Diplomatic Etiquette and Ambassadors

“M.Paul Claudel, the French ambassador, like all ambassadors, must never be kept waiting. That is an old White House rule. It was the duty of the White House force to speed him to the President, and also to avoid if possible, any hint to him, that he arrived when he shouldn't.” M. Paul Claudel was not only a diplomat, but a French playwright and a poet.– Public domain image of M. Paul Claudel

WASHINGTON, Nov. 22.—A neat little problem in official etiquette has been avoided at the White House because President - elect Roosevelt’s visit to Washington today is an informal one. If a White House reception or dinner party had been by any chance planned, social “precedence’’ experts say that the distinguished visitor’s status would be strictly that of governor of New York state and nothing more. In other words cabinet members would socially outrank him at such a function. However, senators would not. President-elect Roosevelt's overnight stay here will be the first in some time. He turned down a 10 room proferred suite at the Mayflower hotel for a “kitchenette suites,” one with a bedroom, small breakfast room and kitchenette. Last spring the President-elect and Mrs. Roosevelt were in Washington for a dinner given by President Hoover to governors who had attended the Richmond. Va., conference of state executives. They occupied a small suite at the Mayflower hotel, but did not stay overnight, leaving here at 1 a. m. for New York. 

The list of President Hoover’s appointments for the day came out as usual yesterday— 11:45 a.m., Representative French; 12 noon, Representative Britten; 12:15 p.m., the French ambassador. The latter however upset the routine by coming just one hour early, although he may not yet know it. M.Paul Claudel, the French ambassador, like all ambassadors, must never be kept waiting. That is an old White House rule. It was the duty of the White House force to speed him to the President, and also to avoid if possible, any hint to him, that he arrived when he shouldn't. Pat McKenna, the usher, whisked the ambassador to Theodore Joslin, presidential secretary. “Just a moment, Mr. Ambassador.” said Joslin, bowing himself into the Presidential office, where Mr. Hoover was busy with problems of government. A moment later he returned. “Just step inside,” he said. And M. Claudel, still blithely ignorant of his prematureness stepped inside and paid his respects to the President, as new temporary dean of the diplomatic corps. “Any war debts talk,” Mr. Ambassador," chorused reporters when he came out. “War debts? Non, non, non, ’ he said, shaking his head. “I am just paying my respects. I have a hollow hat. Empty inside —I’m just dean of the corps.” – United Press International, 1932

🍽Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia 

Usual Protocol Broken for Royalty

Presidential diplomacy took a unique turn when the Roosevelts entertained the King and Queen of England with hot dogs and beans served on paper plates, even though Americans can pleaded him not to do so! — “Hot Dog Au Fait – Since the King and Queen of England ate hot dogs at Hyde Park, there has been a sudden spurt in the sale of the ten-cent delicacies at the New York World’s Fair. They are being consumed at the rate of nearly 60,000 a day.”– National City Star-News, September 1, 1939

Rulers Enjoy Hot Dogs and Picnic Beans

Mrs. Roosevelt Serves Them on Paper Plates in Beautiful Hyde Park Grounds

KING TRIES HOT DOG AND ASKS FOR MORE

And He Drinks Beer With Them

Uses Own Camera to Snap Guests Photographing Him

HYDE PARK, N. Y., June 11. King George VI ate his first hot dog, was chauffeured by the President of the United States, and turned his own hand motion-picture camera against his photographers at a typical Roosevelt picnic party today on the slope of Dutchess Hill, where the Chief Executive's new stone cottage provided an informal backdrop for a high point of the visit of the British sovereigns with the nation’s First Family.

No reporters were present and regular photographers were barred from the party but every one present had a camera, and a detailed report of the party was given afterward by Michael J. McDermott, State Department liaison officer, who told how Mr. Roosevelt drove his own specially equipped automobile up Dutchess Hill from Hyde Park House with the King and Queen as his passengers. 

The King himself clinched the informality of the outing by going swimming with the President in the swimming with the President in the spring-fed tile pool on the lawn of Mrs. Roosevelt’s Val Kill cottage, across the road from the family home. There were no other swimmers, other guests who came from the picnic to have tea at the Val Kill cottage remaining about the lawn.

