The Washington herald., 1914-05-20
The Psslib; b;lil;ss s. Dinlonars. 8

the Hpoo1DU0e9 q U11oW1Gys y
When Theodore Roosevelt was still President b
1eommunieated to some Of those with whom 6e could
| be unconventional his conviction that diplomatic
service in the of the United States mot consular
Of course, was tribute of esteem and served as :
badge of distinction like the ribbon of the Legion Of
Honor or the decorations with which those of for
| eign nations are sometimes embiazoned Therefore
seemed to President Roosevelt that speedy rotation
in Office holding of this kind was of merit and was
especially expedient because it gave to every one
worthy Of the honor good chance to obtain il.
President Roosevelt had in mind the influence of
the cables and of the instant communication OF
intelligence to all parts of the world For the audscty
of Cyrus W. Field in perfecting the Atlantic cable
and the mystic skill of Sir William Thompson in
pcrfectins apparatus which made that cable available
brought the State Department at Washington and the
like departments of foreign governments into the
relation of next-door neighbors. Therefore, an am
bassador minister plenipotentiary really served
as very high-grade diplomatic clerk
Yet there we're some who heard President Roose-
welt make this comment, or who learned of the COM
ment after it was made, who had vivid recollection
of the extraordinary service performed at the tms
of our war with Spain by John Hay. then ambas-
sador of the Court of ST. James. The ocean cables
could have been of service in SO instructing Am
bassador Hay to place upon him the responsibility
of gaining kindly information outside of the channels
of diplomatic intercourse
In the smoking room, after the social dinner and
IN companionship with those who in high au-
thority in Great Britain, there came to Mr.. Hay in
the form of offhand chat the intmation that Great
Britain had informed France that il there were to be
an offer of Intervention or mediation carried
by the great nations of Europe to the end that the
strained relations between Spain and the United
States might be comfortably composed. il would be
essential first of all, that Russa's consent be OBJ
tanned. 1t was communicated through the smoke
of the cigars as Mr.. Hay sat in friendly companion
ship with who is in high authority in Great Bri-
tain that England knew that Russa's consent could
not be obtained.
That was informal revelation but it was of in
conceivable value to President Mckinley and his ad-
ministration.
When President Woodrow Wilson affirmed by his
signature the resolution whereby the representatives
from Chile and Argentina may hereafter be designated
as ambassadors, representatives at the courts
of these countries to be likewise distinguished he
said with cordial courtesy that in this way the friendly
relations between this country and the two great
republic in South America could be maintained and
decorative honors which are associated with the title
and prestige of ambassador are appreciated by Latin
American peoples as well as by the peoples of the
Far East.
In the early days of our republic, high diplomatic
appointment of the progressive steps toward
the Presidency Not ali those who received honors
of this kind reached the White House, but some
pursued that pathway to the Presidency. When
John Adams appeared at the court of France his
chubby cheeks. his large stern and sad eyes and
his certain dignihed msnnerisms caused France to
wonder whether he had not to that country
by way of England and after long experience. Yet
he had been originally Yankee schoolmaster and
village lawyer and his diplomatic service was but
a step away from that early training. He went to
the Vice Presidency and then to the Presidency by
way of diplomacy.
Jefferson, too, was diplomat of brilliant parts,
the wonder of France, and he went by way of
diplomacy and the Office of Secretary of State to the
James Monroe, to whose invaluable service in as
,ociation with Livingston, the United States owes
he acquisition of the Louisiana territory. naturally
became Secretary of State under James Madison and
hen, in orderly procession going to the Presidency
Martin Van Buren. after having served as min
ser the Court of ST. James by favor of President
Andrew Jackson and in spite of the opposition OF
he Senate. stepped from that service to the Office
If Vice President an Office which barren
cepter in his grasp, for he became the of
President Jackson.
James Buchanan, troubled as he was by the arti-
icial etiquette and ceremony at the Court of St
ames and annoyed that he should be compelled to
wear sword at court functions, nevertheless real
zed that his service minister at the Court of
st. James made it the more easy to obtain for him
he nomination for President in 1886
II was during Mr.. Buchanans Presidency that the
atlantic cable laid. Not since that cable flashed
Instant communication under the sea has high
diplomacy been regarded as the training school for
he Presidency;
When Thomas F. Bayard was nominated by Presi-
lent Cleveland as Ambassador at the Court of St
ames some wondered that he who had been Secre-
ary of State should have been willing to accept the
flee which the State Department had authority.
'ut Mr. Bayard knew that there good precedents
or this acceptance. James Buchanan served as Sec
efary of State before he served minister to the
'ourt of ST. James, and so also did Martin Van
,uren. /
Could President Benz amin Harrison have had his
Tay he would have been the first President to nomi-