Polite

A note, a diplomatic note, was sent to the Persian Government by Secretary of State Hughes. Diplomatic conversations are, of course, polite to excess ; they have also been defined as "veiled menaces." Hear, then, the substance of a truly diplomatic note, sent when Persia, after hemming and hawing, had finally executed the murderers of a U. S. Consul:

"The United States Government is gratified. It is gratified because Persia passed sentences on those who murdered our Consul Imbrie. It acknowledges the payment by the Persian Government of $60,000 to Mr. Imbrie's widow. It calls attention to the fact that there is one question outstanding between the two Governments, namely, that Persia will reimburse our Government for the expense of sending a warship to bring home Mr. Imbrie's body. The Persian Government has already agreed to this. It is anticipated that this cost will approximate $110,000.

"Therefore, the U. S. Government proposes that 'the Persian Government's undertaking in this matter be carried out by the establishment of a trust fund to be utilized for the education of Persian students at institutions of higher learning in the United States.' "

Again the generous gesture, the truly diplomatic move, the spirit of friendliness with which John Hay, at the time of the Boxer Rebellion, finding the sum of the indemnity awarded in excess of legitimate claims, returned the balance in the form of a similar fund for Chinese students.