The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-05-31
THE DISMISSAL
 OF DIPL OMATS

In view of the possible breaking off of diplomatic relations between the United States and Germany, it is inter esting to recall past Instances in which diplomats accredited to Washington have become obnoxious to Uncle Sam and have been given their passports. In most of these cases the offending diplomat was alone involved, and his dismissal did not involve any disagree ment with the government he repre- sented.
 The first of the foreign diplomats to arouse Uncle Sans ire was Citizen Edmond Charles Genest, who was sent to Washington as the minister of re- publican France He arrived at Char 1eston in April, 17S3, and before he proceeded to Philadelphia to present his credentials he fitted out two pri- vateers at Charleston to prey on Brit ish commerce. One of these vessels captured an English merchantmen and took it into Philadelphia. Citizen Genest arrived by land few days la ter and was greeted by the roaring of cannon and the ringing of church bells, while thousands of citizens of the Quaker City wildly appIauded him.
 Genesis first interview with Wash in gton was not at all to his liking, and he publicly accused the American president of entertaining aristocratic notions His outraged feelings were 
 honor by prominent Philadelphia radi- calls. This affair was held just 123 years ago this week. The red cap of revolution was placed first his head and then in turn that of each of the guests. During the dinner roast ed pig was given the name of the French king and then passed around the table, each person present p1ung- ing his knife into the s'tyrant."
 While Philadelphians were thus en- tertaining the Citizen, the government took action that further incensed Ge- nest. The captured merchantmen was restored to it's owners, and the French privateers were ordered out of Ameri- can waters, while the collectors of ports were instructed to seize all such vessels if they did not. immediately clear out. Jefferson, as Secretary of State, had given GeneSt a cordial well come, but he took a firm stand in up- holding the laws of nations in regard to the actions of priyateers. At this Genest threatened to appeal from the President to the people, and a. num- Der of American newspapers sustain ed him in his stand. When at last Genest openly defied the mandates of the government and fitted out a priva- teer at Philadelphia, the French gov ernment was informed that the defiant Citizen had outlived his usefulness in the United States, and in July he re- urea 1TOI1 lnS spot or fTencn In1n- ister. He did not retrun to France, however, but became a naturalized cit izen of the United States, and married a daughter of Governor George Clin- ton. Upon her death he married an other American woman, the daughter of MT. Osgood, the first postmaster general Genest spent his datter years as a, famre, and died in Schodak, N. Y., in 1884.
 The next incident of this kind con- cerned the Marquis de Casa Yrujo, the Spanish minister to the United States in the early part of the nineteenth cen tury. He attempted to bribe the edi- tor of Philadelphia newspaper to fa- vor Spain in a controversy with the United States. As result of this the Marquis returned to Madrid in 1895. Heres your hat-what's your hur- ry?" said Uncle.
 Francis James Jackson, who became British minister at Washington in 1909 was the next figure in such an episode. From the first Jackson manifested great contempt for the people and in- stitutions of America. and the Secre- Ataxx oS State refused to have any fur