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V. A DIALOGUE ON PEACE BETWEEN A HOUSEHOLDER AND A BURGLAR

VI. STAND FAST, YE FREE!

VII. PAX HUMANA

FOREWORD

This brief series of chapters is not a tale

"Of moving accidents by flood and field,
Of hair-breadth 'scapes i' the imminent deadly breach."

Some dangers I have passed through during the last three years, but
nothing to speak of.

Nor is it a romance in the style of those thrilling novels of secret
diplomacy which I peruse with wonder and delight in hours of relaxation,
chiefly because they move about in worlds regarding which I have no
experience and little faith.

There is nothing secret or mysterious about the American diplomatic
service, so far as I have known it. Of course there are times when, like
every other honestly and properly conducted affair, it does not seek
publicity in the newspapers. That, I should suppose, must always be a
fundamental condition of frank and free conversation between governments
as between gentlemen. There is a certain kind of reserve which is
essential to candor.

But American diplomacy has no picturesque meetings at midnight in the
gloom of lonely forests; no confabulations in black cellars with bands
of hireling desperadoes waiting to carry out its decrees; no disguises,
no masks, no dark lanterns--nothing half so exciting and melodramatic.
On the contrary, it is amazingly plain and straightforward, with plenty
of hard work, but always open and aboveboard. That is the rule for the
diplomatic service of the United States.

Its chief and constant aims are known to all men. First, to maintain
American principles and interests, and to get a fair showing for them in
the world. Second, to preserve and advance friendly relations and
intercourse with the particular nation to which the diplomat is sent.
Third, to promote a just and firm and free peace throughout the world,
so that democracy everywhere may live without fear.

It was the last of these three aims that acted as the main motive in my
acceptance of President Wilson's invitation to go out as American
Minister to the Netherlands and Luxembourg in the summer of 1913. It was
pleasant, of course, to return for a while to the land from which my
ancestors came so long ago. It seemed also that some useful and
interesting work might be done to forward the common interests and
ideals of the United States and the Netherlands--that brave,
liberty-loving nation from which our country learned and