Evening star., 1936-07-10
MRS. OWENS CASE
PUZZLES OFFICIALS.
"Promotion" to Some Other
Country After Marriage
Seen Likely.
BY WILL p, KENNEDY.

The approaching marriage Of the
first women to be appointed to diplo-
matte post is causing furore in the
State Department, although it has
been announced that it rests with
the President and with Mrs. Ruth
Bryan Owen herself whether she will
continue to serve as American Min
lister to Denmark after her marriage
to Boerge Rhode, captain of the body
guard of King Christian of Denmark
and honorary gentleman groom to the
monarch.
The opinion is expressed that, in
view of her coming back to the United
States to help campaign for the re-
election of President Roosevelt, she
is likely to be rewarded by promo
ton to some other post where her
marital relations would not conflict
with time -honored State Depart
ment policies.
The furry among veterans in the
State Department over the approach
Ing marriage OF the daughter of the
late William Jennings Bryan is akin
to that stirred up by The Great
Commoner" himself when, as Secre-
tary Of State in the Wilson cabinet,
he undertook TO inject more democ-
racy into his portfolio. There is some
thing in the Bryan blood that stirs
up controversy and creates "situa-
tions."
Officials Hold Silence.
Veterans of the State Department,
who, year in and yearsout, adhere
to precedents religiously. are silent on
the prospective marriage. Neverthe-
less they admit a new situation con-
fronts them that may force them to
abandon many policies in the depart
ment that have come to be unwritten
law as to personnel.
While ambassadors and ministers.
OF which there are some As represent
ing the United States abroad, are
nominated by the President, the Sen
ate has the prerogative, under the
Constitution, of confirmation. Few
instances have arisen in which an
envoy to foreign government, Sc
lected by the President. has been re-
jected by the Senate, owing to the
extreme care exercised in making a
| choice. Even before the name Of an
envoy Is sent to the Senate for con-
flrmation. the State Department SUBJ
mits the name Of the person to the
foreign power with a biographical
sketch, to ascertain if the person will
be persona grata.
Records Examined.
But before this process the pros
pectiVe ENJOYS record is closely
checked as a rule as to his family
connections, at home and abroad to
ascertain If he or she is free Of for
eign contacts as to family or property
that might cause embarrassment. In
this connection, the State Depart
ment has been especially careful in
ascertalning whether person sent
to country has relatives there who
are kinsmen Of people in political
life. and especially whether they
themselves. their friends or relatives,
own property with which the ap-
pointee might have to deal in pro-
tecting American interests.
Many instances have been known
in which young consuls and diplo-
| matte secretaries have married abroad,
but it is well kown that they have
paid for this by being shifted as far
away from the wife's native land as
possible.
Instances OF an ambassador or
minister marrying a native of a coun-
try to which he has been assigned
are rare, and in this respect Mrs.
Owen has set as decided a prece-
dent as she did in obtaining her ap-
pointment to Copenhagen.
It is admitted, however, at the
State Department. that Mrs. Owens
case is without parallel in the diplo-
matte history of any country. In
her case, she is to wed one of the
Kings official household, fgura-
lively speaking, and the question
naturally arises-does Mrs. Owen be-
come member of Capt. Rhode s
household and in effect that of the
King, or does Capt Rhode become
a member Of that If the Minister?
The obvious and easiest solution is
to give Mrs. Owen some sort of a
promotion" to some other country
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