A WOMAN DIPLOMAT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17215, 18 January 1918, Page 8

A WOMAN DIPLOMAT

Mrs Darley Livingstone was one of the s ; x British representatives at tho recent Conference at The Haguo 0:1 prisoners of war. Of her personality and qualifications tho Daily Mail (London) Mrs Darley Livingstono, tho first woman to sit at a tablo of diplomatic negotiation, successfully devoted all her not inconsiderable diplomatic talent to diverting conversation from her unique experience. Young, charming, vivacious, and American, married to a British officer, she lias been a member and hon. secretary of the Government Committee on the Treatment by the Enemy of British Prisoners ever since it was formed two years ago. Until then sho had never taken part m public- work of any kind. To-day sho hae at command tho vast detail of a far-reaching and highly confidential organisation, and can produce at a moment's notice the record of experiences of every British subject who lias been a prisoner in any theatre of war. There is probably no ono in England to-day wJjo has a inoro extensive knowledge of tho actual conditions in prisoners' camps in Germany and el6Cwhere. In the early days of the war. Mrs Livingstono used herself to do all tho liJnterviiew.Yig of tho aick and wounded prisoners who were returned periodically; to-day it. is done by a largo staff of voluntary workers. But she etill makes a point of personally interviewing all escaped prisoners of war. Her daily office hours are from 10 to 7.30, and tho nearest approach to a holiday she lias had in two years were her recent visit to Tho Haguo and two official trips to Switzerland. "Yes, people did seem surprised to find a woman among tho British representatives," she said to a reporter. "I am sure I don't know why, because there is really nothing that women are not doing in England 'to-day, is there? I had no means of tolling what tho German representatives thought, because, of courso, wo didn't talk to each other—not socially, I mean. Indeed, it would be quite impossible to givo vou an adequate idea of tho extreme formality of tho proceedings. "I was there merely to assist Sir Robert Younger, our chairman, with information which as secretary of the committee I naturally have at'command. Tt was real hard work all tho time, and both parties were concerned folely with tho welfuro of the prisoners. Questions concerning them wore the onlv ones discussed, and I think tho agreements concluded will bo found to be very satisfactory- Tho only other thing T can toll you is that with Baron Van Vrodonburch. the Dutch diplomatist who prpsidod, wo woro 13 in number. But, of course, I'm not a bit really."