The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1913-08-04
House Hunting Envoy to Berlin
Has Novel Scheme to Keep
Up Embassies.
WOULD ASSESS ALL $40
Justice Dissatisfied With Am.
bassadOrial Outlook in
German Capital.

'ptt"s t"ofc Dt"Vvse" W A"" Ss'''
BERLIN. Aug. 3.-Justice James w.
Gerard, the new United States Ambassa-
dor to Germany. set at rest talk that the
American Embassy here under the Wilson
Administration is to be conducted asdemo.
cratically and as unpretentiously as q
farmers home. that the new Ambassador
would call on the Kaiser in q gray sack
suit IL not in his shirt sleeves and that
only lemonade would be served at the
embassy dinners.
; After looking over the field and falling
to find a suitable house for the embassy
and realizing that he would have to dip
into his own pockets (dive into them, as he
expressed ~ to establish an embassy
on the scmblance Of those Of third rate
Power Justice Gerard said he was dis
courased and disappointed. He even ques.
toned his own wisdom In having accepted
the post.
He frankly announced he was going to
play the diplomatic game as nearly as
possibly as do the representatives OF other
Powers. as It is expected. to be played
iere. and not as many In America un-
familiar with the situation believe II ought
to be played.
willing 10 Wear Knee Breeches.
"Yes." he said. II shall even wear the
diplomatic uniform. It's q rule OF the
court and I'm not going to commence by
offending the prejudices OF the people
am sent to. although my legs are not built
for knee breeches and silk stockings. II
is all very well to talk about democracy
at home. but we can't impose our views
upon people who don't understand them
To try to do 20 simply belittles our coun.
try and makes ourselves ridiculous.
IAN Ambassador Is supposed to get things
for his country and to do things for his
people and promote friendly relations
He can't do this II ne Is looked on as a
fool or II the United States maintains q
representation on the scale Of . third rate
Power"
In a brown suit and straw hat Justice
Gerard had quite an air Of Jeffersonian
simplicity. but he gave severe Jolt to
this idea OF economy which people In
America always say ought to be the basis
on which TO conduct the diplomatic ser.
vice.
III we can't maintain embassies ant
legations as We should" he went on. ''th,
diplomatic service ought to be abolished
1t Is painful after seeing other embassies
to find that We maintain a representation
less than some OF the third rate Powers
This talk OF a poor man as an Ambassa
dor In present conditions Is absurd"
Present Quarters Too Small.
In reply to a question as to what h
thought an Ambassador representing tn
United States as II should be represente,
would be obliged to spend Justice Gerar,
| said:
well. one American Ambassador tol,
me he spent sl2s.oOO In less than the yea
| he has been at his post"
The new envoy said the embassy her
| is too small and most OF II taken up b.
Offices. He couldn't invite his mother
in-law. and said he thought Presiden
Wilson must have had the size Of the en-,
bassy In mind when he selected a child
less Ambassador. who nevertheless Nigh
want to adopt a child.
Justice Gerard said he would prepare
bill to be introduced In Congress pro
viding that Americans residing abroa'
should be forced to contribute to the up
keep Of the embassies and legations.
| The bill will provide that American
over the age of IS when they 90 to
foreign country must register within si'
days after the end Of the first year spen
abroad. I'LL out a registration certificat
and pay fee Of $40. the embassies to re
tain the fees up to $4,000 and the surplu
to be sent to the State Department 70
the maintenance Of other embassies an
legations. Failure to comply with tn
provisions Of the bill would imply aban
donment OF American citizenship.
Justice Gerard believes this will ais
serve to keep a check on Americana VIII
might 60 abroad 10 escape paying incom
tax.
Mrs. Gerard and her sister, Counties
Sigray. are expected to arrive to-morro
from Hungary.