Evening star., 1921-10-09
BY JAMES A. BUCHANAN.

IN HE pathway Of q diplomats
life is seldom, II ever, strewn
with roses. It is q vocation,
or profession, If you desire to
so name 1t, which calls for the great
est combination of talents possible.
Diplomats are born and not made.
and while it is true that there have
been striking exceptions now and
then, one generally finds that the
more successful representatives at
foreign courts are men whose an
cestors either served at one time in
the diplomatic corps or were prom
inent in political matters that affect
ed the country Of their birth. Or
course now and then there springs
into prominence over night some man
whose ancestors played but little part
in the affairs of his country. but
in the diplomatic sea, and still very
often q close study Of the family will
show that some relative, either near
or remote, was interested In national
politics, If not in international affairs.
The popular conception of a. diplo-
yidual whose chief function in life
appears to be present at official teas,
dansantes or dinnerS-a man who Is
rather much of a social butterfly.
This conception is. however, errone-
Gus, for the average diplomat is q
while it is true that he is always
properly attired and is seen at func-
tions Of an official or semi official
nature, there are many hours When
he is busily engaged In the material
things that vitality interest the coun-
try he represents:
Not counting the diplomatic ques-
tions of stellar magnitude, there are
q thousand and one matters that
come up each week that must receive
his immediate attention. While ques-
tions that affect the direct political
relations between the countries are
written about and occupy prominent
positions in the news of the day,
there are many problems of COM
mercial nature that must be passed
upon by the man who represents his
country in Washington. The diplo-
mat must not only be skilled in mat
ters Of international law and the
finer arts Of diplomacy, but he must
also have a most comprehensive
grasp Of commercial life. He must
be able to mentally translate from
dollars into francs. pesos, lire or
pounds just what this. that or the
other commercial phase will mean to
his country. He must steer course
through the troubled waters of COM
merce that will not only protect his
own country but will please other
nations with which the nation he rep
resents has commercial relations.
Should he give to the country in
which he is stationed q decided COM
mercial advantage, he at once Of
fends the other nations Of the world.
He must get the viewpoint Of the
people where he resides; he must
measure it against the wishes Of his
people; he must smooth every road
30 that the diplomatic chariot which
he is driving will encounter no severe
jolts on its journey to the goal of
successful achievement
AS one can readily see, the life Of q
diplomat is not bed Of roses, even II
the country he represents is recog-
nized as being not only q stable but q
friendly government. When the ma
tion is not recognised by the United
states the task before the diplomat Is
one that calls for the greatest amount
of skill. Lack Of official recognition
Is a most serious handicap.
One Of the most striking examples
Of what q young diplomat can accom-
plish for his country, even when that
nations present government has not
been recognized, is that Of Senior Don