Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-10-20
SOLDIER, MINER, DIPLOMAT
IS PRENTISS GILBERT'S CAREER
u. S. Representative at
League Discussion of Man.
churia Is Hard Worker.
Lacks Traditional "Patent.
Leather Finish" of
OfficiaIdom.
Soldier. miner, explorer. globe -trot-

Soldier. miner, explorer. globe trot-
ter college professor. diplomat.
That's the background of the 10
years of Prentiss Gilbert. now occupy
ing the international spotlight as Unit
ed States representative at the LeagIe
of Nations discussion of the Manchu-
rian imbroglio.
So far as appearances go. Mr. Gill
bert, with his stocky frame and bushy
hair, runs counter to the best standards
for diplomatic role set up by fictionists
for there is about him none of the
sleek suavity with which fiction endoWs
this species of officialdom. No patent
leather finish" as Mr. Gilbert's asso-
ciates in the State Department put it.
But a capacity and liking for q ire
mendous amount of hard work, tact
sense OF humor-these go to make uL
the equipment which has moved Mr.
Gilbert steadily upward since he chose
diplomacy as career a dozen years
ago.
Son Of a soldier. William Wallace
Gilbert. who started in the Army as q
lieutenant in the Civil War and was
retired after many years service with
the rank of lieutenant colonel, 1t was
natural for young Gilbert to follow in
his fathers footsteps. and he was only
in his teens when he campaigned in
the Philippine Instruction
AfterWard he studied in the islands
at FL Colegio de San Carlos, Cebu: won
degrees at the University Of Rochester
and at Yale. then spent the next four
years. from 1907 to 1911, in secretarial
work and as a mine superintendent
But the lure of travel was too strong
and for the next five years Mr.. Gilbert
travelled the far corners of the earth
nI1iNk chiff ond ho
directed the School of Extension Teach
ing at the University of Rochester
Rochester. N. Y. where he also was an
instructor in English.
The World War came along, and he
was once more in uniform, being sue
ceSSively a lieutenant. captain end
major on the general staff. and chief
of the combat section, Division of Mill
tary Intelligence
With his second war out Of the way,
Mr.. Gilbert entered the State Depart
ment in March, 1919. as a special as
sistant and two years later he became
chief Of the Division of Political and
Economic Information. When this was
merged into the six geographical divi-
sions into which the department is
divided. Mr. Gilbert became assistan mt
chief. Division of Western European
Affairs. There he served three years,
Until MS ability brought promotion 70
the rank Of foreign service officer in the
diplomatic service.
After a brief time as first secretary
at the embassy in Paris. Mr. Gilbert
August year ego, was transferred TO
Geneva as consul. a post of particular
Importance because of the economic
activities there of the League of Nations
Mr.. Gilbert was on the job there
when the Manchurian trouble broke:
Hugh Wilson. Minister to Geneva. was
in the United States, and Mr.. Gilbert S
friends are deriving deep satisfaction
from the fact that the Government, in
stead Of dispatching to the scene some
official of higher rank and longer ex-
perience, thought we'll enough of Mr.
cate task to him.
Mr.. Gilbert is married, but has nc