The Meeker herald. [volume] (Meeker, Colo.) 1885-current, 1915-03-20
WHEN war COMES
How the Nations Sever Their
Diplomatic Relations.
PASSPORTS TO AMBASSADORS

GAo0T OubS ~ UNDERGRADUATES
The Formal Etiqustts That Governs
This Ceremony and the Issuance Of
sass Conduct Papers = Hurry and
cenfusien Of Enforced Departure.
'.Tbe ambassador has been presented
with bis passports and has left the
country"
Behind this curt formula, which In
dicates the departure Of an AMBUSH
dor from the country to which lie L.
accredited on the rupture OF diplomatic
relations. lies picturesque. significant
proceeding with which few Of the pub
lie eau be c0nversant.
When foreign country declares war
1t II 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
are furnished him by the foreign Office
Of the nation whose honored guest be
has been. On the other hand. II the
initiative Is taken by the country tO
which lie Is accredited his passport In
sent to him by special messenger
An ambassador In the personal repre-
sentative Of his sovereign. and the re-
sponxibility rests with the country
among whose people he has been stay
ing to insure him \ safe passage out Of
1ts boundaries.
II the ambassador has held his POSI-
tion long and II on terms Of great cor
dtality with the foreign minister he
generally calls to express his sorrow
ut the unfortunate turn OF events and
10 take friendly farewell; and occa-
sions have been known when such
leave taking has been of the most pain
fui character and associated with
tears.
4 diplomat b not generally consid.
cred an emotional character. but hui
man nature sometimes will break
through even the bounds Of iron re-
stralnt, and ON delicate occasion. like
an ambassadors recall. the finnl part
ing Aceie With a minister whom he has
probably grown both to love and nd
mire. II Of q most affecting description.
When an envoy completes his term
OF appointment In time. VI peace. It
r customary for him to have q fare
well audience Of the monarch. when
there " delightful exchange Of COM
pliments. but this ceremony b dis
penaed with. when his recall either
vvnnnus v-ar ~,e q. . v,.at,,6a -. ems e.
forfelts then all the ofiicial cOurtesies
due to an ambassador. and the hand
ing him Ut bis passports and the In
surtng Of his safe passage out OF the
country finish his connection ofncially
with the nation.
The time In which an ambassador II
allowed to make bis preparations for
departure depends to some extent ON
his own convenience and the temper
Of the nation with which bis own ma
tion IA at war. Twenty-four to forty
eight hours may be taken a. the Pc
Rod which elapses between his recall
and his departure. and his safety
meanwhile Is secured by precautions
taken by the civil authorities. During
this tine papers Of Importance. which
have not already been delivered into
the hands Of his government. are de-
strOyed sto prevent them miscarrying
during the journey home. or because
1t y deemed more prudent that they
should be consigned to the flames rath-
Or than be taken away.
Although all the messages from his
country to an ambassador are In code.
Il r hardly necessary to say that II
suf3cient time be allowed to study q
document In code 1t can easily be
translated: hence the ACCESSIBILITY Of
these extreme precautions.
The departing envoy arranges with
the representative Of q neutral power
to take over such duties a. are trans
fesable and then, with the officials Of
the embassy and the members Of bis
family. entrains In a special train
placed at hts disposal BY the govern
ment whose country he IL quitting.
At the port Of embarkatioD q special
vessel 10 convey him and his stan 10
also provided.
Il In not absolutely necessary for
him 10 take bis wife and family with
him, hut this In usually done, for 1t IL
found they prefer to make the Journey
homewar1 at the same time, not only
for company's make. hut because the
temper of the people might make any
delay imprudeht.
Before ne leaves he usually sends au.
ongraph letters Of farewell to intimate
frseads and letters acknowledging the
courtesy shown him by foreign 0ffice
o63cials. The removal from the en-
bassy of the arms Of bis country. the
Aag and the ofiicial name plate are ex-
tsrnal signs Of an ambassadors en-
forced departure.
II can be imagined what miserable
husiness 1t In for an envoy Of for
eign country abruptly to bring bis
mission to an end. to the sound. n II
were. Of guns. and for him to con-
tSast the hearty welcome Of his arriv-