After the swim the President, accompanied by the King and Queen and his daughter-in-law, Mrs. James Roosevelt, completed the afternoon by motoring down to the Hudson River banks of the Hyde. Park estate to view the first-growth timber in which the Chief Executive takes great pride. The group returned to the family home at 6:10 P. M. to prepare for dinner.

It was disclosed, meanwhile, that the King had gone swimming at the White House with the President on Friday afternoon in the pool in the west wing of the mansion. This occurred after the Friday afternoon tea given on the south lawn of the White House, it was explained. 

The picnic was a big event for all concerned and the King and Queen rounded out a most democratic interlude shaking hands with the retainers of the Roosevelt homestead from the family cook, Miss Mary Campbell, to the keeper of the roads, Frank Drice, who was on hand with nine of his ten children. It would be difficult to imagine a more representative cross section of American democracy than was to be found among the relatives, friends and neighbors of the Roosevelts who received invitations to the picnic.

Nor is it likely that the subjects of the King and Queen will often see their sovereigns in such an informal mood. The King was attired in a dark brown sport coat and dark gray slacks with light colored shirt and four-in-hand tie, while the Queen wore a challis print with a light gray background.

Completing her costume was a gray straw hat with high crown. and straight, narrow brim trimmed in flowers. She wore gray stockings and slippers. There was one large gardenia on her left shoulder, the only ornament with which the Queen minimized the in formality of her attire.

The hundred and fifty persons invited to the picnic had been told not to extend their hands in meeting the King and Queen nor on being presented to the President and Mrs. Roosevelt and his mother. The Royal visitors set the tempo of the afternoon, however, by offering their hands to the first third of those in the reception line and the Roosevelts followed suit. Near the end this was abandoned at the President’s wish in deference to the fatigue which the Royal visitors have undergone on their long trip, and the guests bowed instead when presented.

The President's mother, Mrs. James Roosevelt, mingled freely with all the guests and occasionally left her table on the cottage porch to go down among the trees which grow in profusion in front of the President’s retreat overlooking the Hudson River about three miles from the cast bank. 

Tables Set Up on the Porch

The royal visitors and the other principal guests did not have to hold paper plates in their laps. Tables had been arranged for them about the front porch under its gently sloping Dutch colonial roof. At the first table were seated the President, Queen Elizabeth, Mrs. Herbert H. Lehman and Secretary Morgenthau. 

At the No. 2 table were the King, the President's mother, Governor Lehman and Mrs. Morgenthau. Sir Ronald Lindsay, the British Ambassador, did the honors at the third table, around which sat Mrs. Vincent Astor, Mrs. Henry St. George Tucker, wife of the presiding American Episcopal Bishop, and the Canadian Prime Minister, W. L. Mackenzie King.

Lady Lindsay, wife of the Ambassador; Mrs. Price Collier, sister of the President's mother; Bishop Tucker and Gerald Morgan were at the fourth table. At the next were Mrs. Morgan, Lady Nunburnholme, the chief Lady-in-Waiting to the Queen; the Earl of Eldon, Lord-in-Waiting to the King, and Lydig Hoyt.

Mrs. Myron Taylor was at the sixth table with Mrs. Lydig Hoyt, the Earl of Airlie, Lord Chamberlain, to the Queen, and Lieut. Col. the Hon. Piers W. Legh, equerry to the King.

Lady Katharine Seymour, Lady-in Waiting to the Queen, was at table No. 7 with Mrs. Tracy Dows, Major Henry Hooker, a long-time friend of the Roosevelts, and James Roosevelt, eldest son of the President, whose wife joined her mother-in law, Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt, in going from table to table and among the guests on the lawn to see that all were comfortable in their folding chairs.

King Enjoys the Fare

It was with some obvious misgivings that Mr. McDermott first conceded, in answer to questions, that the King had eaten hot dogs at the picnic. He said that it was safe to assume that the King had done so since he had announced that he had been looking forward to the chance of sampling the favorite American snack.

Later it was ascertained that the King not only came back for more hot-dog sandwiches but that he drank beer with them, the beer being served from a tap manned by experts from near-by Poughkeepsie.

Added to the picnic fare were cold ham from various sections of the country, smoked and plain roast turkey, lettuce and tomato salad, soft drinks, hot and iced coffee and iced tea. The orange and lime soda pop seemed the favorite beverage of those who stood or sat about the lawn or amid the shade trees, although a number of guests followed the example of the King and drank beer.

