Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-09-11
HANDING THE HAT TO DIPLOMATS
The Manner of 1t Is According the Book but Varies Accord
ing Cases - Instances in American History Before
Dumba Meddled in Our Own Business
By LUKE GUARDIAN

COME diplomats, so called, having become
~ persona non grata," take their depart
ure gracefully under the guise of leave OF
absence. and others have their walking
papers forced upon them Cases alter the
circumstances
Dumba is by no means the first representa-
tive Of a foreign government at Washington
to be told that his absence would be more
desirable than his presence. There have been
about dozen offenders of ministerial or
ambassadorial rank who have gone home un-
der color of being sent. The recall of diplo-
mats, on complaint, has likewise applied to
a few American representatives In posts
abroad.
No Time to Farley
"It is an accepted rule of diplomatic usage"
says Foster, that every government has the
right to determine for itself the acceptability
of an envoy accredited to 1t, and that IL his
government does not recall him upon re-
quest the government to which he is un-
acceptable may dismiss him" Ordinarily,
a mere request is deemed sufficient but
sometimes the government of the offending
diplomat refuses to act unt1 satisfactory
evidence has been submitted. II Is the usual
practice of the complainant to assign rea-
sons. which is different from submitting evil
dence.
OF particular interest at this time, by
reason of certain attending circumstances, is
the case Of SaclIville- West This case in
volved a foreign envoy's intervention in the
domestic policies OF the United States
Sackville-Wes was British Minister at
Washington during the Presidential cam
paign of 1883. The difficulty arose over his
reply to letter, marked private, in which
A.. ,gN
naturalized citizen of British birth, asked
the Minister for advice on how to vote The
reply was published in the newspapers. Re-
lations between America and Great Britain
formed the subject of much Of the political
talk of the day. The Minister. in his letter.
suggested that President Clevelands election
would be likely to promote British interests
In subsequent interviews he made a bad
matter worse by indiscreet statements.
Secretary of State Bayard cabled to Mr.
Phelps our minister at London, saying that
Sackville- West had shown him the letter and
that In newspaper interviews the British
envoy had been reported to have gravely
reflected upon the motives of the President
and the Senate as regards their action touch
ing pending questions relative to Canada"
Mr. Bayard continued: THE Government of
the United States cannot be Indifferent to
any interference in domestic issues by for
eign representatives. Mr.. Phelps will ac-
cordingly invite Lord Salisbury's attention
to the occurrence and express the confident
reliance of this Government upon the action
Of Her Majesty's Government in the prem
ises." Lord Salisbury declined 20 act until
he had received his Minister'S explanation.
There was considerable further correspond-
ence on the subject but In the meantime
Saclkville was handed his passports. He re-
turned to England and retired 10 private
life, the incident having destroyed his use
fulness, in the opinion of his own Govern
ment, as a member of the diplomatic service.
The British press expressed itself causticany
on the matter the Thunderer, in a long
editorial, declaring that "a more ridiculous
spectacle has rarely been witnessed In anv
civilized country than the hurried and un-
mannerly haste with which the Government
OF President Cleveland has endeavored 10
put a slight on this country obviously for
electioneering purposes. before her Matesty's
ministers could deal one way or the other
with the alleged indiscretion OF the British
representative at Washington"
Violation Of Neutrality
An earlier instance of the promptness with
which the American Government has seen
NJ TO act where long delay was promised by
the failure OF a foreign government to take
action Is the dismissal OF the British Min
lister. Champion, in 1865 Champion ana sew
erai consuls violated the neutrality laws IN
securing enlistments for the Crimean War
On the refusal Of the British Government
TO take action until Champion had been
given an opportunity to vindicate his con-
duct, the Minister was handed his passports
In both the preceding cases. IL should be
observed. reasons were assigned for the
American protest. When Blaine was secre-
tary Of State he was informed BY Chill that
our Minister in Santiago was persona non
erata-" Chill asked that Mr.. Eean be there
fore recalled. ana remarked that she had the
riEht % make such Z request Secretary