The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1922-06-10
American
Diplomats
Muzzled
BY DAVID LAWRENCE
Copyright by The Intelllgencero

washtnKton, juno Sits an III wino
that blows no good-and already enough
has happened TO indicate that one OF the
unexpected effects OF the speech o,
Senator James watson. Republican OF
Indiana criticizing European diplomats
fo- speech-making on the tariff oues-
ton will be to muzzle American dtpto-
mats abroad.
For a long time the present admin
fstratton has been embarrassed by the
speech making proclivit!es OF some OF
the American ambassadors. Tho notaote
George Harvey at London mas WIN
difficulty suppressed his desires TOT eH-
preston. Significant therefore Is the
constant emphasis by high officials OF
the American government that IN ask
ing the foreign diplomats to refrain
from, discussing the tariff and other
domestic questions. the United States
IL merely asking that other govern
urents observe the same rules and IN
structfons are In effect on this subject
IN the American code for. Ambassadors
and ministers
Ambassador Harvey
Careful examination OF the printed
code reveals the fact that all speechss
by American diplomatic officers are 40
soulteiy forbidden except on "eNtraor-
dinsry festal occasions" and the INFER
ence Is that the American diplomats
Win even then confine their remarks TO
comments on the beauties OF nature ana
the wonderful opportunity that nations
have nowadays TO further the brother
hood OF man
It's difficult TO lecture an ambassador
hike George Harvey whose political IN
ruence IS multiplex and whose ability
10 express himself Is attested by long
master Of after-dinner oratory and
satire. But Il Is important to not that
even Senator Watson used in his speech
an Illustration based on the hypothesis
that Colonel Harvey might make sundry
remarks on British internal questions
The truth Is American diplomats In the
tpast have offended olmost as much as
European diplomats here and what we
are witnessing IN fast Is a return to
pre-war normal In diplomatic etiquette.
The war period broke down all rules.
Ambassadors discussed publicly ques-
lions internal and external and without
submitting cotp!es Of their remarke to
the department OF state for approval.
Ambassadors from foreign lands who
have followed in the wake Of the war
have felt the same freedom to express
themselves on postwar questions
Return TO ola Custom
Senator watson's speech and Secre-
tary Hughes conversations with foreign
diplomats, followed immediately after
a private conference between the secre-
tary OF state and Mr.. Watson. may
bring about q return 10 pre-war Gus
tom. In the present dispute emphasis.
Is laid on the tariff as an internal ques-
ton, purely domestic IN the sense that
a bin now Is pending before m Ameri-
can legislative body. Even X IL has In
ternational phases officials feel that Its
status - for the moment domestic and
speech making by foreign diplomats
cannot but be construed as an effort TO
influence American public opinion.
Collateral Phases
This will also bring up several col
lateral phases Of foreign governmental
influence IN America. II would be easy
for foreign government to tell It's
ambassador or minister here to pre-
serve the silence OF sphinx and yet
open q bureau Of information or propa-
Eanda agency for the purpose Of spread
ing It's doctrines and Ideas. Most
countries started such agencies In con-
nection with the war but some Of the
countries have kept the bureaus going
even since then. The United States
government could protest against these.
and unquestionably could secure their
withdrawal. but this would not neces-
sarily end the matter. For Il would
be an even moro simple thing for the
trade bodies and associations OF bust
ness men IN foreign countries to send
a representative to America to conduct
a campaign OF education by speech
making, publicity or otherwise and the
government IN Europe would In reality
have no direct connection with the
thing.
Possible Effects
Ambassador Ricci. Of Italy. feels hurt
BY the attitude taken by the department
OF state. and thinks his freedom OF ex-
preston has been unnecessarily
abridged. yet he could resign tomorrow
and as the former ambassador from
Italy" could make all the speeches he
wanted 10 make and probably would be
invited TO speak from one end OF the
country TO the ,other. The incident
will have many effects:
First, u will be a warning 10 Amert
cans diplomats abroad 10 keep their
powers OF public speech dormant least
they furnish a precedent for violations
on this side OF the water by European
diplomats.
second. foreign governments will seek
other ways 10 protest 10 the American
people over the heads OF the govern
nent concerning alleged injustices on
the tariff and kindred matters.
Third, the censors At the department
Of state will find themselves reading
proof on many innocuouSiy phased
speechao for months 70 coma