The President was attired in a light gray suit and wore a four-in-hand tie at the party. His mother did not change from the costume she wore at the church services in the morning and appeared at the picnic in the same white figured dress with black background.

The President, accompanied by the Queen in the front seat of his open car, and with Mrs. James Roosevelt beside the King in the rear seat, left Hyde Park House about 1 o’clock, Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt had gone on ahead to complete preparations at the cottage. The dusty dirt roads leading up to the Dutchess Hill cottage were alive with army regulars standing at attention as the President’s car passed by. Portable telephones had been posted on trees along the roads to signal the approach of the party.

Entertained by Indians

It was not until a few minutes before 4 o’clock that the party left the Dutchess Hill cottage to again motor down the hill, with the President at the wheel of the first car, to the Val Kill cottage of Mrs. Roosevelt for the tea at which the President and the King found the opportunity for their swim.

A feature of the picnic was a typically American entertainment program at which two native Indians alternately gave interpretative readings on Indian folk lore and the tribal songs of a by-gone age.

Princess Te-Ata did the readings. much to the delight of the royal visitors, and Ish-Ti-Opi American. Indian baritone, gave the songs. Edward Pflegler played the piano, and Kurucks Pahitu, another Indian, the tom-toms. The Indian artists were dressed in full tribal regalia.

Near the end of the party the King noticed many of the guests. training their cameras on him. Apparently on the theory that sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander the King picked up his own hand camera and photographed his photographers. He had been using the camera earlier to take pictures of the Indian entertainers.

Among the happiest guests of the Roosevelts at the picnic were the ten women members of the White House executive staff who were singled out by the President to be introduced to the King and Queen. They included Miss Marguerite Le Hand, his private secretary; Miss Malvina C. Thompson, secretary to Mrs. Roosevelt; Mrs. James M. Helm, White House social secretary; Miss Grace Tully, Miss Roberta Barrows, Miss Louise Hachmeister, Mrs. Mary A. Eben, Miss Toinette Bachelder, Mrs. Dorothy J. Brady and Miss Edith L. Rowley. – The New York Times, June 1939 and the National City Star News, 1939

🍽Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia

Ping-Pong Diplomacy in 1971

American table tennis player, Glen Cowan (bottom left), who caught the ride on the Chinese team’s bus, along with the other U.S. table tennis players in China – on the cover of Time magazine, in April 1971

Ping-Pong Diplomacy

When an American competitor at the 1971 World Table Tennis Championships in Nagoya, Japan, missed his team bus back to the hotel, he set off one of the biggest tectonic shifts of diplomacy in world history — and triggered the end of the Cold War.

Jumping on to the Chinese team’s bus instead to catch a ride, one of the Chinese athletes broke strict protocol by handing him a gift of a silk cloth depicting the famous Huangshan Mountains.

When the bus arrived back at the hotel, journalists were astonished to see the two players chatting. Their photographs of this rare meeting of nations dominated news headlines around the world and Mao Zedong, spotting an opportunity, invited the U.S. team to spend a week sightseeing in China.

Capitalising on this new-found good will, President Nixon instigated a visit to Beijing — so began the defusing of the Cold War, and the term Ping-Pong Diplomacy was coined.– Christian Howgill for the Mail Online, June 17, 2022

Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia

Will Rogers on Washington Etiquette

Henry Lewis Stimson, was an American statesman, lawyer and politician. Over his long career, he emerged as a leading figure in the foreign policy of the United States, serving in Republican and Democratic administrations. He served as Secretary of War (1911–1913) under President Taft, Secretary of State (1929–1933) under President Hoover, and Secretary of War (1940–1945) under both Presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt and Truman.

