Evening star., 1934-06-17


this Summer would be an easier one.
Congress was adjourning before the
great heat waves reached us, the
President was going on cruise to
the Pacific, and the Disarmament
Conference had died.
But a nep thing developed.
Congress has giUen the President
the poUer to conclude bildterGI
commercial treaties and most for
eign countries, especially the
smaller ones, are greatly interested
in this proposition.
This means again, that Ministers
and Ambassadors will have to spend
another hot Summer in Washington.
But it is the consellors of en-
bassies and legations who are really
hurt by the presence of their chiefs
in town..
When an Ambassador takes holi-
day for 2 or 3 months, the counsellor
becomes charge d'affaires and is en-
titled to the entertaining allowance
of his chief which in some cases Is
as high as $50 a day. The counsel
lors are not expected to entertain as
lavishly as the Ambassadors. Besides
few cocktail parties diplomatic
liquor is cheap because it pays no
duty when imported in the United
States and no taxes in the country
of origin) and a few dinners in some
restaurant in the open air. most of
the money allotted for representa-
ton expenses" remains in their pock-
ct. The tariff negotiations is gip-
ping the poor counsellors of a sub
stantial income.
While the second in command'
are bitterly reSenting the presence
all the year around OF their chiefs,
real estate agents are Smacking
their lips.
Ambassadors and Ministers are
compelled to take some Summer resi-
dence in nearby Virginia or Mary
land to get away from Washington
and yet be close enough to the State
Department to be able to come into
town in an hour OF so.
At the present moment, the Soviet
Ambassador is on the lookout for
a residence in the Blue Ridge Noun
tains, the Argentine Ambassador Is
looking for a place in the hunting
district of Virginia. the Germans will
probably try and fine a Summer resi-
dence close to the town and the others,
who do not go to Newport, will have
to do the same.
WaShingtonianS need not grumble
over the hot Summer days, since they
still have the privilege of going to the
seashore during the week ends.
In most foreign countries, in
stead of enjoying a pleasant Sum
day picnic or the moDies, the
population has adopted the sport
OF prGcticing to take shelter in
case of an air raid. With the
assistance of the local authorities,
imaginary attacks occur in the
principal cities and the people don
their gas masks and rush to the
concrete shelters 1Uhich haze been
built recently practically every
Uhere
The Japanese are indulging in this
new sport more thoroughly. Re-
Gently Toxic was in darkness at night
as result of sham air attack from
airplaneS from a feet somewhere off
the southeast coast. The alarm was
given by blasts on the city's time
sirens and at once measures which
had been rehearsed street by street
during the previous week were put
into operation. In each district men,
bers of the Young Mems Association
patrolled the streets, controlled the
traffic and manned the first-aid sta
tions Anti-aircraft guns were placed
on roofs and in parks. Fire brigades,
ambulances and the young men car
ried out parts assigned to them when
an important bridge was reported de-
molished and a bank set on fire,