Evening star., 1933-11-12
American Diplomacy Around Russia
BY FREDERIC J. HASKIN.

| When American diplomatic relations
are opened with the Soviet Union.
marking resumption of relations with
the Russian nation after a lapse of
fifteen years, the United States will be
served by career men of the Foreign
Service and not by political appointees.
FOR many months preparations have
been made for the resumption of rela-
tions. While President Hoover was
sternly opposed to recognition of the
Soviet regime he was aware that, at
some time, break In the situation
would occur and he began hemming in
Russia with career diplomats. Presi-
dent Roosevelt, fully appreciative of the
need for nicely in dealing with many
vexed questions, has not disturbed the
policy.
Career diplomats are not presumed to
have any particular domestic politics,
but 1t Is likely that the men who will
have most to do with handling Russian
affairs for the United States will lean
more strongly to the Republican than
the Democratic side. That Is of little
or no Importance In the Foreign Serv-
ice The vital fact of interest to the
American people today is that the deli
cate matter Of rehabilitating relations
with the Russian people will be in the
skilled specialists in Russian and Far
Eastern affairs the Nation possesses.
Around the Department of State it is
practically assumed that the first Amer
ican Ambassador to the Soviet will be
John Van Antwerp MacMurray, who
now occupies the relatively insignificant
post Of Minister to the Baltic succession
states. These little countries of Es-
thonia. Latvfa and Lithuania are scarce
IV knnUn fn Ayoo
regarded Of so little Importance that
one Minister Is appointed for all three.
But one needs to look beneath the
surface to understand just what is hap
pening. In 1880 Mr.. MacMurray re-
tired from the American diplomatic
service. He had finished his public
career after having been connected
with the State Department since his
first appointment, in 1907, as secretary
Of legation and consul general at Bang
kok, Siam. That career had included
some notable posts. He had been secre-
tary Of embassy at ST. Petersburg in
Division of Near Eastern Affairs in the
State Department here, had been secre-
tary Of legation at Peking and counsel
lor of embassy at Toxic.
Excellent Preparation for Post.
During the Conference on the Limita-
tion Of Armaments he was assigned to
special duties in charge Of Pacific and
Far Eastern affairs. He was American
observer in the Sino-Japanese negotia-
tions over the Shantung question; was
Assistant Secretary of State and con-
tinued in various capacities such as the
conclusion Of the treaty with Esthonia. |
Finally, upon his resignation in 1880 he |
took the post of director of the Walter |
Hines Page School Of International Re-
lations Of Johns Hopkins University
This was the man called from the |
relative quiet of scholastic duties by |
President Roosevelt to stand by for Rus
sian developments. The land of the |
Soviets is just over the border from |
Esthonia, Latvia and Lithuania. The |
capitals of these countries make ideal |
observation posts for the individual who |
expects shortly to undertake the re-
sponsibility Of representing his nation
at the troubled capital of one of the !