Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-07-03
UNCLE SAM AFLOAT.
W.-0ur Nays
Diplomacy.
By Frederic J. Haskin.


They think Of 1t. rather. only in connec-
ton with contests of powder and shell.
and there is popular superstition that
the naval commander is FESTIVE when it
comes to the business of parleyng. In
spite of this current belief. our naval
commanders have been just as uniformly
successful in the execution OF dificult
diplomatic missions as the professional
members of our corps diplomatique. and
they have played an important part in
the International negotiations of our
government.
There can hardly be a more efficient
diplomat than the highly trained naval
oIncer. widely experienced in men and
International affairs. and backed by a
meet, squadron or rugged battleship,
every gun of which is a weighty argu
ment on his side of the question.
Naval diplomacy is diplomacy at its
source. The diplomatic agents of our
government secure respectful attention
to their claims and contentious largely
in the degree that our navy is strong
and ready for instant employment. Thus.
following the civil war. when our navy
was allowed to reach the lowest point in
our history, finally even rating below the
navy of Chile. our diplomats were snub-
bed. the representations OF our govern
ment laughed at. and, with but a few
Wooucu sIlpS mounting anI1Quat6u
for its support. the State Department
found that its demands. however just.
made scant impression upon other ma
tons
The three greatest achievements to the
credit OF our naval diplomats are the
opening to the world of Korea. China and
Japan. OF these. the most signal triumph
was Perry's treaty with Japan. The
American commodore found the Japanese
in 1853 steadfastly opposed to all inter-
course with the nations Of the west. 1t
was only after a display Of firm determi-
nation and by infinite tact that Commo-
dore Perry was able to negotiate a treaty
with exclusive Nippon which guaranteed
protection to shipwrecked Americans.
permission Tor ships in distress to enter
any Japanese port. and the opening or
two ports Of call, where. with some re-
strictions. Americans might trade. With
in a year. England, Russia and Holland
took advantage Of the beginning made
by the United States and also secured
treaties.
Other important diplomatic negotiations
have been carried on by naval command
ers with France, Denmark and the Bar
barry states, Turkey, African states. Ha-
wall Samoa and the countries Of south
America Their history begins with the
beginning of the republic. or about 1'fS,
and runs down to the present. 10 great
degree the navys diplomatic efforts have
been confined to countries that were
backward. undeveloped or little known.
In the case Of the exceptions. France
to prize claims Of the navy against these
two countries, and were carried on by
Americas naval hero. John Paul Jones.
1t was the American navy that taught
the world the proper diplomacy to en-
ploy toward the
Forced Respect pirate states.
of Barbary Pirates. Algeria an d
Tripoli. The history Of our negotiations
with these countries covers the period
from 1888 to 1916. In the beginning Of
our dealings with the Barbary states, we.
in common with all the great powers of
Europe, paid them tribute for the pro-
In 1900 Commodore Edward Preble, with
a strong distaste for negotiating peace
with tribute. began dealings with these
countries which were destined to break
their power He strengthened his diplo-
matte representations by occasional
blockades and bomba rdments. much to
the chagrin and disappointment Of the
overbearing barbarians with whom he
had to treat
This new diplomacy. followed by sue
ceeding American commanders. greatly
increased the friendship and esteem of
the Barbary rulers for the United States
and finally led them to see the mistaken
justice Of preyfng upon our defenseless
merchant ships. The respect which they
came to feel for this country and its d.
plomacy, more vigorous than that of any
of the great European powers, is
well reflected in letter addressed to
President Madison in 1916 by the Dey
of Algeria. He was weak on the politics
and government of the United States. but
our late naval diplomats efforts with
him determined him to err upon the safe
side. He began his letter:
ITO his majesty the Emperor Of Amer
ica its adjacent and dependent provinces
and coasts and wherever his government
may extend, our noble friend, the sup
port of the kings of the nation of Jesus,
the pillar of all Christian sovereigns. the
most glorious amongst the princes, elect
ed amongst many lords and mobiles. the
happy. the great, the amiable James
Madison, Emperor of America may his
reign be happy and glorious and his life
long and prosperous). wishing him long
possession of the seal of his blessed
throne and long life and health. Amen"
X
.,ot a bad address for the naughty Afri-
can pirates whose unchastised depreda-
lions up o n
Other Maritime Nations the com
Followed U. S. Plan. nre .e 81 n .ae
tons of the world had strengthened them
in their belief that they we're the chosen
of Allah and the most powerful people
before oGd. After the United States