Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-08
BLJJNDERS THE CAUSE
OF CENSURE FOR MANY
Gen. Buffers Case Not the First to Stir
: % Up People of This Country
and Abroad.
his supposed Albany utterance was

this supposed Albany utterance was
used.
Probably the most noted example of
diplomatic error known in American
history was that of Sir Lionel Sack
ville--West, once British Minister in
Washington. He came of distin-
guished British family and had had
wide experience in the diplomatic serv-
ice in many countries. He received a
letter from naturalized American, who
signed himself "Murchison," asking
what candidate for the presidency
would, If elected, be the most favorable
to Great Britain. Lord Sackville-West
recommended Grover Cleveland.
The reply was printed on october %,
1888, in the New York Tribune AS it
was written in the heat of presiden-
tial campaign, it aroused deep resent
ment Right after its publication the
Minister received his passports from
the Secretary of State. Shortly after
that he abandoned his diplomatic ca
reer.
One of the causes of strained rela-
lions which led to the Spanish-Amer-
lean War was the publication of letter
from Senior Dupuy de LONE, Spanish
Minister to Washington, and addressed
to a compatriot. In this letter aSper-
sions were cast on President Mckinley,
and the reciprocity negotiations between
Spain and the United States were de-
nounced as a sham.
German Activities Recalled.
Ambassadors and Ministers are often
led into indiscreet words and acts by
wars in which their countries are en-
gagged. DR.. Dumba, representing Aus
tria at Washington, received his pass
ports on account of alleged completely
in promoting sabotage in this country
during the World War Certain Ger
man government officials here at that
time, including DR.. Heinrich Albert,
were involved in secret operations, as
was shown by documents lost by DR..
Albert and found by agents who caused
Bernstein, the German Ambassador,
denied he was involved in any I'M
neutral activities here, there were I'M
doubtedly German secret agents who
were active here.
1t was an after-dinner speech at
club which brought Rear Admiral, then
Capt, Joseph B. Coghlan, under the
rod of reprimand. He had been in
the battle of Manila Bay and stationed
in that harbor for some months there
after. On his return to this country
he spoke at a banquet, mentioning
what he regarded as the meddlesomc
there. He quoted satiric poem about
the high handedness of the German
Emperor. It's title was "Hoch der
Kaiser" The Navy Department disap-
proved of Coghlan's speech and rep
rimanded him.
Sims Thrice Rebuked.
Rear Admiral William s. Sims was
rebuked three times for remarks con-
sidered injudicious. AS young officer
he had written some sharp criticism
of naval policy. On another occasion
he referred to an element in this
'jackaSses." In 1911, addressing the
English Speaking Union in London he
remarked: "If the time ever comes
when the British Empire is seriously
menaced by an external enemy. 1t Is
my opinion that you may count upon
every man, every dollar and every drop
of blood of your kindred across the
The fact that this naval oficer was
sustained as a prophet six years later
did not excuse him. The Navy Depart
ment was not expecting him to prophesy
or to give any assurances to foreign
power.
An Army officer caused a furry two
or three years ago when aFsahlte 70 the!
President of Haiti was not : fired
promptly from Governors Island. He
showed that a mistake had been made
in the vessel saluted and his explanation
was accepted. In the annals of the
British Army court-martials are several
cases of officers being tried and repri-
manded for not participating in national
or religious holidays at various ports,
although instructed in general way to
do So 1t was found they were following
their own religious or racial prejudiceS
and therefore pursuing an undiplomatic
course.
There have been numerous instances
OF officers publicly criticizing the Amer
lean Government. Rear Admiral Thomas
P. Magruder, for example, incurred dis
pleasure by writing disparagingly of
the Navy in a magazine. Brig. Gen.
William Mitchell was court-martialed
for similar criticism Of the aviation
service. Both of these so-called impro-
prieties, however, concerned domestic
policies and involved no offenses to
foreign powers.