Evening star., 1932-01-03
Women of Diplomacy
Interesting Interviews With Interesting Person
ages Now in Washington.
BY PAULINE A. FREDERICK.

Great Britain should use heroaceous
plants and roses"
What have I found to be the most
difficult thing in the life of diplo-
mats wife?" Lady Lindsay repeated the
question after her listener. Il think,
without question it is the constant up
roofing and moving-the parting from
friends"
But Lady Lindsay is not a pessimist.
This was demonstrated by her next
statement.
"Of course, there is the most pleas
ant side, too" she said. Il believe that
is to be found in the opportunity one
has actually to live in a country in
stead of only touring through 1t. One
thus becomes part of lt-Sees the
best side There is the constant de-
light at making new friends, and meet
ing interesting people. 1t is all some
thing like a great adventure"
1t seemed that one who has so
gracefully assumed the difficult position
of diplomatic hostess as has Lady Lind
say would have some choice fruits Of
her experience to impart to those who
some day dream of presiding over the
social life of an embassy. Consequently,
she was asked for her advice to any
young woman who wishes to be dip
lomat'S wife some day.
First of all, she should know for
eign languages" Lady Lindsay began.
None of us Anglo-Saxons study Ian
guages. Almost every foreigner knows
English and French-they almost a.
ways know more than we do, which is
very humiliating.
In the second place. I would tell
her to become international rather
than national in her feelings"
*
American women might do well to
take some lessons from their English
sisters on certain matters. For eX-
ample, according to her excellency,
Women in England are much more
informed about public affairs than are
we in America. Many Of tfem are
deeply concerned with what is hap
pening every day in the national life
of their country.
British women have what I should
call an impersonal or professional point
of view of public affairs" she con-
tinued. ALSO they have great organiz-
ing ability"
Even before she became a citizen of
the British Empire, Lady Lindsay was
convinced of this fact She had seen
it demonstrated many times in France
during the war, where she was one of
the first two American women to go
after the entrance of the United States
into hostilities.
AT that time" she declared, II was
imressed by the fact that British wom-
en- we're doing what they were asked
to do, and not what they wanted to
do especially
Lady LindSay's war experiences were
arduous and interesting. Her first mis-
sion to France had to do with looking
into and reporting upon the need for
standardized hospital supplies and
refugee garments. When she returned
to washington, she became assistant
general manager of the Red Cross fer
a time. Then she returned to France
where she remained until July 1919,
as deputy commissioner of the Red
Cross.
The conversation turned to economic
and political questions. Lady Lindsay
is keenly aware of the tasks which are
facing her adopted country II it IS to
make a rapid recovery from the de-
preston which has been engulfng the
brighter prospects of most nations OF
the world.
Great Britain's problem is the prob
! lem of every other country today she
pointed out, that is, making two ends
meet. Of course, that means that every
! individual in the United Kingdom is
helping to bear this burden
And, of course, reduction in income
means a curtailed budget for entertain
ing at the embassy. Thus, Lady Lind
say admitted, social functions during
the last holiday season were necessarily
on a smaller scale than usual.
Her Excellency is extremely fond OF
entertaining. When she was asked Tor