The midland journal., 1915-05-14
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.
''The ambassador has been presented
with his passports and has left the
country
Behind this curt formula. which in
dicates the departure OF an ambassa-
dor from the country to which be is
accredited on the rupture of diplomatic
relations. lies picturesque, significant
proceeding with which few of the pub
tic can be conyerSant.
When foreign country declares war
it is usual for its representative for
mally 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
are furnished him by the foreign office
of the nation whose honored guest he
has been. On the. other hand, If the
initiative is taken by the country to
which he is accredited his passport is
sent TO him by special messenger.
An ambassador is the personal repre-
sentative of his sovereign. and the re-
spOnsibility rests with the country
among whose people he has been stay
ing to insure him safe passage out OF
its boundaries.
II the ambassador has held his posi-
ton long and is 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 friendly FAREWELL, and occa-
sionS have been known when such
Aleave taking has been of the most pain
pful character and associated with
tears.
A diplomat is not generally consid-
cred an emotional character, but hu-
man nature sometimes will break
through even the bounds of iron re-
straint. and on delicate occasion, like
an ambassadors recall. the final part
ing scene with minister whom he has
probably grown both to love and ad-
mire. is Of a most affecting description.
When an envoy completes his term
of appointment in times Of peace, It
Is customary for him to have a fare
well audience of the monarch, when
there is delightful exchange Of COM
pliments, but this ceremony is dis
pensed with when his recall either
means war or Is a prelude to war. He
forfeits then all the official courtesies
due to an ambassador, and the hand
ing him Of his passports and the in
surfing of bis safe passage out of the
country finish his 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 the nation with which his own ma
tion IL 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 his government, are de-
strOyed to prevent them miscarrying
during the journey home, or because
1t Is deemed more prudent that they
should be consigned to the flames rath-
rerrthan be taken away.
Although all the messages from his
country to an ambassador are In code,
It is hardly necessary to say that If
sufficient time be allowed to study a
document in code it can easily be-
translated: hence the advisability Of
these extreme precautions.
The departing envoy arrangeS with
the representative of a neutral power
TO take over such duties as are trans
ferahle and then. with the officials of
the embassy and the members of his
family. entrains in a special train
placed at bis disposal by the govern
ment whose country he is quitting.
At the port of embarkation a special
vessel to convey him and his staff is
also provided.
Ii is not absolutely necessary for
him to take his wife and family with
him, but this is usually done, for it is
found they prefer to make the journey
homeward at the same time, not only
for company's sake, but because the.
temper OF the people might make any
delay imprudent.
Before he leaves he usually sends au-
tograph 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
Dag and the official name plate are ex-
ternal signs Of an ambassadors en-
forced departure
1t can be imagined what a miserable
business 1t Is for an envoy of a for
elgn country abruptly to bring his
mission to an end, to the sound, as II
were. of guns. and for him to con-
trast the hearty welcome Of his arriv-
al with the unpleasant and menacing
looks on his departure.
u 4. T..