Evening star., 1933-06-21
designations to Follow
Delegates Return Home

To the Editor Of The Star:
It was impossible for me to suppress
smile when read the two articles on
page 2. under the heading: Rift Seen
in U. s. Delegation" meaning. of course,
the delegation Of these United States
representing this Government at the
Economic Conference in London.
One Of the articles quoted the Morn
ing Post saying: THE American dele
cation found it expedient to deny its
own child" This British headline had
reference to q brief, said to have borne
the initials of Secretary Cordeu Hull.
conference submitted by the American
delegation, and advocating a fat 10 per
cent reduction on existing tariffs being
in effect on June IL, 1888, which was
the opening date Of the conference.
The whole affair seems to be more or
less of a repetition of the incident in
London in 1880, plainly showing again
the degree OF inconsistency. and petty
animosity which seems to run through
the ranks Of a group Of more or less
inexperienced Statesmen" who sail
forth to international conferences In
behalf Of this Government. Quickly
and with little hesitancy it was suggest
ed that the error of allowing the brief
to be made public could be attributed
to Prime Minister Collin Of the Meth
erlands, the chairman Of the Economic
Commission. However, I beg leave to
vouch for the fact that such a thing
would be impossible to expect from that
brilliant statesman, who has been in
national and international politics since
the latter part of the previous century
He has held cabinet posts since 1907,
when he was minister of war in the
cabinet headed by Prime Minister
Heemskerk. He was minister of finance
in the cabinet Of Jhr. MIR. DR.. j. Ruys
de Beerenbrouck, and at present we
ind him prime minister.
Unlike the American statesmen ~
most of whom are obtained by the
"grab-bag" system, Mr.. Collin has de-
voted his life to political science-hon-
est political science, mind you-and he
does not obliterate after four years OF
public service to his country in order
to return to private interests" He re-
mains a public servant, schooled and
trained in the ethics of political sci
ence. He does not write absurd news
paper or magazine articles, as he does
not~aSsume to be q writer, nor does he
venture into commercial schemes to
enrich his own purse; he remains sub
ject to recall at all times.
1t seems, therefore, incredible to be-
lieve that Mr.. Collin would commit
himself. or any member of his secre-
tariat, to such an unethical act.
We may lament and place all blame
on foreigners, but as far as pointing
with pride to any previous accomplish
ments Of an American delegation at
any such international conference we
can only repeat line in the LEcho de
Paris March, 1890: 1T seems that
the purpose OF this conference has
the delegates and that they are only
here to forcibly make names for them
selves and turn the conference into a
general target at which they fire their
proposals, which to be sure, find their
first light of day overShadowed by the
thickly printed names of the author Cor
authors)."
Personally, may add that in view
Of developments at London and on the
basis OF past experiences I predict a
number of designations soon after the
return OF our delegation; these resigna-
tions may be forced upon the individ-
uals. but they will be there. The rea-
son for this will be the fact that rank
ana authority are so often overlooked
by our delegates in their mad scram-
BILE for accomplishments" Advisers
and alleged experts may speak in
hushed voices when "Mr. Secretary" or
-. hush THE Ambassador" comes
strolling through the hall, but as soon
as one or the other parsonage has gone
out of sight 1t is only a signal to re-
engage in a free-for-all It Is like the
motto Of a certain automobile, ASK
the man who knows
CHARLES A. GREFE