Evening star., 1922-04-23

sentation of the attitude of the Brit
ish government in the treatment Of
cablegrams, took the effective but ir-
regular course Of sending letter 'di-
facts from the British standpoint and
denying that the private information
contained in the cablegrams Of Amer
lean business concerns was being
clandestinely used for the informa-
tion Of British trade rivals.
Resented BY Executive.
Developments in that direction
were not viewed with satisfaction by
the executive branch Of the govern
ment. It was bad enough to have
senator's and representatives infiu-
enced at times in opposition to the
governments own policies by ambas-
sadors and ministers, not only in the
course Of the frequent meetings in
the many social affairs. receptions,
dinners and other entertainments
which make up the Washington sea-
son, but by the exchange Of letters
under guise OF personal communica-
that such diplomatic agents should be
permitted to deal directly with Con-
gress. That same thought smacked
too much of the days Of Citizen Genet.
who WIS expelled from America by
an indignant President for openly ad-
dressing himself to Congress- and the
American people in an e1ort to drag
the country into war with England
in the interest Of France.
The objections Of the administration
to such intercourse. therefore. are
fundamental, and the present head of
the State Department is understood
to be ready to do everything neces-
sary to stem the tide OF congressional
interference in diplomatic negotia-
tions outside Of the regular channels
controlled by the executive branch
of the government. The objection 70
these irregular communications ap-
plies not only to advances from the
Congress, but equally to moves by
congressman to mix in pending nego-
tiations by direct exchanges.
Not Q Party Matter.
1t is by no means a party matter.
either, for, as q matter. Of fact, the
Wilson administration was even more
resentful Of such practices than the
present. Soon after he assumed the
office Of Secretary Of State Mr.. Bryan
did not hesitate to administer sharp
admonition. to Senator Borah when the
latter cabled directly to the President
Of Salvador in regard. to- the attitude
Of the Salvadoran government to-
wsrd the treaty which was being me-
gotiated for the regulation Of the
rights Of Central American countries
In the construction of an interoceanic
canal across Nicaragua. President
Cleveland .sternly opposed congress
sional interference in. negotiations
with foreign nations. President Will
son almost contemptuously .spurned
such attempts. and the present. ad-
ministration Is evidently apprehen-
sive over the situation.
Probably for that reason 1t has been
deemed timely to call halt on such
proceedings; and hence the letter OF
Secretary Hughes to the President of
the Senate, pointing out that the Rus
sian ambassador IL entitled to immu-
nifty from the service Of writs by that
body, and II any question should be
raised as to the status OF MI. Bakh-
meter, as to whether or not
he is really an ambassador. 1t will be
recalled by the administration that
1t Is for the executive alone and not
Congress or the courts. to pass on
that question, as the Constitution Of
the United States, defining the presi-
Dental powers, reads: "He shall re-
ceive ambassadors and other public
ministers. 49, so,