The Washington herald., 1914-07-27
OUR FOREIGN SERVICE.
A New Order of Things Marks Our
Stateeraft Abroad.

The new foreign service OF the United
States is now In full swing, The ad-
mInistration has compisted its changes
The Amsrican embassies and legations
abroad are In new hands The men of
experiences IN diplomatic life who held
these positions have been retired There
is new order Of things In our state
craft In foreign lands. The making OF
diplomatic appointments IL always a Sig
nifcant test OF n President. These are
the places that belong 10 no State and to
no section. The whole country Is the field
Of selection. BY the choice that is made
can q President be well judged.
The greatest compliment that c&n Be
paid to a foreign nation Is the appoint
ment OF q representative who has a
high standing at home and who comes
there with the prestige OF national repu-
tation and achievement. Such q repre-
sentative Will have an effectiveness In
Diplomatic demand and negotiation which
would be lacking in a person not possess
ed OF such qualities. This important
phase Of foreign appointments seems to
have been overlooked and disregarded by
the present administratIon. The IeIec-
ttons that have been made are most of
them based on the two principles OF pure
ly local standing. and personal relations
with the occupant Of the White House
Only one Of the important appointees
has had previous diplomatic experience
OF any character. That Is Mr.. PenneId
at Vienna. and his selection IL the result
Of his efforts in behalf OF Mr. Wilson's
nomination and his generosity during the
campaign rather than because OF his con-
sular service in Egypt. The appointment
of Mr.. Page in London was the selection
by Mr.. Wilson of his biographer and
faithful journalistic supporter and was a
complete surprise both 10 England and 70
the United States.
After an inexcusable delay OF a wear.
during which this country has been en-
tirely unrepresented at one OF the most
important courts of Europe, our Ambas- |
sador to Russia Is AR. Mayre, OF Cali
fornts, a retired stock broker OF San
Francisco, whose name and fame have
hitherto been things unknown to his |
The fact that he was |
not selected until after the unfortunate |
experience with Mr.. Pindell. Of Peoria. |
VIII not add TO his diplomatic prestige in |
his new station. To France there goes
Mr.. Sharp, OF Ohio. a man who has served |
just two terms in Congress. without the
nations being aware OF his presence there.
and whose repute has not wandered out
side the limits Of his State
AT Rome there Is Thomas Nelson Page
writer Of charming tales OF Southern life.
but wholly inexperienced In public life
and unversed in the knowledge Of things
diplomatic. II was entirely a personal |
appointment OF the President, and, in
order TO make Il. Il was necessary to
give the post in Spain to Mr. Willard OF
the same State in order to recognize the
Virginia Democratic political dynasty
and to assure the confirmation OF Mr..
Page. To Portugal was sent Mr.. Birch,
of New Jersey. whose claim TO recognI-
lion was service on the stan Of Gov |
Wilson
The Ambassador to Germany. Mr..
3erard, was unknown outside the cIty
II New York when appointed The repu-
alton Of Mr.. Guthrie. the Ambassador
10 Japan, was a strictly Pennsylvania
lfair.. To China was sent Mr. Reinsch,
II Wisconsin. a college professor and 4
scholastic friend OF Mr.. Wilson. The
chairman OF the Democratic finance COM
nittee in the last campaign. Mr. Nor
senthau. OF New York. is our represent
tive In Turkey. In Belgium is ex-
Mayor Whitlock. OF Toledo.
These are the selections Of the President
or the important posts in our diplomatic
citations with the world outside II is
lot an impressive list. They are not l
nen whose fame had ever reached the r
ountry of their appointment. But they a
re Mr.. Wilson's ideas OF how our for :
ign service should be constituted. To a
he United States the imortant nations !
( the world send their best trained dip !
omats and most experienced men. This :
ction the Wilson administration GER
ainly does not reciprocate--Philadelp ,
'ress.