The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1915-07-08
when WAR COMES
How the Nations Sever Their
Diplomatic Relations.
PASSPORTS TO AMBASSADORS
The Formal Etiquette That Governs
This Ceremony and the Issuance Of
Safe Conduct Papers - Hurry and
Confusion of Enforced Departure.

1.-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 he is
accredited ON the rupture of diplomatic
relations. lies picturesque, significant
proceeding with which few of the pub
lie can be cOnversant.
When a 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
it's boundaries.
If 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 a friendly farewell; and occa-
leave taking has been Of the most pain
full character and associated with
tears.
A diplomat is not generally consid-
cred an emotional character, but hui
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 a 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. 1t
is customary for him to have a fare
we'll audience of the monarch, when
there is a 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 his 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
ton 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 his government, are de-
stroyed to prevent them miscarrying
during the journey home, or because
it is 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,
it is hardly necessary to say that II
sufficient time be allowed 20 study
document in code it can easily be
translated; hence the ACCESSIBILITY OF
these extreme precautions.
The departing envoy arranges with
the representative of neutral power
to take over such duties as are trans
ferable and then, with the officials OF
the embassy and the members OF his
family, entrains in a special train
placed at his disposal by the govern
ment whose country he. is quitting
At the port of embarkation a special
vessel TO convey him and his staff ts
also provided.
1t 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 ne 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
flag and the official name plate are ex-
ternal signs of an ambassadors en-
forced departure.
1t can be imagined what miserable
business it is for an envoy of for
eign country abruptly to bring his
mission to an 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.
However well he may be prepared In
advance for quitting the country by
sending his personal luggage and pa
pers in advance, it is In state of con-
fusion at the end that he leaves. so
hurriedly has he TO complete his ar
rangements, and, brave man though
he may be, he must always have some
anxieties as to the safety of those near
and dear to him until he is well out OF
the country. Philadelphia Inquirer.