Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-08-29
FAME AND HONOR AWAIT
FIRST WOMAN DIPLOMAT
England and America May Vie for
Distinction of Initiative in
Early Recognition.
MUST BE TRAIE BLAZER

more and more abandoned and men
have been chosen because of their
ability or peculiar fitness for the Of
fees. There has been a sincere at
tempt to make diplomacy a career for
young men. entering at the foot of the
ladder and working up to the highest
offices, as is the custom to a consider
able extent in the British diplomatic
corps, for instance.
Will the women be willing to begin
at the foot of the ladder? 1t is
reasonable to suppose that such be-
ginners must be young. 1t is un-
thinkable that they should be unat-
tractive or ugly. The unofficial infiu-
ence of women in diplomacy in the
past has been enormous. There is no
secret about that, though they have
not held official positions. In the last
century, for instance. there were
Nine De Stael, Princess Lieven and
the Baroness Won Krudener, women
who exercised a tremendous influence
in the diplomatic intrigues and ne
gracious women have presided over
many a brilliant salon in the various
capitals of the world where propa-
ganda has been spread and diplomatic
webs woven. They have played their
parts in the secret service of their
countries.
Difficulties to Be Met.
Supeese for a moment that a young
and fkractive woman has been ap-
poirSsd an attache at one of the en-
ba<@*s or legations of the United
States in a foreign capital. Will she
have to be chaperoned? Even in
these days of woman's emancipa-
ton. young women do not roam about
alone as young men do, even in this
country, and certainly not in foreign
capitals. Would it be necessary to
restrict the diplomatic representa-
tives of the women to married wom-
en- or possible widows? Or to those
of little charm and uncertain age?
Perish the thought!
1t is not difficult to conceive that
there are many women who would
like to go as ambassador or minister
plenipotentiary to foreign nations.
After all, diplomatic posts are pleas
ant socially in many instances. The
embassies and legations are visited
by men and women Of wit and talent.
corps is an open sesame to exclusive
social circles frequently. Not a few
socially ambitious wives of Americas
successful men have found it agree
able to visit the capitals of Europe
as the wives of accredited diplomats.
American ambassador, say to Paris or
the court>+of st. James, prove a
tempting bait to most any woman?
Suppose that madame the ambassa-
dress happened to have a husband.
Many attractive and able women do.
What would she do about him? Would
she take him along as an adjunct to
the embassy, or would she leave him
in peace and at work on this side of
the Atlantic? And if sne did not have
a husband, how would she arrange
those state dinners to which her fell
low members Of the diplomatic, corps
must be invited? It is difficult, some
times, to find an unattached ambassa-
dor or minister, but it would never do
to leave any Of tho wives OF the list.
Where Women Qualify.
Diplomats are supposed to know a
lot and to tell little They are sup
posed. too. to fall more or less nat
urally into two classes, those who say
little or nothing and those who say
lot but tell nothing. Language, as
famous parsonage remarked. was
given US to conceal our thoughts. A
clever woman diplomat should be a
postmaster at this game. Men have
frequently charged that women have
a positive leaning for intrigue.
But perhaps diplomacy is to undergo
a change. There is to be no more in
trigue. they say. open diplomacy"
with agreements Openly arrived at"
are phrases still fresh in the memory.
In that event are the women getting
into the game little too late?
Last year. it was thought advisable, on
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