The Meeker herald. [volume] (Meeker, Colo.) 1885-current, 1915-07-31
WHEN WAR COMES
How the Nations Sever Their
Diplomatic Relations.
PASSPORTS TO AMBASSADORS


This Ceremony and the Issuance Of
Safe Conduct Papers - Hurry and
Confusion Of Enforced Departure.
1.-The ambassador has been presentsl
with bis passports and mas 'eft t's
country
Behind this curt formula. which in.
dicates the departure Of an ambassa-
dor from the country to which he il
accredited OH the rupture Of diplomatic
relations. lies IL picturesque, significant
proceeding with which few OF the pull
lie eau he cUnversnnt.
When foreign country declares war
1t IL usual for its representative for
maliy to present this declaration. the
terms Of which are received by wire
from the foreign minister, under whose
orders he acts. and then to ask for his
passport. or safe conduct papers. which
nre furnished him by the foreign office
of the nation whose honored guest he
has been. On the other hand. II the
initiative Is taken by the country to
which lie IL accredited his passport Is
sent to him by special messenger.
An ambassador Is the personal repre-
sentative of his sovereign. and the re.
spOnsibillty rests with the country
among whose people he has been stay.
Ing to insure him n safe passage out OF
Its boundaries.
IL the ambassador has held his posi-
ton long and In on terms Of great cor
diality with the foreign minister he
generally calls to express his sorrow
at the unfortunate turn Of events and
to take Il friendly farewell: and occa-
sions have been known when such
leave taking has been OF the most pain
full character and associated with
tears.
A diplomat Is not generally consid-
cred nm emotional character. hut hu-
man nature sometimes will break
through even the bounds Of iron re-
straint. and OH delicate occasion. like
nh ambassadors recall. the final part
Ing scene with n minister whom he has
probably grown both to love aud nd.
mIre. Is Of most affecting description.
When HI envoy completes his term
Of appointment in times of peace. 1t
IL customary for him to have Il fare
well audience Of the monurch. when
there il delightful exchange Of com
pllments. but this ceremony IL dis
pensed with when his recall either
means war or Is a prelude to war. He
forfeits then all the Official c0urtesies
due to all ambassador. and the hand
Ing him Of bis passports and the in
surfing Of his safe passage out of the
country finish Ills connection officially
with the nation.
The time In which an ambassador is
allowed to make his preparations for
departure depends to some extent ON
his own convenience and the temper
Of tue. nation with which his own ma
tion Is at war. Twenty-four to forty
eight hours may be taken as the pc
riod which elapses between his recall
and his departure. and his safety
meanwhile is secured by precautions
taken by the civil authorities. During
this time papers Of importance. which
have not already been delivered into
the hands Of bis government, are de-
strOyed to prevent them miscarrying
during the journey home. or because
1t Ia deemed more prudent that they
should be consigned to the flames rath-
er than be taken away.
Although all the messages from his
country to an ambassador are in code,
1t IL hardly necessary to say that II
sufficient time be allowed to study
document In code it can easily be
translated: hence the advisabillty Of
these extreme precautions.
The departing envoy arranges with
the representative of neutral power
to tnke over such duties as ure trans.
ferabe and then. with the officials OF
the embassy md the members OF his
family. entraIns in special train
placed at his disposal by the govern
ment whose country he ia quitting.
At the port Of embarkation a special
vessel to convey him and his stan is
also provided.
1t Is not absolutely necessary for
him 10 take his wife and family with
him, but this is usually done, for 1t Is
found they prefer to make the journey
hOmewnrd ut the same time, not only
for company's sake. but because the
temper Of the people might make any
delay imprudent.
Before lie leaves be usually sends au-
.ograpb letters Of farewell to intimate
friends and letters acknowledging the
courtesy shown him by foreign Office
officials. The removal from the en-
bassy of the arms Of his country, the
Rag and the Official name plate are ex-
ternal signs Of an ambassadors en-
forced departure.
1t can ,e imagined what n misera Bile
business II IL for an envoy of n for
cigD country abruptly 10 bring his
mission to IN end. to the sound. as 1t
were. Of guns. and for him to con
trast the hearty welcome Of his arr1v.
al with the unpleasant and menacing
looks on his departure