Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-12-11
BY FREDERIC WILLIAM VILE.

M Senators and Representa-
/" tives-who were abroad this
year found officers of the
American foreign service
Considerate, respectful helpful ana ell
fective. Here and there an exception
was encountered by them, but the
sweeping generalities of inefiiclency
and contemptuous conduct IN when
Representative Gallivan. Democrat.
INDUCED in the House on December
are not verified by the experiences
which most Congressman had.
Senator Joseph T. Robinson of Ar
kansas, Democratic minority leader IN
the Senate and member of the foreign
relations committee, recently returned
from an extensive tour through Cen
trail and South America. Every
where" said Senator Robinson TO
this writer, Il received the most
courteous consideration and respectful
assistance"
Wheeler Well Received.
Senator Burton X. Wheeler, Demo
crat. of Montana toured the Far East
during the Summer. II don't know
what other members of Congress have
run into abroad" said Senator
Wheeler. "but in no consulate. lega-
ton or embassy that l visited on the
other side of the globe was anything
offered except a fine spirit of cooper
alton, hospitality and genuine Amerl'
canism" Representative j. Charles
Linthicum. Democrat, of Maryland,
ranking member of the House tot-
eign affairs committee, visited Great
Britain, France, Italy and Switzerland
during the congressional recess. Mr..
Linthicum thought the atmosphere at
the Paris embassy was somewhat
frigid in the absence of Ambas sador
Herrick, but elsewhere the Marylander
was met with gratifying welcomes.
''In many places" Representative
Linthicum said, our diplomatic ana
consular officials went out of their
way to be nice. At no point did re-
ceive the impression that they are not
filling their jobs as the people at home
would expect them TO do"
This writer looks back upon an ex-
perience of many years in Europe, be-
fore, during and since the war lie
has had professional relations with
our foreign service people all over the
Old World. Fresh in his mind, too,
are equally extensive contacts with
the grand army of American tourists
congressional and otherwise--who an
nualIy descend upon TRANSATLANTIC
shores. The number ana variety oi
favors that our globe-trotting frater-
nifty is accustomed TO ask at United
States embassies, legations and con-
sulates are almost unimaginable.
Attitude of Travellers.
The average Yankee traveller over
seas looks upon Uncle Sans official
establishments very much as he looks
upon his own home or Office in this
country He proceeds to spread him
self correspondingly He considers that
foreign service men are there pri-
rnarily to serve his immediate require
ments, and these are often of weird
character. Audiences with crowned
heads are facilities" which the tourist
folk are especially fond of demanding.
They are amazingly receptive as to
personal hospitality in the form of
food and drink. and ofttimes expect 1t
as a matter of course. Certain mem
hers of Congress, grown up on the
iunketing system, are frequent candi-
dates for that sort of attention at the
hands of diplomatic and consular Off
GERS. The gentlemen from Capitol
Hill always cross the ocean armed
with credentials from the Secretary of
state. These are more or less stereo-
typed, but Congressman land their
families) are bitterly disappointed as