Evening star., 1914-04-12
Minister Egan Advocates Per-
manent Homes for U. S.
Representatives.
TALKS OF THE ETIQUETTE
AT CAPITAL OF DENMARK
Says Europeans Want Government
Stamp on What Is Done by
Diplomatists.

Diplomatic representatives OF the tinted
states, In order TO receive tho utmost
recognition and prestige in European
capltais. should be provided with perma-
nent embassies and legations This Is
the opinion OF Dr. Maurice Francis Essan
minister to Denmark for the last seven
years, who has entertained more Euro
pean royalty than any other American
Minister Egan reached Washington yes
terday on leave of absence Of two
months. which he is to spend lectrr.us
at Harvard and through the south. under
auspices of the Southern agricultural
commission on intensive and co-opera
tive methods as employed in Denmark
Through his residence of eight years
here as professor at tho Catholic I-nive-
sity. Minister Egan has come TO consids;.
Washington his home and IN an excIu-
sive Interview to The Star yesterday dc
cried the effort to abrosate the half-and
half principle Of paying for the upkeep
and Identification of the National Capl-
tai. which he calls the most beautiful
in the world
Curious Problem Presented.
s'oSiAi CoHuitiOnS IN denmark, Or.
Egan said. represent a curious problem
for the American visitor Although It Is
a country of constructive socialism, yet
the monarchy is impregnable, and the
most advanced socialists are most loyai
to the king, who is a model of constitii-
tional monarch. Less democratic than
his brother, King Haakon of Norway. he
makes the court etiquette in Denmark
very strict; consequently the last winter
season in the capital was very strenuous
for the diplomatists. especially as the
king and queen. being young. preferred
to be entertained at dances rather than
at formal dinners"
Questioned as to the expenses of his
post. DR.. Egan said that they were un-
which does not exist at other European
legations of entertaining many royal
people. who are. probably, from the point
of view of good manners and amiabilitl.
the easiest of all people to entertain. He
hoped that a legation at Copenhagen
might soon be built.
Regarding the question of permanenl
legations and embassies for United States
diplomatists In the countries to which
they are assigned. DR.. Egan frankl,-
diplomatic service will not reach Its
highest recognition abroad until sucn
homes are provided for them.
Must Have Government Stamp.
He said that in his experience no am
bassador or minister gained any prestig
for his country by renting splendid homes
on his own account. Europeans do not
respect" he said. anything done hy
diplomatist abroad. unless this has thH
government stamp. A man who is r!c.
might at any European capital hire til
most splendid palace, but the European
would Simply say: He is rich: he spends
his money as a rich man. but his riches
in no way give his house the govern
mental stamp. So. until we have lesa-
tons and embassies in which every ci-
plomatist. rich or poor. must live Or
dwellings will not be looked upon a.
part of our government or as really ex
traterritorial.
An American diplomatist simply has
his prestige from his government in the
eyes of the Europeans. and no display o.
ostentation will make him more impor-
tant than the American government
makes him
Minister Egan. asked whether he be
lieved in having uniforms for diplomatists
and whether it was true that the Gov
ernor OF Pennsylvania had put him on
his staff In order that he might wear
never worn a uniform or court dress. and
that he considered out of place all uni
forms that were not authorized by the
American government
"a military uniform worn by diplo-
mat who is not a military attache." he
said, would be as little in place at court
as a kings crown worn by a man who is
not king. II there were to be uni
forms they should be diplomatic uni
forms The diplomatist has no right to
appropriate the symbols of military rank
which have no value whatever diplomat
ically But after ALL" Minister Egan said,
cit is q matter OF individual taste and
politeness, and it seems to me just as
snobbish to oppose a symbol, which a
diplomatic uniform is" He said he
thought the tendency at all European
courts is to simplify the diplomatic uni
form as much as possible.
Degrees in Impressiveness.
Asked what he thought was the most
impressive of ali diplomatic uniforms, DR.
Egan said the republics Of South America
and that OF France by their gorgeous
dress outshine all the others. He con
fessed however, that the most beautiful
of all male apparel was the Magyar dress
of the Hungarian ambassadors and min
listers. But" he added again. lit is a
question of taste which only the trained
Of the ladies in this matte
can decide
Mr.. and Mrs. Egan are stopping at tia
Shoreham for a few days. They are al
ready engaged for dinners and luncheons
for several weeks in advance.