Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-10-19
WORLD'SD|P[OMACY E.
IS CENTERED HERE.
Washington Suddenly Becomes
Most important of All the
Great Capitals.
ALL SEEK FAVOR OF u. S.

Washington, D. c., which recently
has emerged at the "top O. the world" in
finance and military preparation, also
suddenly has become a world center of
diplomacy
The fiscal importance of the United
States capital is pretty generally real
lied, because it is lending billions right
and left, and its preparedness activity is
apparent from the hustle of industrial
and military mobilization, and the pres
ence of captains of commerce and thou
sands in uniform.
But the diplomatic emergence of the
capital is not so widely appreciated by
the public, though there is evidence on
every hand that the nations of the
world realize It. 1t has not been so
long since Washington was an anomoly
TO diplomats. Accustomed to the gold
braid, extreme ceremony and secret
councils of European continental dip
lomatic negotiations. the emissaries of
the old school never did become accus-
toned to the frank, friendly off-hand,
uhguarded methods of the new world.
When the world war started Paris
diplomacy, except for the subcellar va.
riety indigenous to Berlin. After the
war started the center moved westward
to London. When America entered the
war tribute to it's new importance in
world relations was paid by the success
sive visits of the missions sent by
Great Britain. France and Italy. But
that only was a beginning.
Neutrais began to get In the game.
They had diplomatic, as we'll as eco
nomic, stakes to play. So the missions
from Norway, Belgium and other CONT
mental nations arrived in Washington
All these, however. were to be ex-
pected as compliment to the new
power in the war. and more significant
II less In the limelight, are many Of the
smaller missions that have come and
gone since that time. They pay the real
tribute to the influence in world az
fairs they know the United States to
possess!
Missions, More Missions.
Is there a dispute in Greece? Along
come missions. of picked men, to rep
resent to the United States each side
Of the question. Is there an opportun-
ity for certain racial units to become
free because of the Russian upheayal?
Along come the emissaries Of Poland.
and the other provinces, to present
their case to this country Is there diff
and Serbian ambitions? In due time
arrive Jugo-Slav mission, one of the
most recent to come, to present their
case. Even in the eyes of far away
Japan. clear around the globe, the
United States takes on a new impor-
lance in the year of 1917, and viscount
1shtf comes and goes, and behold, a sec
ond mission arrives to bring about an
even fuller understanding of the posi-
ton and feeling of Japan on world is
sues, and a closer cooperation between
this nation and the orient
These appeals to the United States
come about. diplomats state because of
the recognition of two things: The
prominent part this country will play
in peace councils. and an appreciation
of the fact that President Wilson prob
ably is the best informed man in the
world today on the underlying princi-
pies of the world war. That is not mere
compliment on their part 1t would
surprise many Americans who hold ,
their President in highest esteem to
talk for time to some Of the great
men OF other countries who have come
here. and to realize their estimate of
tho chief executives comprehension of
world problems and his Influence.
Welcomed to Conference. i
On account of all this effort members
of the missions and d"le-at,o,,- %
are still here welcomed joyously the
news that the fh nte II T.
represented at the forthcoming con-
ference Of the allied nations There /
have been signs that the United
States must forsake it's aloofness fron,
the allied councils, and at least consider
problems Of concerted action outside
the purely military field. Therefore, |
those who have tried to sow the seed
of their ideas here now see a hone Of |
their fruition. Il
Equally joyous was the welcome ac-
corded the announcement that Col |
House had been designated to collect
data to be used when the time came for
peace negotiations. Some amusement |,
was expressed at the announcement
that Col. House was not to go abroad !
in his hunt for information along geo
graphic, economic and political fines"
Early in the days of visiting mission.
at the easy approach of the America !
Reporter and his direct questions which |,
NO newspaper man in their own cow
try would have dared put to them. But |
soon the most digni6ed overcame their
prejudices They. not only talked to |
newspaper men who called upon them.
but they visited the newspaper men in |
their own club, the National Press Club. |
taiked most freely about matters OF !
state and some of the missions even |
came to the point of leaving repre- |
sentatiyes here to act virtually as press |
agents for their government and to spread |
propaganda about their war aims and |
proposed peace settlements.
Puts Into Port With Cargo Afre.
ST. THOMAS. Virgin Islands. October
1s-The 3,700-ton Danish steamship !