Evening star., 1943-01-10
Ambassador FIvnn

II is oy no means surprising that
the self-announced elevation of Ed
ward ]. Flynn to diplomatic rank
should have been received with
something less than unrestrained
enthusiasm in Washington.
Mr.. Flynn is the chairman of the
Democratic National Committee and
a long time political associate of the
president. But heretofore it had not
been supposed that he was we'll quail
fed for the duties which he says Mr..
Roosevelt has in mind for him.
AS yet the White House has not
said that any diplomatic post is to
be given MI. Flynn. But, speaking
on his own behalf, the Democratic
chairman told reporters in New York
that the President has appointed
me his Ambassador and personal
representative and will send to the
Senate on Monday my nomination as
Minister Plenipotentiary to Aus
tralia." For budding diplomatist,
this was something of a blunder,
since 1t is not customary for presi-
Dental appointees to beat the PreSi-
dent to the punch in making such
announcements, and there have been
indications that Mr. Flynn's impetu-
oSity has occaSioned some annoyance
at the White House.
Certainly, his announcement has
caused confusion and concern in
other circles. From the language
used by Mr. Flynn, it appears that
he Is to have something of a dual
status-flrst, as sort of rowing Am
bassador and personal representative
OF the President, and, second, a
formal assignment as Minister to
Australia, where we already have a
very capable representative in the
person of Minister Nelson T.
Johnson.
In these circumstances, it can
not be determined what duties will
devolve upon Mr. Flynn if ana when
he is nominated and confirmed, al
though it may be supposed that the
President would clarity this phase
OF the matter upon sending the
nomination to the Senate. There
will be ground for apprehension,
however, should it develop that Mr..
Flynn is to take over the actual
handling of our delicate diplomatic
relations with Australia, plus a row.
ing diplomatic assignment in the
South Pacific.
The post Of Minister to Australia,
at this particular time, is an un-
usually important and difficult one.
The war has created new and trying
problems, and the questions arising
between the two countries call for
skillful handling. If there is some
reason which requires the replace
ment OF Mr.. Johnson, it would seem
that his successor ought to be chosen
solely on the basis of his qualifca-
tions as diplomat tist, and that pref
erably he should be a career man.
MIR. Flynn's background consists
of an extensive and varied career in
New York politics and brief service
as head of the Democratic National
Committee, in which capacity he
helped direct the Presidents sue
cessful campaign for a third term.
If there is anything in this which
qualities him for an important dip
lomatic post it does not meet the eye.
1t has been the custom in times
past to bestow diplomatic appoint
ments as reward for political serv-
ice, but President Roosevelt has
been credited with trying to break
away from this undesirable practice.
If he proposes to return to it now,
especially under tie circumstances
prevailing in this irs%2nce, his de-
cision can be construed only as a
subordination Of an about war ef-
fort to the interests of an extremely
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