OLD DIPLOMACY DEFENDED

Evening Star, Issue 18159, 27 December 1922, Page 6

OLD DIPLOMACY DEFENDED

NEW STYLE MORE COSTLY AND MENACING. The material for the historian of_ the eighties and nineties of last century is accumulating rapidly. The latest contributor to the storo is Sir James Rcniioil ItotM, ■who began bis diplomatic career in 'Berlin and brought it to highly honorable conclusion in 1919 as British Ambassador in Rome. Between the year 1883, in which lie entered the Foreign Office, and 1919 much more has befallen than ihc roost confident Radical could have dreamed of (says the ‘ Daily Telegraph’). Many things which seemed permanent and unassailable have passed away, and since the world will heed them no more Sir James tools himself justified in depicting the workings of diplomacy as ho saw and practised it. , , . , , In May, 1884, ho had the good luck to be appointed to the Embassy at Berlin. Lord Ampthvll, the Ambassador, died within a few months and was succeeded by fair Edward Malet, whose coming to Berlin coincided with the growth of German colonial ambitions. The facts are now well known, hut Sir James, in relating the circumstance, writes: “Of all the methods of Bisniavclciau diplomacy employed at ill is time none was more discreditable than the deliberate deception practised not only on the British, but also on the German public, by the White Book on colonial questions^which was issued in the beginning of 1885. BISMARCK’S SINISTER FIGURE.

The White Book turned _on a despatch which was never communicated jo the British Secretary for Foreign Affaire, / it was the old trick of the, fait accompli, inevitably the sinister figure of Bismarck broods over these Berlin chapters, and a curious sidelight is thrown on Bio temperament of the man by tbc account ot his calling at the Embassy to leave cards on the Queen’s Birthday. The Ambassador wat .not at homo, and ho asked to see Lady Malet. She came down not a. little perturbed at such an unusual occurrence as a visit from the Chancellor, who seldom paid such attention to ladies. , . Ho began by repeating his congratulations on the anniversary, and appealed to be in the genial humor which so well became him when ho chose to display it. then,, quite suddenly, his manner .changed, and his tac| assumed that angry and almost malignant look that boded storm, and ho said that ho had had something besides congratulatory messages io convey to tho As the latter was not at home, lio would say R to her, and she would repeat his words. I want him to know,” ho said, speaking in English, “and I want your countrymen to know that it was J, and I alone, who made this (Wiu-an Empire. It was my solo work. And how do you think I accomplished tins? How did I succeed in triumphing over every obstacle and in crushing every man who came in my way?” Ho paused for an answer, repeating his question. Then, as he received no reply, be continued: “ 1 will toll you. All this I achieved throughthrough—what is the word? It is a word tho Irish often use; yes, through cunning, I set one man against another; and again and again I broke them. Well, there was a moment after tho peace at Versailles, when I saw the work of my life crumbling before me after all my efforts. The King " Prussia refused to assume tho position of German Emperor, and I was in despair. But once more my cunning stood me in good stead. I set one man. against another. I told him that if he would not agree to tho proposals there was another sovereign who would, and that I should address myself to the King of Bavaria. That settled tho issue.” METHODS COMPARED. Illuminating as such a passage is, the interest even of tho chapters on Berlin lies chiefly in their portrayal of the life and manners of the day, of ceremony and Court etiquette, which have vanished with, eo many other of tho pomps extinguished by the Great War. As regards whatsis sometimes called the old diplomacy, Sir James considers that much of the facile critioisin of it has been unnecessary and unreflecting. His defence of it is well put. From his observations during thirty-seven years of diplomatic life ho considers that, on the whole, the diplomats kept their Governments very well informed. -Repeatedly he has seen friction avoided by the tact and skill _of the .professional negotiator in interpreting instructions and waiting upon opportunity, and he doubts whether a new diplomacy, dictated largely by tho Pirns, i and _ negotiations handled by Ministers inevitably in a, hurry in forty-oight-hour conferences are likely to lead to ’better results and a more cordial spirit in international relations. Experience lead# him to see advantage an a buffer, intermediate between the protagonists with whom ultimate decision lies.

Sir James, indeed, goes further, and prophesies that the new diplomacy is likely to prove in tho long run more costly, more insidious, and probably more menacing to a good understanding between the nations. His xea/son for so thinking is not dictated wholly by prejudice. Ho holds that so long ns Governments with a definite end in view acted through a skilful accredited agent, bis intrigues, if ho attempted’ any, were not difficult for those who knew their business to detect. “But the weapon of aggression of tho new diplomacy will bo a subtle propaganda, a seduction of the organs of publicity, often unporceived by ii» victims, and an elaborate process of suggestion aimed at misleading the masses.” Such circumstances would certainly seem to call more than ever for tho trained observer—however bo be named l —with experience of the mentality and temperament of other countries. The only intrigue of which Sir Janies is consciously guilty is that by which the Queen was induced to intervene in the proposal of tho Roman municipality to suppress entirely the cemetery in which Keats and Severn are buried. This ho did when ho was still a young man .at Berlin. Later ho was to preserve Shelley’s ashes from disturbance.