Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1913-10-25
H|CHPRICEDHONOR
II Costs to Represent Uncle Sam
at a Foreign Court.
AEoeED ABOUT BY DIGNITY.

sssasO w ssSOos4SbOuIo = sS SOOOS =
New 'Ambassader- Ceremonies In
Which 10 Must Participate and Fol
Which HI Must Give Lavish Tips.
An unofficial American can live more
economically abroad than at home
that is a fact. Food is cheaper. Sery-
ants work for less money. This being
so, why is it not possible for an un-
pretentious Yankee diplomat to live in
Europe for the same money us in
America? l put the question to a for
mer ambassador who has lived in Lon.
don. Paris and Rome.
"They tell me one can go to the mar
ket and buy a part Of a chicken-a
wing or a drumstick. Think Of it!
Food must be cheap there"
"But the ambassador cannot sally
forth with a market basket on his
arm" said the retired diplomat.
That sums up the difficulty. An am
bassador cannot do anything for him
self. So he is a shining mark for ev-
erybody. There is nobody SO helpless
in America, except the poor taxpayer.
Let US look into it.
International law, which is as full Of
fine spun distinctions as common law
or domestic law. regards IN ambas-
sador as the direct personal representa-
tive Of the ruler Of his country and
ordains that he be treated in a manner
BETTING such a very important per
SON. This accounts for the ceremony
attending the ambassadors p%resenta-
ton of. the presidents letter Of Gre
dence to the sovereign. In detail the
function varies in different countries,
but the continental custom is in gen.
eral as follows:
At the day and hour fixed by the
king, emperor or president a court
functionary of high degree in gorgeous
uniform appears at the abode Of the
new American ambassador. He Is ac-
coinpanied by numerous other person
ages, somewhat lower in rank, but
uniformed In. equally bright colors. He
is provided with three court carriages.
together with attendants and outriders.
he is in command Of a mounted escort
and. last, but not least, Of 4 White
plumed band, a%ccoutered with instru-
ments Of glittering BRASS.
The American ambassador, probably
Austered by the ceremony. is con-
Quoted to the first of the carriages.
which is drawn by eight horses. He is
politely waved to the back seat, while
his personal escort. Instead of sitting
by his side. takes the seat facing him.
Tie Yankee dlplorn&f wears a frock
coat-Princc Albert, he calls it-and o
silk hat. and his gloves, dictated by
his wife, are Of gray suede.
Across from him sits the chief func-
tionary, attired with q brilliance sell
dom seen outside Of comic opera.
Inssolemn stately procession the car
riages and %outriders, preceded by the
mounted troop, with the resonant band
in the van, take up the march to the
palace. On both sides of tile thorough
fare is a curious. gaping crowd. At
that; the many corps de garde. soldiers
come out and present arms, and when
the American ambassador, a plain
man. perhaps, arrives at the palace
there is an elaborate presentation of
arms and Il beating Of drums that com
pletely take the gimp out Of him.
Unexpectedly simple is the SOY
ereign's reception of the new diplomat
but after it is over the American must
again endure the c%eren1onious process
sional back to his A0naicile. Then
comes the shock.
The first secretary explains that the
sun must not set BeforeTt4e %pourboire
is distributed. Thiss the ambassador
learns, is French for tip. Hc also
learns that tho transportation to and
from the palace has q purse string to
IT. The keeper Of the royal stables
must be tipped.
ut is an inviolable custom" insists
the first secretary. g.
"How much?" asks the fedgling dip
lomat. ss
For an ambassador says tue first
secretary. ''tlle rule is $500"
There is probably an explosion. but
in the end the ambassador pays.
A London editor. who was born in
America and received his newspaper
training on this side Of the water, once
said:
"You safely give a present. II
not u gratuity, to any official below
the sovereign on the continent"
How about Englanl?y's asked.
"The present should be more expen.
sive. the gratulty larger Henry
! Beach Needham in saturday Evening
Post.
\ Paint Saves Money.
Why not use a little paint occasion.
ally? 1t prolongs the life of the build
ings, adds value to the price OF the
farm and helps to make a ''home beau
tiful;'' Buildings last %: to 50 per cen,
In1nn.. ~ rainfoI rrl,af ONhonc that. q