BRITISH EMBASSY “DRY”

Taranaki Daily News, 8 June 1929, Page 13

BRITISH EMBASSY “DRY”

DECISION IN WASHINGTON

PAPER’S FRANK CRITICISM

‘AMBASSADOR TAKES SIDES’

By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright. Australian Press Association.

United Service. Washington, June 6. Sir Esme Howard, British Ambassador, has informed Mr. Stimson, Secretary of State, of his contemplated action; not to import into the United States any more liquor under diplomatic privileges. The New York Evening Post, in a leader entitled “Sir Esme impairs his usefulness,” comments: “We do not know the motives of Sir Esme How’ard in decreeing that the British Embassy at Washington shall no longer import liquors. He may have done so out of a desire to make a courteous gesture to the ‘United States.

“Unfortunately the change has a, dif.-. i erent public aspect. Willy nilly, it makes the Ambassador take sides ,on the most': pressing question of dbmestjtj American politics. He will not-, only embarrass'his fellow diplomats, but will plunge at. new question of diplomatic; liquor into, the cauldron of the prohibition fight.;- He .will become a syriibol in the fight between the wets and: drie’S.' To one’ faction in the country to which he is accredited he will be a hero; "in' another. part of the population his a'ct will arouse deep resentment.

“An Ambassador should hold no such' political position. Sir Esme has definitely impaired his usefulness as Brit--ish Ambassador to the United States;”