The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-12-31
HERRICK'S RECALL
ERROR, SAYS WHITE
Chagrined France In Day Of
Peril, Asserts Former En-.
v0y to Paris.
TOO MANY y. {. DIPLOMATS

wAsRiN0roN. Dec. So.-Henry White.
former Ambassador to France. who
served the United States abroad for
twenty-five years. made = strong plea
for the elimination Of partisan politics
from the American diplomatic service In
An address before the National Historical
Society tonight.
ct 10 the system hitherfore acquicsced
In by the public opinion of this country
In Its ignorance Of and indifference to
the Importance Of our foreign relations
to the ratsOn's welfare that I am criti-
csins. and not the shortcomings of this
or n p~reviows Administration" said
Mr.. White. The system under which
Ambassadors nj Ministers are APP
pointed regardless Of any previously
known fitness for their posts and after
having acquired a certain amount Of
experience In their duties. occasionally
also some knowledge Of the language Of
the country In which they happen to be
representing the United States. are ~
called upon the accession to ONCE OF .
now President"
Mr.. White showed how the American
system had compelled the recall Of Am
oassador Aerrick from Paris. He said
that the continuance Of Mr.. Herrick at
Paris would have caused mot unnat-
urally a positive stencil In the nostrils
OF many good Democrats particularly
Of Mr.. Herrick's W State Of Ohio. He
was recalled and another gentleman Of
no previously. known qualifications for
diplomacy was appointed by the President
and confirmed by the Senate"
But HE successor having beer ap-
pointed" Mr.. White said. under our
pernicious system OF changing Ambassa-
dors with U Presidents and for Do
nucal reasons at home rNther than for
the good Of the nation abroad. MI. Her.
rick had to come home to the consterna-
ton and profound chagrin OF the French
nation. There 10 no man In all America
who could ave nlled at that time the
place which Mr.. Herrick occupied in the
confidence and affection Of the French
people and there 10 no way In which we
could more effectively have expressed
ohicisly our lack Of sympathy with them
at q time Of great national anxiety and
tribulation h q BY his recall.
Il do not wish to be understood as
advocating the appointment OF our Am
bassadors from our own trained service.
but that none Of thep be removed at the
moment OF a change OF President unless
for some very serious non-partisan rea-
sons"
Mr.. White showed by comparison how
the European countries keep their trained
diplomats In service. He said thai dur
Ing the nifty years since the civil wal
there have been eight Ministers or Am.
bassadors from Great Britain to the
United States. or these two died here.
During the same time we have had at
London fifteen Ministers and Ambassa.
doris. or within one OF twice as many as
the British Government has sent to us.
Mr.. White also pointed out that In
this fifty year period Great Britain has
rad but six Ambassadors at Paris. one
u whom. Lord Lyons. served twenty
years there. He added that since Am
Oassador Jusserand came 10 this country
in 1908 the United States mas sent xix
Ambassadors to Paris.
Mr. White added that the case Of
switzerland is still more striking. since
1881" he said. there have been but
six Ministers from that country 10 the
United States and VI nave sent fifteen
to switzerland"