Rogers Remarks About Social Ratings 

NEW YORK, April 3. (To the Editor of The Sun): We used to brag on the fact that, unlike England, we had no different classes or ratings in this country, and here Secretary Stimson is called on to referee a bout in Washington’s table etiquette. Washington can't go out to dinner till they decide who shall sit next to who at the diplomatic dinners. They ought to feed ‘em Los Angeles style, slip everybody a plate and if they can't find the grub, why he wouldn't be much of a diplomat. I attended a gridiorn dinner where the President was, and they seated the diplomats according to what they owe us. England, France, Belgium and Italy were near the President, and the nations that didn't owe us a cent were at the foot of the table. I told ‘em “You all better borrow something or you will never meet Coolidge.” Yours, Will Rogers in the San Bernardino Sun, 1929

Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia

Diplomacy vs School of Insults

In the world arena, our Secretary of State, thanks to a few blunt words, has so infuriated Canada that I am prepared to hear that our Northern neighbor is contemplating a wall to keep our dollars in and our citizens out. As for “le Grand Charles,” he has recently been so busy insulting his friends that he has had no time to dust off his enemies.

An ‘Insult School’?

The President of the United States has asked Congress to establish a National Academy of Foreign Affairs to train American diplomats just as diplomacy by insult appears to have reached its finest flower both here and abroad. Plain speech or the knuckle-duster approach in forcing relations has in recent weeks raised the hackles on nations that were, at least on the surface, kissin’s cousins. In the world arena, our Secretary of State, thanks to a few blunt words, has so infuriated Canada that I am prepared to hear that our Northern neighbor is contemplating a wall to keep our dollars in and our citizens out. As for “le Grand Charles,” he has recently been so busy insulting his friends that he has had no time to dust off his enemies. Khrushchev has violently denounced the Franco-West German rapprochement. And the third Afro-Asian Peoples Solidarity Conference, just to keep in practice, used the most insulting language to condemn Great Britain, France, the United States, the United Nations, Israel, Portugal and South Africa, to name a few. 

To Perfect The Insult? 

In suggesting a National Academy of Foreign Affairs, it is difficult to know whether the President is contemplating the perfection of the new insult technique or a return to old-fashioned diplomacy, once described as the ability “to do and say the nastiest things in the nicest way.” That ability “to do and say the nastiest things in the nicest way” kept the world wagging along on an uneven keel for centuries during which diplomacy was conducted behind closed doors. It was the rapier vs. the bludgeon approach, that has come to characterize “open diplomacy openly arrived at.” The demand for “open diplomacy openly arrived at” developed out of World War I, in a misguided belief that this was the only way to conduct foreign affairs in a democratic manner. In recent years, there has been a growing belief that perhaps a few closed doors in the conduct of foreign affairs is not a bad idea and that maybe — for once – Grandpa knew best. 

It Hasn't Worked Yet 

No one can honestly claim that open diplomacy openly arrived at has evened the world’s keel, prevented wars or endeared nations to one another in any noticeable degree. Probably its most notable contribution to the conduct of world affairs has been the introduction of the shoe as a diplomatic weapon or equalizer. Surely this nation has also reached a maturity that demands that the two major political parties stop regarding the big and important foreign posts as political plums. For 100 years diplomatic appointments to such foreign posts as London, Paris, Rome, Madrid and even Berlin – in the old days – have been handed out by Republicans and Democrats alike as rewards to the rich party faithfuls who contribute handsomely to the party war chests. The going price of London and Paris was pegged at a contribution of $50,000 some 30 years ago. How inflation has affected the asking price knoweth not. But is surely a preposterous way to run a railroad or a diplomatic service. – Inez Robb, 1963

Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia 

Precedent and Etiquette

The case is unprecedented of ladies of official rank visiting the Old World alone," but in lands where precedent and official etiquette are so important it is no laughing matter!

A Matter of Precedent 

Mrs. J. R. McKee and Mrs. Russell Harrison, daughter and daughter-in-law of the president, are now in England and enjoying themselves hugely by ail accounts. The American reader is inclined to smile at the cablegram to the effect that our diplomats abroad are greatly embarrassed, as "the case is unprecedented of ladies of official rank visiting the Old World alone," but in lands where precedent and official etiquette are so important it is no laughing matter. The ladies will visit Paris and Berlin also, and no matter what ceremony is observed there is, as Abraham Lincoln used to say, "No doubt but we shall be able to keep house." — Los Angeles Herald, 1891

Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia 

Etiquette and Diplomatic Ethics

The sinking of the U.S.S. Maine: While the incident is still fresh in the memory of the people, our Secretary of State has seen fit to give a public dinner, and to include in the list of invited guests the Spanish Minister at Washington!

