The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1936-12-24
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National Topics Interpreted - TTTTTTT&
by William Bruckart ASasII1f
by William Bruckart

American born Wallis Warfield
Simpson. 1t simply happened to
come along at the same time, but
since all the world loves a loves,
in Washington one hears reference
to the Simpson-Edward affair men,
toned many times in the same
breath with the State department
decree. This obtains because nearly
all of our foreign service people have
relations or friends in the ma
tional capital and the decree for
bidding international marriages set
many tongues to wagging.
But the State department ruling
ought to be treated with utmost
seriousness and sincerity. 1t is i'm
portant. 1t is necessary to stretch
the imagination a great way in or
der to assume that international
marriages of the type banned by
the State department would "shake
an empire" after the manner Of
international marriages among roy
atty. On the other hand, it seems to
me to be quite fair to say that in
ternational marriages among Off
cial Representatives of a nation can
very easily prove embarrassing to
the government by which the for
eign service officer receives creden-
tials. In fact, there are instances
on record where such marriages
have proved to be serious obstacles
in the settlement of disputes be-
tween governments.
Then, it must be considered that
there is genuine possibility of
war in Europe in the next few years.
A tremendous tragedy is being pre-
pared there. While obviously any
governmental decision that has the
effect of keeping lovers apart
arouses antagonism, sympathetic
feeling among all with tender hearts,
in this circumstance, the rule seems
well justified. In addition to follow
ing the lead of other nations on the
point, our State department has
banned these international mar
riages largely in order to keep our
nation free from any possible en-
tanglementS in event of that Eu-
ropean tragedy that looms like red
fire on the horizon of the future.
Marriages heretofore contracted, of
course, will not be disturbed
by the new ban, but elimination of
that source of potential difficulty
for the future is regarded as likely
to be valuable.
I have heard criticism of the
State departments order on the
ground that affairs of the heart are
private affairs-which indeed they
are. But it must be remembered
that where an individual accepts
the rights, prerogatives and priv
ileges of official position, he accepts
at the same time certain definite
responsibilities In the case of a
foreign service officer, his accept
ance of the government title makes
him at once and the same time a
part of that government in most
peculiar way. Because foreigners do
not understand our government any
better than we understand foreign
governments, when an American
foreign service officer speaks, he
speaks actually as the American
government. One need not amplify
this further than to say, therefore,
one of that officials responsibilities
is to carry out policy. National pol
icy can be arranged only at its
proper sources, namely, the Pres
ident and the Department of State.
So, while budding romances may
be blighted, heartaches may arise,
soft lights in the eyes of men and
maidens may be dinmed by the
cruel and cold words of official regu-
lations, it needs must be said that
the welfare of a great nation must
supersede the personal desires of a
lonely man for mate.
Thus, where any of our American
diplomats or consular officers here
after feel they cannot tread LIES
highway without the accompaniment
of foreign-born princess of their
dreams, they simply will have to
resign from their jobs and bring the
lady home.
g Western Newspaper Union.