The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1913-09-25
HIGH PRICED HONOR
1t Costs to Represent Uncle Sam
at a Foreign Court.
HEDGED ABOUT BY DIGNITY.
Trials and Tribulations That Beset a
New Ambassador - Ceremonies In
Which He Must Participate and For
Which He Must Give Lavish Tips.

New Ambassador - Ceremonies In
Which He Must Participate and For
Which He Must Give Lavish Tips.
An unofficial American can live more
economically abroad than at home
that is a fact. Food is cheaper. Serv-
ants work for less money. This being
SO, why Is it not possible for an UNI
pretentious Yankee diplomat TO live in
Europe for the same money as in
America! | put the question 10 for.
mer ambassador who has lived in Lon.
don, Paris and Rome
They tell me one can sc 10 the mar.
ket and buy Il part of chicken-a
wing or drumstick Think of G..
Food must be cheap there.
But the ambassador cannot sally
forth with II 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 II shining mark for ey-
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 an ambas-
sador ms the direct personal representa-
tive of the ruler of his country and
, ordains that he be treated In II manner
betittlng such a very important per
son. This accounts for the ceremony
attending the ambassadors presenta
ton OF the presidents letter Of ere.
dcnce 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 court
functionary of high degree in gorgeous
uniform appears at the abode of the
new American ambassador. He is ac-
( companled 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 mounted escor1
and. last. but not least, of white
plumed band. accoutered with instru
ments of gllttering brass.
The American ambassador, probably
clustered by the ceremony. is con
Quoted TO the first of the carriages
which is drawn by eight horses. He Il
politely waved to the back seat, while
his personal escort. instead of sitting
by his side. takes the seat facing him
The Yankee diplomat wears frock
coat-Prince Albert, he calls it-and
silk hat and his gloves, dictated by
his wife. are of gray suede
Across from him sits the chief func-
tionary, attired with II brilliance sci
dom seen outside of comic opera.
In solemn 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 the thorough
fare is n curious. gaping crowd. At
that the many corps de garde soldiers
come out and present arms. and when
the American ambassador. Il plain
man. perhaps. arrives M the palace
there is an elaborate presentation of
arms and beating of drums that com
pletely take the gimp out of him.
Unexpectedly simple is the SOW
ereigns reception of the new diplomat
hut after il Is over the American must