Disgusting Subserviency

The ethics of Diplomacy seem to have no limitations. While the dead of the Maine were being fished out of the slime of Havana harbor, our ambassador at the Spanish Court was engaged in wining and dining and toasting the Ministers and Diplomats of that country.

So outraged was the American sense of propriety over this incident that public sentiment was voiced in a Congressional resolution of censure, which, although not adopted, at least served to emphasize the universal conviction that good taste did not call for any such demonstration at that time.

Yet, while the incident is still fresh in the memory of the people, our Secretary of State has seen fit to give a public dinner, and to include in the list of invited guests the Spanish Minister at Washington.

While the wine was being passed around at Sherman's Washington home, the wife of Minister Woodford was hurrying out of Spain, and the consuls of this government in Cuba were being concentrated at Havana, ready to flee for their lives upon the first announcement of a break in Diplomatic intercourse, a precaution never before deemed requisite in dealings between recognized civilized nations.

If diplomatic etiquette demands any such sacrifices of national dignity to have been laid at the doors of Minister Woodford and Secretary Sherman, it will be conceded that they are in sore need of revision. — Los Angeles Herald, 1898

Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia

Etiquette and Diplomacy Gone Awry

Baron Saverio Fava founded the Italian Ministry in Washington, D.C.. He served as the first Italian Ambassador of the then recently unified Italy to the U.S. from 1881-1893. As Ambassador, Baron Fava also served as the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps. Prior to service in the U.S., Fava served Italy as an Ambassador in Brazil and Romania.

The Baron vs the Lieutenant

“A Story of American Independence and Official Etiquette” ???

The Washington Capital publishes the following story of Lieutenant Lucien Young, the naval officer who is not permitted to publish his book on Hawaii, because it is considered to reflect on the record of the Cleveland administration. That scene of the present incident is laid during the Harrison regime, when Benjamin P. Tracy was Secretary of the Navy.
             
It was Lieutenant Young, according to the story, who a few years ago offered to teach Baron Fava, the Italian Embassador, a lesson in American manners. The international episode was the request made by the Embassador to the Secretary of the Navy for a report upon a subject of great importance to him, which he begged might be delivered the same evening, in order that he could forward it to his Government in the morning mail. Lieutenant Young was detailed to prepare the information. 

He worked all day and all the evening, with only a sandwich and a cup of coffee, excused himself from a dinner party and from an engagement he had made to take some ladies to a ball. The memorandum was completed about midnight, when he got a cab and drove to the Italian legation. It was closed and dark, and no one answered his summons. Then he went to Baron Fava's residence, where he was told that the Embassador was dining out. He went to the house where the dinner had been given and learned that the Baron was at the ball which he himself wanted to attend, but found there the Baron had left a few minutes before.

Then Young gave up the search and went to his club. The first man he saw after entering the door was the Italian Embassador drinking wine with a party of friends. Lieutenant Young approached him with a proper salute and, after a few words of explanation, offered him the. papers. The Baron haughtily declined them. "You impertinent fellow," said he; "why did you follow me all over the town? I am the Embassador of Italy, and I do my business at the legation of my Government. You should have had the papers there before I left this afternoon. Instead of that you disturb my friends by entering their houses and intrude upon my club. I will report your impertinence to the Secretary of the Navy tomorrow."  

Lieutenant Lucien Younger has an interesting and colorful history, complete with a ship being named in his honor and complaints of anti-semitism.

The sea dog from Kentucky was very red in the face by this time, and made the following remarks: "You ungrateful old macaroni-chewing monkey tamer, I am a member of this club and you are only a guest, but if you will come out into the street for five minutes I will teach you a lesson in North American manners. There are the papers I have spent fifteen hours in preparing for you," and he threw them on the table. "You can take them or leave them, as you like." The Baron called upon Secretary Tracy the next day and complained that Lieutenant Young had insulted him. The Secretary sent for the offender, who related the affair as I have told it, including the benediction he had pronounced. The Secretary had pressing business in the next room for a few moments and when he recovered himself asked what the Embassador had to suggest. Baron Fava demanded that the lieutenant be reprimanded. "Consider yourself reprimanded," said the Secretary gravely, and Lieutenant Young bowed and left the room.
—The Washington Capital, 1895

Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber, is the Site Editor  for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia