Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-05-25
Foreign ENJOYS Regarded as
Occupying Own Soil and
Immune Under Law.
PRESIDENT TO STUDY
LETTER OF SIR ESME
British Ambassadors Offer of
Waving Privilege Had Been
Sent Him by virginian.
BY FREDERIC WILLIAM VILE.

1t can be stated on high authority
that the Hoover administration is not
minded to suggest that the foreign dip
lomatic corps in Washington take to
the water wagon. The view prevalent
at the White House and State De-
partment is that Ambassa dors and Min
listers accredited TO the United States
are occupants of home soil'; i. E.. the
territory of their own respective coun-
tries. AS such, officials hold that the
foreign ENJOYS are entitled to mode
their conduct and habits on their resi-.
dental premises strictly according tc
their own wishes. They are looked
upon, in other words, as masters il,
their own houses.
The question, which has again become
current because of letter written By
Sir Esnae Howard. the British Ambassa.
dor, to Virginia prohibitionist, wa:
brought to the forefront early in Apri
by developments in high Washington
society circles. A famous host anc
hostess had Just astonished the thirsty
natives by serving a bone-dry Easter
family's history.
willingness to Conform.
Occasion was thereupon taken to as
certain whether the Washington diplo'
matte corps, which constitutes one o.
the Capitals most exclusive social sets
would follow the lead given by the
household in question. 1t developed tha
leaders of the corps were prepared tc
submit the suggestion to their colleague!
for consideration and decision.
Authorized spokesmen OF the ENJOYS
group said they believed many of theil
confreres would glady quit serving liquor
at public functions if hint, requesting
them to do so were to emanate from
some responsible American quarters. II
was intimated, at the same time, thai
the diplomatic corps is far from belne
a unit on the question. Some members
say outright they would continue tt
live according to their own customs, nj
matter If the American Government
should ask them to do otherwise-un
less, of course, a law were passed with
drawing diplomats lquor-exportini
privileges.
The custom of continuing to ALLOW
foreign envoys to bring alcoholic bever'
ages into the United States, despite thu
eighteenth amendment and the Vol.
stead act. rests on the century-old
extra territorial privileges accorded of1-
cial foreigners on our soil. Our owr
enissaries abroad-Ambassador anc
Ministers-enioy corresponding priv
ileges in the countries where they are
on duty.
Import Privilege Question.
They are not subject to tariff laws
lust as diplomatic folk coming into
the United States are not required to
pay duty on things they care to bring
into this country.
When Uncle Sam adopted prohibi-
ton. the question of making the diplo-
matte corps abandon its import privi-
lego, as far as drinkableS are concerned,
was agitated and in many quarters was
vigorously advocated. But there appears
to be no sentiment in Washington at
present in favor of depriving the en-
voys of their ancient right to slake their
thirsts with the wines land whlskles)
of their respective countries.
1t has been suggested, as compro-
mise proposition. that the diplomatic
corps might be induced, as a gesture
to dry America" to serve no liquor at
larger affairs like formal 1uncheons,
dinners and receptions, and conf1ne the
dispensing of drinks to their own pri-
vate tables. The diplomats attitude
toward this proposal as one of them put
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