The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1920-02-05
Diplomatic Precedents.


conferences themselves.
Diplomatic Precedents.
Diplomacy. however. has established
some severe preCendents whereby II is
considered a diplomatic improperly Of
the first order for an ambassador or
minister accredited anywhere to enter
into communication directly with the
legislative branch OF any government
without first obtaining the permission OF
the foreign office or department OF
state.
For the mere mention OF international
politics In the United States in a letter
TO friend, which subsequently became
public. Lord Sackvlle- West, British am
hassador to the United States, was sent
home by President Cleveland. Similarly.
the Colombian chief minister to the
United States was a few years ago or
dercd home by Secretary Knox because
he said the proposed visit OF the Amer
lean secretary Of state to his country
probably would not be welcome.
remember well how the late Sir
Cecil Spring Rice, the British amhas-
sador here during the war, used to COM
plain OF the activity OF Count Won Bern
storff, the German ambassador in his
social conferences with members OF
The American congress. Sir Cecil often
held II TO have been q gross improperly
for the United States to permit Count
Won Bernstorff to stay IN Washington
because In 1919 the latter tried to in-
fluence senators TO vote against the re-
peal OF the Panama canal tolls act,
which was favored by Great Britain,
but feared by the German foreign office
as the beginning OF too good an under
standing between the United States and
England
It also is a fact that when Francois
Bouillon. chairman Of the COMMITTEES
,on foreign affairs Of the house OF depu-
ties OF the French parliament, was quot
cd IN Paris newspapers and In cables
10 America as having advocated d.
rect link between the French parlia-
ment and the Republican party in the
American senate, the United States
government made unofficial inquiry and
satisfaction was given In the form of
an official denial, which, however,
American correspondents who heard
the speech took with grain Of salt.
Europe Anxious.
But the situation IN recent months in
Washington has been one OF deep anx-
iety for European governments. Am
bassadors here could not get in touch
with President Wilson. They could visit
Secretary Lansing, but that cautious in
dividual refused to talk about the treaty
except TO say it was the presidents
business, Desperate because they could
get no satisfaction at the White House
Foreign ambassadors invited senator's 10
their homes and invariably. through the
weii-known medium of social occasion,
oiten used in Europe, the ambassadors
got line on the situation here
Strictly speaking, there is nothing H.
logical IN their course. They saw the
senate as the powerful factor in tho
situation, and they were being pressed
from European foreign offices Tor ac-
Sura.e lhIofmation as to what was hap
penlhg. Moreover they were urged to
express discreetly TO American senators
the European viewpoint and do all they
could to forward a compromise
Just how much Of this Informal din
lomauc negotiation has been revealed
70 President Wilson is not definitely
known yet While persons fond Of dip
iomatic precedent may be astunished at
the unusual course OF procedure made
inevitable by the conflict between ira |
executive and legislative branches or
our government there rs little likelihood
that the department Of state or white
House VIII stand on its rights and make |
fuss over what has happened
Unofficial Ambassadors.
There are those who think that ont
OF the present series Of incidents may |
come new precedents, namely the send |
ing or unofficial ambassadors or minis !
ters to sit in the Hobbies OF the United |
States senate and make clear the Eu. |
IopeSn VIEWPOINT This would enutle |
tae united states 10 send commits |
sioner or unofficial envoy to SIT i'm |
the house of commons or the French /
parliament with analogous privileges |
ihere are those who think laws on |
Ine statute books OF the United States |
VIII tirSt have to be repealed before |
some phases Of open diplomacy free !
interchange between citizens and gov |
ernments--can be realized L Is
question for lawyers Ia say for in |
stance, Just how far the following pro-
VISION OF the Logan act covers tho |
case:
whether actual resident or residing |