to the display of signs of mourning on a
house which they shared with the en-
1,Dx, e.l~s ,.-s..
right
Then, too there is always the example
of the splendid things that other coun-
tries are doing for their ambassadors. to
iterate the pettiness with which the posi-
ton seems to be treated at home. In the
capitals OF the foremost powers a sum-
mer country home as well as the city
home is provided. The foreign establish
ments are made to reflect the standards
and attitude of the home country toward
the ones to which II sends representa-
tives.
Affairs of state are abstract things
but their settlement is a personal matter.
1t Is a wise diplomat who knows that
after a pleasing dinner amid surround
ings that are conducive to calm consid-
Grafton. more amicable adjustment is
liable to be effected than if the affair
was discussed in the business Office
where the foreign minister of state is
perhaps tired and hungry or thirsty.
Every question Of state, abstract as it
may seem, has been the child of some
mans brain and every change will be
the result of personal thought AS af-
fairs come under the judgment of am
bassadors and ministers. they will be
settled accordingly as the government
emphasizes brains or pocketbooks.
The condition, to be faced is that am
bassadors and ministers, the only rep
resentatives of all of the people of the
United States besides the President and
the Vice President, are forced to pro-
vide out of salaries that are not half as
large as those paid to ambassadors of
other countries at the same capitals not
only a building large enough to properly
house the archives. but one in which he
may suitably return the hospitality which
he receives from those among whom his
work is carried on and with. The nation
is asking men to represent it in demo-
cratic manner reflective of American
democratic principles. and is also asking
them to assume enormous expenses
which are properly its own, but which it
does not defray The result is that no
man. able or desirable as he may be.
can be asked to accept a diplomatic post
unless he is possessed of large fortune.