As long as the nations have any dealings with each other as nations, so
long will it be necessary for them to have representatives, honored and
trusted by those who receive them as well as those who send them, at
each other’s capitals. It might almost be said that they exist for the
prevention of business—the business arising from misunderstandings—for
their primary duty is, while representing their own nation with dignity
and reserve, to cultivate friendly relations with the power to which
they are accredited, as far as circumstances will allow. To do this they
interpret the public acts of their own government as it wishes to be
understood, and are frequently entrusted with large discretionary powers
for this purpose. Moreover, they expedite business and help to avoid
annoyances in a very large measure. The government at Washington, for
instance, wishes to know the attitude of the government at Berlin upon a
certain matter without making it too formal or exaggerating its
importance, and accordingly application is made at once either to the
German ambassador residing at Washington or to the American ambassador
in Berlin, either of whom, if it lies within his discretion, gives the
desired information. If the whole thing is quietly done, so as to escape
general notice, it saves needless wild guessing as to what it all means;
and this is greatly to be desired when things are in an acute stage, if
not at other times. The recent triumph of the “open door” policy in
China was accomplished in this quiet, effective way.
It will be observed that the modern conception of the function of a
diplomat makes him a resident of the country of his embassage during the
time of his appointment. Moreover, that he is not sent on any stated
errand, as for instance, the negotiation of a treaty, or as a member of
an international congress. This latter, to be sure, is diplomatic
business, but the agents employed are usually termed commissioners.