Diplomatic Protest

When eleven-year-old Johnny Katz heard the news, he stomped upstairs, took out his typewriter and batted out a protest to Washington:

Dear Mr. President,

We were all set to go home in September after two years abroad. Tonight my mother told us my dad has to take over Ambassador Harriman's job and we can't go home except for a two-month visit this summer. Now I ask you, how would you like to be able to go home to America only once for two months in two years?

My brother Bobby and I would be much happier if you could let us go home to stay. Can't you possibly find another man to take his job?

Here in Europe we get to go to many interesting countries and get many advantages that other kids and some grown-ups never had before, but as I said before staying in Europe isn't as much fun as being in America ... I guess it will turn out okay, but anyway I have to stick with Dad in line for my country.

Respectfully yours,

JOHNNY KATZ Son of Ambassador Milton Katz of EGA

Then he mailed the letter and sat back to await developments. Like many such diplomatic protests, his was met with soft evasions. A White House aide announced cagily that the President was taking the protest under personal advisement. Meanwhile, private negotiations were launched in Paris, and an honorable compromise was announced. Johnny's letter had been a "wonderful cathartic," said Mrs. Katz. Then, without going into details, she added : "Johnny's perfectly reconciled to staying now."

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