Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-06-04

A very general feeling that foreign
diplomats should be free from annoy
ance and criticism in the immunity of
their Washington homes from domestic
| laws is disclosed by recent newspaper
discussion OF the embassy liquor prob
lem. The informal suggestion of Sir
Esme Howard that he gladly would con-
form to any practice proposed by the
American Government is viewed by
many observers as merely a fine piece of
courtesy characteristic of the British
Ambassador.
Unless an ambassadors residence is
| considered the territory of the country
he represents" says the Springfield,
| Ohio, Sun, maintenance of diplomatic
relations would be endangered. The i'm
munity which diplomacy carries is not
nearly so much of courtesy to the
stranger within nations gates as it is
necessity. For ages the laws and GUS
toms Of various countries have differed
SO widely that q diplomat was likely to
run afoul of some local law without the
slightest intention. If he did not enjoy
immunity he might be called upon to
make personal sacrifice, change his hab-
its or adapt himself to such an extent
to foreign customs as to make life in
tolerable in q foreign country"
In opposition to this point of view is
the statement Of the Raleigh News and
Observer: THE comfy between nations
should have caused the diplomats to &C
cept the law when passed, but the fine
spirit OF Sir ESme Howard shows that
there is willingness to live under the
same regulations as govern Americans.
The spectacle of trucks hauling liquor
10 embassies when 1t is a crime to have
1t elsewhere is one which cannot come
to an end too soon"
The Hamilton, Ontario, Spectator.
however, viewing the suggestion of Sir
ESme Howard as, "of course, only per-
| sonal offer, in which the British gov
eminent is not involved, declares that
tne incident proves at least one
thlng-the anxiety of the British AM
oasSador to conform In every particular
with the desires of the United States
Mail also points out that Sir Esme
can forego serving liquor If he chooses,
| but ne cannot thereby change the right
OF the members of the British legation
TO serve liquors in the future, provided
his successor chose to do it. He would
| simply be foregoing the exercise of an
international right, not abrogating it,"
He sets good example," as viewed
by the Spokane Spokesman-RevieW, ito
ONN@AS
| say nothing OF social clubs and other
| groups inclined to honor the law more
in the breach than in the observance. "
I'VE feel sorry" remarks the Balti-
| more Sun, "for those ENJOYS who will
| be torn between the necessities of re-
naming polite to the land and its laws
| and of protecting an important princi-
| pie of international significance. 1t Is
! the height of bad taste thus to put
iTNtn MI x1,ho
whaever they say or do will be open
| to somebody's criticism. Moreover, it
| has the host feeling quite as decidedly
uncomfortable as the guests"
ITO attempt to make them conform
to our ways in unessential things" in
| the Judgment of the Newark Evening
News, lis bad manners and destructive
of the spirit of comfy and hospitality
| upon which diplomatic representation
rests. President Hoover has
called prohibition an experiment. To
set up a practice that is experimental
| as a standard of social conduct to
which official guests of the country
| should conform Is not only boorish, but
also sets a precedent which might
easily plague us" The Ann Arbor
1.-The diplomats might help to solve one
Of the problems of prohibition If they
would cooperate voluntarily with
Uncle Sam. but the cooperation should
not be asked"
| X X X
1.-THE prohibition situation must puzzle
members Of foreign legations. who re-
gard wine much as we regard coffee"
the Columbus Ohio State Journal OBJ
serves. This question of their right to
have their wine is raised and agitated
and then some American friend invites
them To a marty and serves hard linllor
We trust they have Q sense Of hurnor.